MAUNGATUROTO.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 178, 30 December 1892, Page 2

MAUNGATUROTO.

[from OUR cws (JORRESPON V EXT]. A. public meeting of the ratepayers of the Wairau riding was held in the schoolroom on Saturday evening, 17th December. Mr J. Smith, councillor for this riding, occupied the chair, and in a few words stated the object of the meeting, which was to consider the question of closing a portion of the old j Mareretu homestead road. It appears in this instance a deviation has been made so as to avoid certain steep places, but through some mismanagement on the part of the Survey department the said deviation has not been gazetted. Mr Davies, through whose property both road lines run, objects to the two roads now that ho is about to clear and fence his land, but offers to give the new road free of any expense by way of compensation, providing the old one is legally closed, but to comply with the act it was necessary to call a public meeting of the ratepayers, and decide the matter by vote. After some discussion, and also explanations being given for the benefit of those who were not acquainted with the said roads, Mr Sykes moved and Mr W. Chadw-in seconded that as the new road line had been graded and had also had a considerable sum of money spent upon it; that it should he adopted, and the old line which was too steep even to be made a road should be closed. The motion as above was carried, there being no opposition. If one may judge by the interest taken in the public meetings lately held here, it would appear that the ratepayers are at last becoming alive to the fact that it is high time they insisted upon the public money being spent on permanent works, and not frittered away upon roads that are certain to have to be objected to in a few years time, as has hitherto too often been the case for the sake of saving a few pounds just for the present time, Sheep seem to bo doing much better this year as regards being healthy and free from worms. Most of our flock owners are now busy dipping. The question as to the best dip to use is as yet unsettled, as opinions on this matter seem to differ very much. The dips being so numerous it is somewhat difficult to make a choice ; even our sheep inspector when asked seemed at a loss as to whose to recommend.