MAROPIU.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 183, 3 February 1893, Page 3

MAROPIU.

(From our own Correspondent.) One would not give the gentlemen who are at the head of the Kauri Timber Company credit for being 1 dilatory where their interests are concerned, but it would appear that even these clever magnates are sometimes rather dull. It has suddenly been discovered that the timber used for making the sleepers which have lately been sent from this district belong to the K.T.C., whereas the natives have been receiving royalty for it. An inspector of the K.T.C’s staff appeared upon the scene the other day and told the contractor “to shift a sleeper at his peril,” or in other words “ not to shift them.” Now this Inspector evidently has the interests of his employers ait heart, for he advised (only advised) the contractor to work for another month or two until the “ powers that be ”of the Company decided how to act. The contractor hazarded the remark that he might lose his labour, and the Inspector admitted he might do so, but still persisted in his advice. Samivel said it “ waru’t good enough-”

The other day “ your own” had occasion to travel over the road leading from this place to Dargaville, when on coming to a place which had been an almost impassable quagmire for months, and where more than one borse and rider have come to grief, how great was my satisfaction at finding the place repaired, fascines laid down and earth on top. At last, said I, the Councillors for this riding are awakening to a sense of their duty ; at last our wants are to be attended to ; at last a better day has dawned ; hurrah for the Councillors. Alas ! alas ! I shortly found out that neither the Councillors or the Council had anything to do with the matter. A private individual had done the repairs for his own and the public benefit. “Oh ! what a fall was there my countrymen.” I was glad to see the letter from Mr Slade in your columns some time back, anent the swallowing up of the Wairoa Riding by Okahu. Mr Slade made one slight error, however, which he must pardon me for correcting. He said that the ‘ Maropiu correspondent asked if the Aratapu riding was well repesented.” Pardon me, I distinctly stated (or meant to) and I repeat that statement without fear of contradiction, that the rate-bearing portion of this riding is totally ignored. Once again, with your permission Mr Editor, and for the last time I appeal to the two gentlemen who represent this riding, to throw aside their local ideas and see justice done. ’Tis nothing short of a miracle that there has not been serious accidents at that structure known as the Taita bridge. It has been stated by those high in authority in the Council that the Council is net responsible for this structure, and would not te liable should an accident occur. Is this correct do you think Mr Editor ? That structure (the highest flight of imagination could not call it a bridge) was erected at the expense of the Council for the use of the public, and passed by the County engineer. Who are responsible for its safe keeping ? The question of what to do with the shoals of Austrians who are now over-running the gum fields in this district, and what to do to prevent more coming is agitating the minds of the spade and spear force of British descent not a little. A heavy poll tax is suggested, but one of our rising sparks suggests poll-axing as more effectual, Now Mr Houston, now’s your chance. How to exclude importation of foreign workmen from this colony, is a more subject weghty than how to exclude the importation of foreign sleepers. Rouse up R.M.H., there’s a chance for you yet, a small one no doubt, of your again signing yourself R.M.H., M.H.R. Ructions at Maropiu ! The other evening a party of jovial spirits returning from the Hotel passed a house where there was another party of the same assembled. They demanded admittance, but were refused. A consultation was then held by the outsiders and they went off some distance in a direct line with the door. “ Charge !” said the leader, ''Charge for the door!” The o,vner of the dwelling and the other inmates meanwhile were listening at tho door to hear what was going on, I leave my readers to imegine the result. Most of the pieces have been found.