TATARARIKI.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 201, 9 June 1893, Page 5

TATARARIKI.

[From our own Correspondent ] The roads have once more assumed their wintry garb, and king mud reigns everywhere. The slush channel between Te Kopuru and here is impassable for wheeled traffic, and anyone wanting to transport heavy goods from any of the upper townships must do so via Redhill. Pack horses still venture along and I saw a man the other day who said he made the journey on foot. But it is human nature for people to boast of doing the impossible. No doubt Messrs Bassett and Cobbald thought they were doing a good thing for the ratepayers when they advocated the penny rate. —We are dreadfully ungrateful people down this way, and are not at all obliged to them for their, kind intention on our behalf. With roads impassable for nine months of the year, tho want of wharf accommodation, and the Riding up to its eyes in debt, it is inconceivable how they could support such a measure. The Drainage Board excuse, and ‘ a breach of faith ’ etc., and so on, is simply nonsense, There is not a person included within the drainage area but will be benefited many times over and above the amount of drainage rate levied, and some

are reaping that benefit already. The Hobson County Council which numbers among its members so many comparatively well-to do people should be ashamed to go around among the gumdiggers and others equally as poor, and beg for assistance to keep the roads in order, but the voluntary labour dodge is about played out, and the next person who comes down this way on the ‘ cadge ’mayjthink himself lucky if he doesn’t return with a brand new suit of tar and feathers. (Messrs Bassett and Cobbald please make a note of it, and remember that the next County Council elections will take place about the month of November, at which (notwithstanding what I hare written) 1 hope to see you both returned at the head of the poll for your respective districts. A little plain speaking will do neither of you any harm).