ARAPOHUE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 206, 14 July 1893, Page 8

ARAPOHUE.

There is lit'le I con hear of worth recording. Most people are obliged to keep close r.<> home, ’women folk are regular prisoners owing to the slop and mud ; and roads, are something to avoid unless urgency requires. I euppose it is a matter of time and patience till we get better facilities for travel : we have an abundance of excellent material —limestone, pipeclay and burnt clay. When we consider the amount of time and labour involved in travelling over a deep muddy road, would it not be more beneficial to expend that -unprofitable energy, in summertime by carting material which would serve like a raft to enable you to cross a river. Government most certainly should be urged to give more assistance to County Councils north of Auckland. It is time that the public mind was thoroughly aroused to the vital importance of improving our means of getting about. At a time of year when people have more energy for work and inclination for travel they are forced in a great measure to remain dormant ; and our horses which are expensive to keep, can be but little utilised. •The Mititai flat, which is, or has been, the best bit of road in Hobson County, is shewing signs of cutting up, and is much in need of raising in the centre. The Council should certainly attend to this next summer. We may in some respects congratulate ourselves on having so much poor land, as through those parts our roads ire good without any metal. I may perhaps be dwelling too much on roads and their improvement. But there is evidently nothing of greater importance to the general community A petition was drawn up requesting the Council to lower the red hill, but was not very well supported. This work is urgently needed ; but until the riding gets clear of debt, we need hardly look for any work of importance being carried out. We are debited in the ridingbalances with some £SOO ; now if the Council will not wipe out these riding balances, they should at least do as the Kopuru did with Aratapu, and estimate what amount is due from Wairoa Tiding to Okahu ; seeing- that it was almost entirely by making the mam road for their benefit tb«t this riding- was plunged so deep in debt. If the Council wiil not agree to something like this the matter should bo referred to parliament. Mr Berridge’s efforts to have the accounts placed on a legal basis should not be allowed to lapse. Mr H. Buchanan has disposed of his property to Mr G. Dreadon Scnr. It is contemplated holding a Concert shortly for the benefit of Miss Maggie Simpkin of Auckland ; who resided here for some time, and charmed many by her singing. She has been a great sufferer and has undergone several surgical operations No doubt many will assist. The concert will he held in the Hall on some date to he arranged.