OPANAKI.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 229, 22 December 1893, Page 8

OPANAKI.

In a recent issue of the Dargaville paper it was stated that the rolling stock on our railway line was quite inadequate. But there must be some mistake there, for it is now pretty generally admitted that the Commissioners have treated us very fairly lately. For‘Heaven’s sake let us be just and give credit when and where it is due. The Bell some time ago made known our wants on this line and they were attended to and remedied rather promptly, for which we thank the Bell and the Commissioners. If instead of doing such an absurd growl about the rolling stock your contemporary had written up the disgraceful state of the line between Maropiu and Opanaki, there would have been at least some sense in it. This portion of thg line has been so shamefully neglected for months that it has got into a positively dangerous state and the Commissioners may at any time look for a few actions for damages. Just imagine the large quantities of heavy shipbuilding tim - bers, guns, etc., that are constantly being drawn over this portion ®f the line and yet for months the ganger has not put his family on here for a single day’s work. Is it any wonder that this part of the line is in such a disgraceful state, and that passengers growl long and loudly about its roughness. There we have sleepers fullyexposed to view, ballast kicking about all the water-tables, while the line in scores of plaees is over grown with weeds. A pretty state of affairs forsooth. I detest haying much to say about government servants in the way of fault finding but when we find what we honestly believe to be a flagrant neglect of duty, and such neglect is likely to endanger the lives of fellow beings then I am of the opinion that plain speaking on the matter is not only fully warranted but is also most essential. I hop'e that for the future this portion of the line will be better attended to otherwise I may feel called upon to speak out a bit plainer. While on the subject of the railway line there is one thing I should like to mention which is the advisability of making a crossing from the road to the station. As it is, all the heavy loads of gum etc., have to be hauled across the.rails, which common sense must tell us is bound to do no small damage to the line’ The cost would be but a trifle and would save the line considerably. For some time past we have had a large amount of sickness at our settlement, chiefly among the Maoris. It appeared to be a form, of typhus fever and at one time also appeared as if it were going to make sad havoc among the natives fight or nine of them dying off very quick 1 . Fortunately they decided to call in Di. Norton to their aid, and I am glad to he able to report a great improvement. The doctor has apparently now got the upper hand of the disease and many of those’affiicted are getting better. The doctor is to be congratulated upoa his successful treat went, for it is undoubtedly an immense task to handle a lot of fever stricken Maoris, it being almost impossible to get them to carry out the instructions of their medical adviser and they no sooner feel themselves improving under the medical skill and care than they become quite careless and utterly disregard the doctor’s orders. The recent slip on the Waikara road is now being attended to. It is reported that the Government intend removing the school and teacher’s residence from Maitahi to Opanaki in March. Fit sawing has been started on the line at the gravel pits. The timber is for Messrs Mitchelson Bras.