MAROPIU.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 274, 23 November 1894, Page 6

MAROPIU.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Si’inx. is the dismal cry “ hard times ! ” Anyone glancing through any of the northern papers (it may be the same elsewhere, but of that I am not competent to speak), would surely be struck by the number of times they came across paragraphs referring to the ‘ hard times,’ ‘tightness in the money market,’ 1 depressionof trade,’ and ‘ scarcity oE employment.’ In terms ptahetic we are informed of empty houses, of people in distress, even on the verge of starvation, and many and eloquent are the appeals made lor the Government to steprin'and relieve the pressure. But, gent’e leader, turn the page and read there of concerts, balls, sports, races, regattas, picnics, and galavantings to the coast, aud see if you can reconcile the two phases of the subject.- Can these things be 2 That times are’not so brisk by

1 _ ong odds as we could wish—that compared with past years there is a general ‘ dulness in trade,* and * tightness in the money market,’ there is no denying ; but, with the exception of ail odd case or so, it is simply nonsense to talk of starvation and the wails to Government for assistance are carried to a ridiculous extent. This, however, is but the natural sequence of having a paternal Government to rule over us. It is to be hoped that private enterprise, industry, and independence are not wholly done away with, for assuredly it will be a sorry day for the community when they are. The trend of political sentiment has for the past few "years been discouraging to private enterprise and independence Dut there ! fenough of moralizing. There is no doubt that we must give the. Government cie lit for attempting to relieve the depression in ihe district by the co-operative works, which : have given employment to numbers for several months. It has been however but a pirtial success, owing chiefly, probably, to the system. Wnich has been worked upon. Much has been said and written about the co-operative principle of work but there is no disguising the fact that as carried out on Government jobs it is a failure. Ibe system is bad because it is open to political interrerence ; it is bad because it lays down the principle that all workmen are equal ; it is bad because it engenders the spirit of 1 doing-no- ' more-than-my-neighbour.’ True, co-operation,' the genuine article, is a grand thing ; the co--3 operation where man asssists his fellow man to . then- mutual advantage ; hut the co-operation as > carried out on Government jobs is not this; far f from it. To leave the co-operative works in [ general and to come to the one in our own district. The Government have been very for—- , tunate in obtaining as supervisor of the works an - energetic, capable officer, and I’m sure if anyone 1 could make the system a success he would - * but t the system is rotten to the core, and I will give J a little story from an authentic source which will 1 show how rotten, A gentleman was watching a i ‘ gang ’at work and he noticed some of them . always waited until the man in front threw his shovelful of earth before doing the like himself. Is this the spirit ot co-operation ? ‘ And there are many so we find as through life’s way we jog ; Who like to do their lifting on the small end of the log. They do a lot of grunting, and strive to make it known That were there no one else to help, they’d lift i t all alone. J But as a class, to put it plain, in language true, and blunt, They’re never worth a cent, to lift, for all they do is grtjnt. 1 la- mill-yearly report of the Gutndiggers’ Union, which appeared in last week’s Bell, pro /es what can he done when the promoters of an effort are determined to succeed. Tne officers of t lie Union are to he congratulated on the progress they have made in so short a time and against heavy odds. There may be those among ns who do not agree with certain actions of the Union (their actions are open to criticism), but-, there is no question but what their aim ’is a good one. to remove some of the disadvantages under which the diggers labour, and as such they are deserving of the support of every free and independent digger. We are getting an overdose on the subject of athletics j ust at present. Hardly have we recovered from the effects of our own sports than the Opanaki fixtures are upon ns. We hear of little else now, hut of 1 sprinting,’ * speelin<V ‘ running schlinters,’ ‘ breaking records,’ and'so on. Several of those who were put down at Maropiu are not a whit discouraged, and are going to—(well, time will prove what they are going to do) Bui,if they hadn’t got a poor start, or if they hadn’t tripped, or got the ‘ stitch,’ things would have been different here ; and it’s to he hoped they’ll have better luck at Opanalci, Oh ! but it’s g’reat fun, the preparations that are made for sports in these parts. All those who can go even a little bit, and jrnany who can’t do that even, are prepared to uphold the honor of the district—and benefit their pocket at the same time. Though our little sprinter Hair a did not do any thing at the : ports here he does not appear to have injured his reputation as a speeler, for I notioi he is to take his stand fall alone in his glery) on scratch in the events at Opanaki* while several well-known runners receive at the rate of eight, nine, and ten yards in the hundred. One youth, one who has a 1 superior dash of toe.’ too, gets fourteen yards in the hundred and thirty-two in the two hundred. Shades of Caesar ! But the interest taken in the above events is 1 small indeed, us compared with what is centered on a projected race in this locality. I don’t know, Mr Editor, that I ought to give it publicity, but let’s chance it and then < stand from under,’if we get into trouble. Well, this is a ladies r.-me ; between certain looal ladies. Great preparations have been made, and a most exciting affair is anticipated. Two novel if not. valuable trophies are said to be at stake, thoua-h great secrecy is maintained as to what they are and the greatest curiosity is manifested hv different reports as to what they really are. It is stated on official authority that they the trophies I mean—will he on view for one week after the event and will then be consigned to a glass case After the race is over, After the prize is won, We’ll put it in a case of glass And then there’ll he some fun. A meeting of the Maropiu Sports Committee ' was held on Thursday evening last. The Secretary’s report was considered very satisfactory and lie received a hearty vote of thanks for his efforts The following is a brief statement of receipts and expenditure ; —Receipts’ — Cash balance m hand (from 1893), £11; Sundry receipts and Subscriptions, £I 7 6s ; Entries and Acceptances, £l2 18 ; Total, Tills. Expend-iture-Prize money, £2l 15s ; Sundry expenses, £7 9. Total £29 4s. 1

Criminal sittings of the Supreme Conrt open on Monday in Auckland. The calender is a very heavy one The following sections are to be open for sale or selection on and after 30th January next,—Hobson County, Section 5 Block XIV Tokatoka, 50 acres, cash value £25 ; Section 14 Te Euri Parish, 52 acres, near Sail Point, cash value £26 10s ; Otamatea County, Hukatere, section 4, 272 acres, cash value £lO2 7/6. Arapohue is coming to the front in the shape of entertainments. The School Concert promises to be a great success. Besides the items to be rendered by the childien, which in themselves are always an attraction, talent has been secured from Aratapu and Tokatoka. A week later the Annual soiree and entertainment in connection with the Wesleyan Church is to be held, and this will of course be a success; past experiences are a proof of this. Mr I), McDougall of Tatarariki an nounces the opening of his now famous strawberry garden. He has a very heavy crop and the late rains have given them such a start that he is prepared even now to meet any rush that may set in. Mr Me Dougatl has always been liberal in his dealings and when he says ‘ prices as before ’ visitors know they can get full value for their money. The roads are now in good order and a ride to McDougali’s for strawberries and cream is one of the finest enjoyments to be had in the district.

Many persons were disappointed in not being able to secure the special Wairarapa number of the N. Z Graphic owing to the issue being speedily bought up. The proprietors of the journal are now issuing theii Christmas Graphic which is a number of most excellent merit, containing a large view ot Dunedin and coloured pictures of Auckland and Wellington scenes, as well as other views of special colonial interest Send your orders in early to John Stall worthy, Aratapu, to save disappointment, and to secure the best shilling’s worth yet offered to you. It to be posted enclose one penny extra.

Saturday afternoon last was the opening day of the Dargaville Tennis Club, and there was a good gathering of ladies and gentlemen on the lawns which were in good order. The s.s. Wairoa took up a good contingent from Te Kopuru, that Club having received an invitation to be present, and the afternoon was very agreeably spent. Refreshments were provided and served round by the ladies, and the luxury of a cup of tea while viewing the scene pre sented by the animated courts was most enjoyable. And adding to the charm was the lively music provided by the members of the Kopuru Band. In the evening ther was a dance in Mr Corcoran’s hall where there was a fairly good attendance. The proceeds were in aid of the funds of the Club.

An inspection of weights and measures is being made all over the north, and in the great majority of cases the storekeeper has lost these indispensible articles for non compliance with the Act Mr G. Cliff, of Paparoa wrote to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce complaining of the action of the police, who, he thought, could have adopted some other means besides confiscation, especially in those cases where storekeepers lived at long distances from places where they could get their scales and weights stamped and adjusted. The Chamber decided that they could do no thing as the police were simply carrying out the law, and probably under instructions. Wliat is going to be done with all the scales and weights confiscated, the value of which must amount to a considerable sum ?

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hobson County Council is to take place on Wednesday next, beginning at ten o’clock. The Annual meeting takes place on the same day beginning at noon. The business paper names the following matters to be attended to:—Ele tion of Chairman and of Treasurer, also of two member to represent County on North Auckland Charitable Aid Board The acceptance of agreement for extra grant ot £SO on Opanaki bridge. Notice of motion, by Chairman, to rescind resolution of Council prohibiting the undertaking of any new works before 31st March next. Also to consider whether a special drainage rate in Tatarariki District shall be struck for year ending 31st March 1895. The Balance Sheet of the Wesleyan Sale of Gifts shews that the nett proceeds

are £76 17s 3d. The workers in this movement are to be congratulated on their decided success, which is greater than the most sanguine anticipated, The friends on the east side of the river deserve special credit for the amount of goods sent in by them as wtll as for their liberal purchases In spite of the large present deficiency in the ordinary Circuit fund, the Circuit as a whole is now £75 better financially than it was financially when the Rev, J Blight took charge. Nothing succeeds like success and we shall not be surprised to be able to record some time about March next that the Church has wiped out its Circuit debt. The last Quarterly meeting appointed a Self Denial week, amongst other means of reducing the debt, and this should produce something substantial if approached n a true Christian spirit. The Balance Sheet of the Sale of Gifts is as follows : Receipts,—Cash donations £4 1/, Sales at stalls £s'2 4/3, Refreshments £7 0/9, Bullock £5 Lamb 7/, Flowers £l, Cash at door £4 13/9, Dips etc. £2 7/9, Cow £2 10/, Shooting gallery £1 1, Auction proceeds £2 2/6, Steamer fares £3. Total £BS Bs. Expenditure,— Steamer £3, Advertising £2, Hire of Hall £l, Toys etc £2 3s, Freight 7/2. Cash Balance £76 17/3. Total £BS 8/.