KING COUNTRY.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 202, 28 October 1897, Page 2

KING COUNTRY.

W.ui'.v County Bounlakiks.—A great deal of indignation is felt here at the millet hand way in which the Waipa County Council have tried to extend their houmhu ies at the expense of the Kawhii and West Taupo Counties. Luckily they were unable to keep their little game as quiet as they wished, and steps have been taken that will effectively stop their pi oposcd action. It is hard to imagine a more impudent at tempt to annex tenitory without in anyway consulting those interested or advancing any sound reasons for the alteration. The wants, revenues, etc., of an unsettled district like tins arc quite different to those of an old settled district like the Waipa, and any charge of boundaries should and must be left until the country becomes more settled. The Manngatautari settlers have formed a strong ciiimittee to oppose any alteration of the West Taupo boundaries, with Mr A. Kay, J,P., as lion, sec, and they will act with those interested in che Kawfia County, and, if necessity, a strong deputation will go to Wellington to oppose the Act if introduced. Hut it is not likely to reach this stage, as their case is so utterly weak that the first breath of publicity is enough to damn their policy of gretd and grab.

Way Am: Thky ? Tho Minister for Justice, in lii.s place in tlie Iluuse, stated that he had leceived communications from " gcntlenicn of position " in the Iving Country, stating that in their opinion nothing will remedy sly-grog .selling except the licensing of a house there,' " nlHimnjli tlinj wonM not tlarc Ivsiii/ ',l pnhlkbj " It is. hud enoug'u lo lie all elissed as I reaUets of the licensing laws, hut for it to he siid that our leading citizens are so weak-kneed that they dare no', openly expnss their convictions, especially when it is on the locally popular side, is surely the unkindest cut. of all. l'ei'sonilly, 1 think it would be the greatest mistake to grant licenses till the country is settled by those who intend to pass their lives in the district, and let them decide. But we have all pretty decided opinions on the matter one way or the other, ami I do not know even a " gentleman of position " who is not always ready to take decided sides, unfortunately, gun rally, against '' Your Own." lam afraid the Minster, like that greatest enemy to the temperance movement, Isitt, is troul.de;! with a lively imagination. —(Own Correspondent).