OPEN COLUMN.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 23, 8 June 1867, Page 3

OPEN COLUMN.

(To the Editor of the Wairarapa Mercury.) _ GOVERNMENT NEGLIGENCE. Wairarapa, June 6, 1867. Sir, —There appeared lately a letter in one of the Wellington journals complaining of the manner in which the Telegraph insulators were being used, and stating at the same time that in consequence of there being so many of them destroyed, it would be the means of delaying the opening of the line in this district until fresh ones arrived in Wellington. Now Sir, as a traveller in this district I was surprised, especially after reading this complaint, to see these insulators lying about in all directions, —in some places under water, and in others, in the middle of the road. What can the contractors or Government expect if they leave property of this dj&cription laying about like this? Even in the townships, instead of being placeed in the Courthouses or under the care of some respectable householders, they are lying about the road where horses and cattle are travelling at all hours, the consequence of which is t®y are trampled upon aud broke. Government, as usual, “ a penny wise and a pound foolish,” offer rewards in large capital letters, and threaten legal proceedings, while the remedy is in their own hands, by seeing that public property is better cared for. A TRAVELLER. (To the Editor of the Wairarapa Mercury.) THE DISTRICT HIGHWAY’S ACT. Featherston, June 4, 1867. Sir, —A resolution having been passed by the Provincial Council, which has the effect of reducing the number of the votes of small land owners in Road Boards, and as Mr Bunny is the originator of this amendment of the Road Act, and as he states that he considers this resolution to be one which meets the requirements of Road Districts, I shall be much

obliged if Mr Bunny will show, in what way such- a resolution was required and (as he no doubt has analyzed the subject), to what extent the small landowner will be benefitted by it. Sir, instead of this measure being either wise or beneficial, I maintain it is injurious and unjust, as by it the large holder is enriched at the expense of the small holder, the small holder getting no compensation for the loss of his votes, in any other shape or form. Had Mr Bunny shewn that the large holder was unjustly taxed by his smaller neighbours, no reasonable person would have objected to giving him an increase of power, but small holders object aud naturally so, to losing their votes, merely to increase the large holders power. I am, Sir, Your’s C. WELBY JACKSON. (To the Editor of the Wairabapa Mercury.) Featherston, June 3, 1867, Sib, —I have great news to tell you from Featherston, now don’t jump at conclusions and imagine Mr Bunny has resigned his seat in the General Assembly and Provincial Council, being disgusted with the treatment he has received from the Featherston settlers, as I am merely going to say that the Road Board have at last commenced operations, and although of course we won’t hint that the course of action taken by the Featherstonites has had any influence with the Board, as if we did so, we should have Mr Bunny down upon us, forbidding us to entertain such foolish puerile thoughts again, still we are at liberty to think as we please, and we do think that our meeting, call it a hole in a corner, or what you please, has produced the desired effect. Sir, I do hope Mr Bunny will try and undeceive us, it being such a pleasure to us poor timid folks, to think that a meeting of ours (though not graced by Mr Bunny’s august presence), can do some good. They do also say here that Mr Bunny is a terrible cute man, but that latterly his eyesight is somewhat diminished and that he can’t see as far through a mill-stone as he could formerly, or he never would have done what he lately has done. You will also be glad to learn that our Farmer’s Club is progressing aud you may soon expect to hear of great doings oh our part, in fact here some are so smitten with the idea that they intend taking situations as Farmer’s boys, to learn to reap, to sow, &c. As I probably shall let you know of what takes place here on future occasions. I shall now conclude. Your obedient servant, TOMMY TICKLEIAIL.