OPEN COLUMN.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 59, 15 February 1868, Page 3

OPEN COLUMN.

(To the Editor of the “ Mercury.”) February 10, 1868. Sib, —In your notice of the weather last week you state that “ the meteors seen in Europe and America in November, 1868, and again as predicted by Herschell in November, 1867, were most numerous and extraordinary. The question suggested is can they have occasioned the remarkable weather which has been experienced in various parts of the world since November, 1867.”

In dispelling such an idea from the mind of any one, it is only necessary to call to mind that the earth moves through space at the rate of more than 650,000 miles an hour, and therefore, as it would pass over as much space as there is from the earth to the moon in less than four hours, it would soon pass beyond any influence that could be produced on the weather by the belt of meteors that the earth passed through in the month of November last. Therefore some other cause than the one suggested must be looked for by our men of science. Your’s, &c,, A.B.C.

WANTED, A HOSPITAL. (To the Editor of the “ Wairarapa Mercury.”) Wairarapa, February 9, 1868. Sib.—A poor wretched man, who has neither money, home nor friends in the Wairarapa, is dying in a flax bush and suffering the most excruciating agony that it is possible for a human being to labor under until the hand of death can bring the poor -wretched being relief. Where else, than on the swamp, can the poor person whose disease is aggravated, if not caused by exposure and want look for relief in the Wairarapa. In a case like this he can well say, “ Oh death where is thy sting! Oh grave, where is thy victory ! Thou art not a warrior that has conquered but a friend that has brought relief to a wretch that has bravely fought and struggled with cold hunger, and disease in a district where there is no hospital—no refuge for the sick and friendless—in a district where charity begins at home and ends where it begins—in a district that remains without an hospital after it has advanced far enough in population, importance and material wealth to require a railway!”

Is it not time, Mr Editor, that some energetic men should take up the question of an hospital and open a subscription list to find, at least, food, shelter and a nurse for those who are sick and without money or friends.

There is time yet to get subscriptions enough for the purpose before the arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh at Wellington and a deputation from the subscribers might be sent to request his Royal Highness to lay the “foundation stone.’ ’ This Act would bring the district under the notice of some that will shortly be asked to supply the capital to construct our projected railway, Your’s respectfully, A POOR PATIENT.

(To the Editor of the Wairarapa Mercury.) Wairarapa, Feb. 14, 1868. Sie, —In my last letter I suggested the propriety of holding a public meeting of all the members of tne different Wairarapa Road Boards. This letter was answered by “ Caduceus ” who approved of my suggestion, hut hoped that such a meeting would not make the members of the local boards politicalagitators. Now Sir, my reason for naming the members of Road Boards for this meeting was not because they are wardens, but because they are men in whom the settlers have great confidence, or they would not have chosen them to spend the public money. The settlers as a body are very lax in attending public meetings, because they so seldom find that they turn out to their advantage. They therefore would prefer leaving the discussion of their interests tojthose whom they have chosen, who at their meeting would draw up a petition to the House of Representatives praying for an Act to give us two-thirds of our territorial revenue with power to carry out all the Provincial Acts without the interference of Superintendent. I would suggest that the Chairmen of the different Boards correspond together to confer on the best place and time to hold the first meeting. No time should now be lost, as everything must be done before the meeting of the House of Representatives which will take place shortly. It is necessary that we should take action this session, or it will be too late, as by the time the next one comes round all the land will be sold.

I see by your report of Mr Bunny’s speech that he regretted that there were so few present, while if it were only a trivial electioneering matter taking to task a member who had attended more to his own interests than those of liis constituents we would have mustered in force. Now I think I can explain the reason of this to Mr Bunny’s satisfaction. The fact is we have got tired here of running after shadows like this railway which will be of no advantage to the real settler in the way of doubling the price of land which he does not wish to sell. The real settler, who goes iu for producing, will not find that the railway will make his land produce more, nor will it improve.his market, fof by the reports of prices in the newspapers, I find them in favor of the Wairarapa as compared with Wellington. The only class to be benefitted by the railway is the wealthy speculating land-jobber and the large wool-grower. Mr Bunny states that enormous advantages will accrue by £300,000 being spent amongst us, aye, to those who sell out and avoid the enormous taxes that will have to be imposed upon us to pay the interest on this and former loans that have never been a benefit to the real settler. ■ A great argument against the railway isthat instead of ts-

king our surplus produce we shall be inundated by produce from other Provinces, a cheering prospect when we are told that Otago oats can be bought for 2s 6d and Canterbury wheat at 3s 6d.

One word more to my old" fellow-settlers. If you have money to spare and desire to benefit your adopted district, give it for a gold prospecting party under the management of Mr Grove. If the gold-field is found it will create a market and perhaps cause a railway to Auckland.

In the first number of the “Wairarapa Journal ” is published Mr Baird’s letter to the Greytown Hoad Board written on the 21st of November last. In what part of Mr Baird’s latter does the Editor of that paper find our generous Provincial Government offering us two equivalents ? MiTloldsworth said they might supplement or give a bonus to subscriptions raised by the settlers. Before the editor of the “Journal” makes such statements, let him publish the second and tenth clauses of the District Highway’s Act. The powers of the Board will then be seen. Has the river proved too much for the experience ofthe[Engineer and the Government ?((Through bad management a large sura was really thrown away last year, and no one can better inform the public of this than Mr Thomas Ingley, I call upon him to do so. I remain, Sir, your’s &c„ ROAD BOARD.

FURIOUS RIDING. (To the Editor of the “ Wairarapa Mercury.”) Greytown ,February 10th, 1867. Sir. —I wish you would draw the attention of the Magistrate or Police, or whoever the proper authorities are, to the daily growing practice of riding furiously through the different townships of the Wairarapa. Both Natives and Europeans are now too much in the habit of indulging in this dangerous amusement. On Sunday last one woman was run over by a horseman, another barely escaped the same fate. Is there no regulation by which offenders who thus endanger life can be brought to justice. Your’s Truly. B.P.W.

[We have often noticed the furious riding that our correspondent complains of and consider it high time that it was put a stop to. B. P. W. has his remedy by summoning the offending parties for what he complains of. No doubt advantage has been taken of the absence of the constables in town.—Editor W.M.]

THE RAILWAY. (To the Editor of the “Wairarapa Mercury.”) Featherston, Feb. 10, 1868. Sir, —Having become a settler in the Wairarapa and invested my small capital in the district I naturally feel an interest in all public undertakings likely to advance the weal of the community. It was with deep interest and pleasure I read Mr Bunny’s able speech upon the Wellington Hutt and Wairarapa Railway. But in my humble opinion, Sir, I do not think the talented gentleman has fully explained to the meeting how a railway is to pay. Perhaps (as he very justly remarked) as the greatest portion of the settlers we tod apathetic to attend a meeting for discussing a subject of such vital importance to them and having so small an audience he did not care to enter into the subject so minutely, or to give the details so accurately, as he could have done. We are all aware, Mr Editor, that most people are averse to innovations, especially those of a kind to affect their interests. The only way to combat this inherent prejudice is to clearly prove that this railway speculation is one that will pay those who embark their capital in it and, at the same time, benefit the whole community by affording an easier and cheaper mode of transit and developing the industry and resources of the districts. If the railway is not to be a job for a few individuals only, but a great public undertaking I think the proper course would be to refer to statistics and figures. I assume that no English capitalists would form a railway and expend £300,000 unless their per centage is guaranteed by the province. If so, we shall he merely borrowing, the money at a certain annual rate of interest. Now, therefore, the great point to be shown is to prove by summing up our resources, our producing capabilities, that if we have a cheaper transit to Wellington we can send sufficient to keep up a traffic that will pay the required 7 per cent for the Railway. I am sanguine that a Railway must eventually pay, and I think, with Mr Bunny, that it creates an increasing traffic. Yet Mr Editor. I would suggest that it would not be pre-mature-before any money is expended-to obtain ascorrect an estimate of our resources as possible Let us have as near as statement as possible of the amount of wool and other produce sent from here to Wellington, the area of arable land, timber &c.. &c. With such data before them the settlers here could easily sec whether they have sufficient means to support a Railway, or if, by sending their produce to Wellington, the}' will be able to compete with other provinces in the cereal or timber trade.

Pardon my taking up so much of your valuable space to the exclusion of other and more able correspondents. Hoping to see the Railway a reality. I have the honor to be Sir, Yours’s &c., OBSERVER.

THE WIDOW AND ORPHAN. (To the Editor of the Wairarapa Mercury.) Wairarapa, February 10, 1868. Sib,—New Zealand is a fortunate colony, It has many things to boast of. We boast of our public men, their ability and eloquence—of the amount of talent in the Legislature—of the members statesmanlike abilities. The laws they pass ire a credit to us, and to those who initfate and pass them. One of these laws recently passed has been forcibly,brought’undcrmy notice through the sudden and lamented death of one of our oldest settlers last week, who has left behind him three. orphan children, amongst whom, (by will), he has equally divided his property. The eldest of these orphans is but eight years of age and the youngest four, and therefore before they can be possessed of this property, 17 years will have to lapse, during which time the trustees will have to see them properly educated and cared for.

Now Sir, I am one who believes in direct taxation. I believe in such laws as the Stamp Act if it would be the meansjof awakening the public mind from the political apathy into which it has fallen.

But I do object, and oppose strongly any law which deprives the widow or orphan of what is their right. I find that the Executors of this will will have to go to the expense of between £33 and £4O in Stamp Duty alone in proving the will and obtaining Letters of Administration, besides the duties on succession, and not counting what the gentlemen of the “long robe ’’ will get as their perquisites. Fellow Colonists, many of you left England driven from it by tie tax-gatherer. You have

emigrated to a young colony, this the Britain of the South, and not only are much over taxed to support two expensive “systems’’ of government, hut the helpless—those to whom we are supposed to extend the hand of friendship and charity —are served likewise. The husband and parent works hard to make provision, so that if the cold hand of death may be suddenly laid on him he may be enabled to leave those who depend on him for support something to help and assist them, but our grasping senators have taxed even this, the helpless widow and orphan’s portion. As we know not W’hose turn comes next, it behoves us to tell these learned, able and eloquent statesmen that if they expect to receive support from us, they must repeal such a law as this—a law which is a disgrac to them and to the colony in which it is made. Your’s &c., PIIILANTHROPIIIST.