OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1940, Page 5

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

PAHIATUA SETTLEMENT (To the Editor.) Sir, —In jour issue of April 16. a letter appears signed Manga Whenua about the Pahiatua settlement and mentioning that the land was sold by the Rolleston Government. The year 1875 was before my lime and 1 don't remember the Rolleston Government, but in 1876 the Atkinson Government was in power and Mr Rolleston was member for Avon, but was not in the Cabinet. In the latter end of 1876. small farms were being talked about in Masterton. and early in 1877 a meeting was neld in the old Town Hall. Masterton, and it was decided to form an association to be called the Masterton Small Farm Association of 1877. Mr W. W. McCardle was a prominent member and I think Mr G. S. W. Dalrymple was secretary. Everyone whose name was put down paid 2s for preliminary expenses.

After the list was lull and all in going order, two other persons wanted to join the association, but they were ruled out as the number of sections in the block was limited. An application was sent in for the block and we were turned down. We never knew the reason, but a whisper went around that these applicants had influ once behind them. At the meetinc someone mentioned that the block would bring trade ,to Masterton. M. G. Heron shook his head and said "Palmerston."

I was told by an old settler that the six sections that formed the town c Pahiatua extended for one mile fror. the Tiraurnca Road and Hall Road t the Wellington Endowment block. M McCardle having the centre section o ; the left-hand side (from Masterton). He later opened a road through it tc the river and got the Land Board tc open a road from the river to the Railway Station. The original road to the station was via Hall's Road and through the then township ol Scarborough. The first section reached from. Masterton on the left-hand side was owned by Mr Kibblewhite, on this side of a creek crossing the road near the one of the limestone hill. The next section was later resold and bought by Mi Macara. I think the price paid was 60s per acre. This sale took place m the upper loom of the Institute. In passing. I may mention that Mr W. Bcctham purchased a large block in <he Puketoi. I have written nearly all this from memory, so probably there will be mistakes. If so. I shall welcome correction. I believe the Grey Government was in power when the association was formed.—Yours, etc., PYTVOCE. Masterton. April 22. PIONEERS & EDUCATION (To the Editor.) Sir,—As a change from the shower of bouquets which has fallen lately, tr ■be memory of the pioneers, I should like to hurl a brickbat. Mr W. B Nicol is reported in your columns to day as saying: “From the earliest day in the Wairarapa the pioneers’ firs 'bought s were for the education, bot’ scholastic and spiritual, of the younger generation.” The remark, surely is a wild generalisation. A college was not founded in this rich distric' until 1922—half a century later that in Nelson and Wanganui—l am, etc. IGNORAMUS. Masterton. April 23.

MORE PRODUCTION (To the Editor.) Sir,—l am a dairy farmer, trying tc produce more from a small acreage Acting on advice from "over the air." I ordered top-dressing on February 14 tc be- delivered on March 1. It is now April 22 and so far I have not. heard anything of this manure. The company advised me that the Government cannot supply trucks tc deliver the goods. My memory take; me back to the time when cur'politic ians wept with sorrow four years age because of the lack of rolling stock. Today is the age of miracles in producing the goods. Why has the Government neglected such an urgent need and also failed to build rolling stock thereby thwarting the primary pro ducer in this hope to take more cfi’ the land.

My grass seed costs me £3 5s an acre for seed. Autumn growing time is now past; the seed is in the shed, but where is the manure? —I am, etc., "M. T. BAG.”

The Railways Department says it is not in a position to check the statements contained in our correspondent’s letter, as he has not indicated either the firm or the station from which the topdressing was ordered. Floods in the Manawatu Gorge and Taranaki district near the end of February, the Depart-

ment adds, resulted in a very seriou ■train on the supply of empties by reason of the 'delay to wagons at Palmerston North waiting clearance of the Gorge and the long haul (via Marton) of wagons Io and from the Taranaki district. Another factor which, at times, delays the supply of manure to farmers is the incidence of receipt by manure works ot. overseas shipments. The unloading of heavy shipments into the works delays the loading out o! supplies for country districts.

The Department is making every effort to supply requirements and the farmers would assist each other materially by discharging their consignments promptly on arrival.