CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1619, 26 February 1884, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

TO "THE-EDITOR,

Sin,-In the Wairahata Daily of February 14th, it was stated as a matter of uoloriety that tho Qpnki settlers have been holding out for a high price for their land, aud you gave indiscriminate blamo to the Opaki settlers for the delay of the Government paying for tho land taken, Now, sir, leaving out of the question the demand for compensation mado by somo of the settlers—and I suppose they are not worse than other settlers in this respect—let us look at a few facts connected with the energetic action of the Public Works Department in the matter of the Opaki extension, we can then bestow that commendation for iheir promptitude which they so justly deserve! It is about "twelve months since the Department first seized and entered upon the lands of the Opaki settlers, and having surveyedand re-stirveyodthiland th'ey let thecontractfor coiistractioncif the line, and became, 'Vmonarch of all they surveyed," The contractors went to work, fences were removed; and paddocks lelt unprotected in places, lands trespassed npon and timber surreptitiously removod, yet (o the

present time the land has not been paid forr : Thjs ; result is, certainly not tho fault of.,the; settlers I am-writing about seeing that they h'ave'mado no'claim, for the simple "reason tliat this excellently conducted department has never informed them of the land taken, and so far as tho settlers know the taking of the lands riot: yet been gezetted.-"This is ii'.Mce state of affairs in a free country, and reflecis great credit on the Minister of Public Works', indeed it is hoped that vrhcn'Mr G. Beetham, M 11. R., returns that. gentleman will, thank the Public Works Department; at tho opening of Parliament.. • ■ I may state that this letter is written at the request o. die settlers interested, I am, &0., It, Brown. (to the editor). Sir.—l cravß a-small space in your' paper for some comments on tho awarding of the: gained' at the the Agricultural Show held at Carterton Ist last November and how they have-been paid.' According to inducements hold out in the Society's list of prizes, the class l am particularly interested in runs thus: For the best draught entire, gold medal and A, R, Hislop's prize of i's ss. Thinking the prize worth competing for I entered my horse Lord Nelson and was fortunate enough in obtaining first prize and attended at Carterton some weeks' ago, being called on to receive ' the trophy, I. had won, I received the gold medal which according; to its size and compared with gold medals given by other.Societies. gives distinct evidence Carterton is short of material, for my £5 6s 1 received from Mr Wolters the Society's Seoretary an order on Mr A. R. Hislop of Wellington who gives not the money as was adveitised.' hut said I would get Bomo trinket out of his shop, which life (Hislop) considered worth £5 sa. Now,' Mr Editor, had .the Society mentioned in their'prize list £5 5s worth of trinkets from Mr Hislop I would never have taken my horse on the ground, It was money I competed for and money I want. Tbore were other seven gentle? men all givers of apecial prizes in the horse class which: paid sums over to the Society for the various-wlanera, as I am informed an good authority. Now, sir, I want tho opinion of your able correspondents Bach as Mr, McKeßver whether I ought to take £5 5j worth of trinkets from Hislop, or have £5 Ss'in-caah from the Society to pay my.season's advertising with, or wine at the Shades if I think proper. When I win money honestly I believe in having the option of doing with it as I please. lam, Ac., ..William Lawrence, Lower Manaia, Mastorton, 25th Feb., 1884.