CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1831, 4 November 1884, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor,) Sin.—-The resolution brought forward by Mr Hawkins last Saturday night and carried by the meeting, resolves itself simply into a question of roads v railways. The question, as I understood it, to have been discussed was one dealing with roads and local government, and the local government part of it was apparently evaded., '■■■ Mr Hawkins, uo'doubfc, made a very pretty speech, aud together with th 6 picture of roads aud railways, took the meeting with him. Mr Hawkins has an idea that it would bo quite a proper tiling to discontinue the present railway works and. divert the monies to road works, the foremost amongst which will be Masterton to hini, via Bideford, Well, sir, I will acknowledge the necessity of this work with Masterton to VVaimata and various other roads in IjJqrtli Wairara'pa, and the urgency of their construction should be considered not only by the settlors, but by 4ho Government, if they V/ish to make their railway pay, but I object altogether to Mr Hawkins' mode of procedure for getting them constructed, and I warn him not to press the resolution pansed by a small majority at the late meeting upon the Government. Just [let mo notice \sbat is lively to oome to pass should this resolution be favorably received and aded upon. Firstly from £50,000 to £BO,OOO will have to be squandered for mark you, Mr Hawkins proposes that the grass shall grow upon this line, and not a rail be laid from the present terminus, if he can help it. Secondly, the. Government will have broken faith with purchasers of land and settlers up and down the line, and thirdly, the leasing and sales of land proposed by the Government in December next will prove a miserable failure, and fourthly the excellent red pine timber all along the line, particularly in the vicinity of Eketahuna for sawmill purposes, is in itself a considerable inducement for its construction, The little business which I am connected with whiqh pays now from Masterton some £l5O to £2OO per annum will be possibly doubled if the railway is continued, There are reasons which if I choose I could'bring forward in favor of the construction of this railway, but I think I have adduced sufficient to, show that neither Mr Hawkins nor'

anyone else should now attempt to stop its progress.. Had Mr Hawkins made an effort to get the line completed to Eketahuna and then asked for a delay in any expenditure in railway works beyond, and included the advisability or rather the necessity of opening up the country to the right and left, and encouraged settlement in his resolution, he would I believe have had the satisfaction of finding nearly every one present supporting him. As it is, [ venture to say that the deputation will return as it went if it depends upon getting its roads made out of railway funds already voted for the construction of this line, Begging to be excused for trespassing on your space, I am, <k., Job Vile.

WELLINGTON SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

(To the Editor,) Sir,—Tt is the wish of the newly formed Wellington Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals to extend their operations to the country districts, even more than in the city, because in these districts where police snpervision is wanting, cruelty frequently is practised. Will you kindly allow me, sir, through the valuable medium of your columns to suggest to your numerous readers the desirability of forming branches to co-operate with the Wellington society. Much cruelty is inflicted on dumb animals through ignorance and thoughtlessness. The society exists for the prevention of, not prosecution for cruelty and seeks to obtain this object by creating a healthy tone of public opinion regarding man's duty to the lower creatures, (many of which are amongst his best friends) especially in the rising generation in the prir.oiples of humanity, Also by lectures, the circulation of literature advocating the objects of the society, and by prosecuting for cruelty when necessary. More than 300 societies exist in different parts of the world, all helping in the good work of bettering the condition of dumb animals who cannot speak for themse! ves. I would suggest that a meeting of sympathisers be held to talk the matter over, and shall be glad to supply any information I can to those interested, Thanking you for your space,

I am, k, J. E. Baker, Hon. Sec. Wellington S. P. C. A.