The Town Lands Trust Fund.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2958, 24 July 1888, Page 2

The Town Lands Trust Fund.

(TotheEditor):: ;:,: " Sin,—At the present juncture when the minds of some; citizfins are so;exercised oyer, the; proper allocation.of Town, lands: Triist. funds/ itmaybe useful,;not only for the guidance of the Trustees themselves, but' tlie.enlightcnment of the ratepayers generally, to enquire into ; the original intention of those perHona who were chiefly iustru-i mental in acquiring those lands. On referring to a pamphlet touching thin question, published some years ago, I 'find,'that'.one at least, and perhaps the most influential of those persons distinotly stated that" it was his opinibn and wish that the surplus town acres reserve should ,be given as an endowment to found a grammar sohool,' Had this been done there would have been no squabbling now, and with gifts from wealthy settlers we might have been in the way to the establishment of a high class system of education in tho Wairarapa," These are the words of Mr C. ft. Carter, This wish on his part was accentuated and practically agreed to by two public meetings, one at Masterton and ono at Grey town, It may interest those who wish to see such an institution permanently established in the district to know that at the meetings'referred to the following resolutions were unanimously carried. 1, That tho revenue derived from reserves ought to contri. Bute a, separate fund for educational purposes in the Wairarapa district, 2. That it is highly desirable that ono or more grammar schools, should be established in the Wairarapa as soon as practicable. 3. That the thanks of the meeting are due to Mr 0. B. Carter for his address, and the meeting is of opinion that the part-of it relating to the Trusteeship of the Masterton reserves is satisfactory, Mr Carter goes on to say, "iThe pith and meaning of the'above resolutions was to throw our small farm reserves in with the Government educational reserves in the• Wairarapa, so as. to form a common fund (sure to bo added to by generous and wealthy people) in order that a college or high class school might be founded'in the valley. By our small farm rules, education was to bo protected by its reserve acres. The Small Farm Committee suggested this, but rinay'observo with regret that the intentions of the abeve resolutions were never carried out." Now. from the foregoing it may reasonably, he assumed that thero existed a widespread feeling that a great want was fait in the Wairarapa, viz., a high school, But, curiously enough, though tho inhabitants had tho means in their hands, and other means would undoubtedly have been forthcoming, they seemed to lack the necessary energy, or to be contented with a mero assertion of their wants. In consequence thou of this culpable apathy on the part of those directly interested, Imeanllie people themselves, tho beneficent intentions of persons who endeavored to secure the advantages of such an institution were defeated, and a project of vital importance to the community at large allowed to drop out of Bight. But tho time has come when tho growing importance and increasing population of this, tho largest.inland town in the island, imperatively demands of those responsible, an honest effort to give effect to the expressed wish of the citizens. It will be difficult for such persons much longer to shirk the responsibility which rests bo heavily on their shoulders. This great centre, soon, no doubt, despite present depression to bo a flourishing place, must he placed on a level in every respect with other towns in the country; it must have means, easy of access, for the higher education of its sons, to fit them to successfully compete with other towns, and to romovo a.Bliir which, if not now, is likely to be, cast on it for its negligence in this matter. Few will be disposed to assert that what the wisdom and foresight of these old settlers considered necessary, is a luxury that we can do without, Common prudenoe, apart from the healthy spirit of emulation, would suggasfc that if wo are not to be lamentably beaten in the race of life by other mid more-enter-prising places, if our future members of Parliament, mayors, councillors, trustees, etc, are to bo of equal mental calibre and acquirements to those of other New Zealand towns, if the youth in ibis district are not to grow up in the comparative ignorance in which they are loft by the fifth and sixth primary school standards, something further must be done than has yot been attempted. In fact the difficulty can only be met by endowing and establishing a collegiate or grammar school; then, and not till then, will we he entitled to consider ourselves on a level with our fellow men in other parts. The want is universally allowed. It requires but a combined and determined effort on the part of the inhabitants to effect tho desired end. It must be undertaken by them and them alone if success is to be obtained, Isolated and individual effort must in such a matter, fail to be influential; but from, combination success will infallibly follow, and till tho public generally awake from their tor,pid;stttte l aqdtak l eft firm attitude,

tins important matter mustslill remain - \ unselthd, and the wishes of tho origi- v?, uil piomoteia unfulGlled. In a future 4 \ letli r I propose, with your permission, , to go fuither into tho subject, butjor > the present content myself with indieating what appear to me its most--'/ impoilunt features ;. ( Youis ifcc. ( M j "XTZ. \