THE TE AWAMUTU RAILWAY STATION.

Sib,— l Win your issue of Feb. 16th an anonymous letter reflecting on my veracity, m connection with tiie iar<meeting at Te Awamutu re railway station Now, Mr n ditor, with regard _ o that letter, I think it a cowardly thm - for one man to make a personal attack upon another under the shelter of an assumed name. I don't mow who the "Chiel that Takes Notes" may be, but thiß I do know, it was an ungentlemanly production. But to vindicate myselt 1 will give you a clear statement of facts. I saw Sir George Grey at Jiihikihi, who, after receiving the address, asked if anyone wished to speak to him, as he would remain a short time. As no one came forward, the people then left the room, with the exception of myself, Mr Henderson, and one or two others, who remained talking at the door, I think, with Mr Sheehan. I then a.sked Sir George Grey the railway station could be brought into Te Awamutu, as ho had now soon the place, and could give an opinion on the matter. His reply was he had i'«ceived a telegram from Te Awamutu (I lugderstood, from a resident) that the

Bettlera did not . want the station m the township, and that he had made a mistake m saying it waa from Hamilton. I said it, must HaVe dome ;fr<sm .spine interested party. He then, asked mci it there was not some ongineeringdifficulty m the way. I said. I .thought not, but that it g would cost more" money. He then"' -took- ft note of it on the'baclc of iihe/paper he had ju.st received with the address, at the same tiiae , saying Jhe could not fly i°- the face of tpe 'engineers^ c'aTufce • aether .. repprjt :toj be; , ntade.; I*-.a^sp- jasked him! if the extension from Onaupo would soon commence. His answer was as soon as possible. ' They had not : the' money ion hand until the lo^n was raised, but there was some money coming m .which would b 6 expended month by mqnth' as; they received it. "I will do all I can," he said, "to push on the work." Now, with regard to the late meeting, I did not say there was an engineering; difficulty m taking the line out of Te Awainutu. I said there might be, and afterwards corrected myself arid Bald there was none. I certainly did ; call Mr Sloane to account for asking Sir George Grey for fifteen acres of the town land as a recreation ground — to use bis own terms — "for future posterity" without consulting the residents of the town. There are already five a res .set apart for.a,.cemetry,. five acres for school and ' defence purposes, and if this lifteen acres go, we will have no land to co build on. Bear m mind the land, on Wo sides ot the town is mission property, and can only be leased for. a term of fifteen years. Not that it matters much to me, for I haye not a penny worth of interest mTe Awamutu. I should like to see a public park there' very much, but not at "he. expense of half the town. The exact vvords 1 used to Mr Sloane were, 1 thought he was presuming on his' posi-. ion as Chairman of the Highway Board ,ii making such a request without conbiting the Board, and the residents. And how, Mr i ditor, oh- : conclusion, I am orry that petty local differences Bhpuld • .all forth such bitterness of feeling. !We night ail to ATOi-k together for the common ;ood, the country town going fyand n hand, as each tends to advance, the irosperity of the other.-; -•,;,'. This is the first time that ever I roubledyou with a letter, .although; my iaine has often figui-ed-iri your paper,* and i every man when writing obnoxious etters would append his name, fewer .uch letters would appear m print. 1 nay also add ever since I have taken an nterest m public affairs I : have , always ndeavoured to prevent the public being /rouged for , the benefit of private, udividuals. I shall still continue, the rven tenor of my way, regardless whether ■ . make friend^ or foes'. j . I ' have to *apolegise for 1 this ilong lett er , mt trusting m your .spirit of fair play, I ,-aope. you will insert . it.— l am, ' &0., 'H. Roche. ■' "' J """ February 19th, 1878. , . We willingly insert Mr Roche's letter snd take the opportunity of stating that <•' " A Chiel that Takes Notes " wishes to eply to it, he must do so m his own ;i-oper name. — Ed. W.T.] ,