PUBLIC WANTS.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 7, 10 January 1881, Page 3

PUBLIC WANTS.

? TO THB EDITOB OF THE EVENING POST. Sib — I feel convinced you will allow me to make a few observations, pro bono publico, on matters relating to publio works generally. In the first place, it has occurred to me for some considerable time the Municipal Corporation or Harbour Board must have lost sight of the fact that it would be a boon to the settlers in the Hutt and Wairarapa districts, as well as a pecuniary advantage to themselves, to allow of the importation of cattle to Wellington from other ports, constructing for the purpose a landing stage Bomewhere along the breastwork in the vioinity of the Railway Wharf. It is needless to say how utterly impossible it is to land cattle either at Wellington or Castlepoict, so the question arises, how is it possible for breeders to improve their stock from the splendid herds of cattle now to be seen in Canterbury or Otago? I may say this very question was put to me on Saturday by a well-known runholder from tho South, who contemplated sending some valuable animals to the Wairarapa, but does not see his way clear to do so unless he were to hind them in Wanganui or Napier. Another question I would beg to ask — Can any sober-minded man tell me why travellers to and from the Wairarapa should suffer most abominably so long and wearisome journey by rail as 4£ hours from Masterton and 4 from Carterton, when the distance could easily be accomplished in 3i and 3 from the respective stations alluded top Just fancy the half-past ono train from Masterton on Saturday, with three southern gentlemen as passengers, actually performed the distance of 69|miles in 4 hours and 50 minutes ! Why, sir, I could find a broken-down mule to beat the Wellington iron horse over the same distance, if allowed half-an-hour's start. I am afraid travelling on the WelUngtonMasterton railway is but a farce. Then again that handsome Corporation fish market opposite the Post Office is also an abominable sight and farce ; and our Post Office is far from being a convenience to the publio ; and laßt but not least the absence of a landing place for cattle is a wont of foresight. Having made these observations I may say that in the matters alluded to I was unfortunately compelled to listen to remarks of a very sarcastic character from visitors. I trust that some abler pen will do me the justice to believe that my observations come from Mens sibi conscia becti.