THE MAORI HILL POST OFFICE.

Evening Star, Issue 14966, 28 August 1912, Page 3

THE MAORI HILL POST OFFICE.

TO me EDITOR. Eir,— in tout issue of Friday last Mr G. iM. Thomso’h makes an amazing complaint against my activities in connection with the establishment of a post office at Maori Hill. Air Thomson’s complaint is quite unusual—l have been too energetic in this matter; I should have consulted him. Let rne narrate the facts. The Mayor of Maori Hill (Air P. L. Clark) approached me sever-al months ago asking me to use my influence towards the establishment of a post office. I agreed to do so, believing that the importance of the borough demanded the conveniences of a post office. I advised the Mayor to also see Mr Thomson and my fellow Dunedin members of the Legislative Council. I approached and wrote the Postmaster-General of the day (Air Ell) urging the establishment of the post oflice. The late Alinister in charge answered my letter, saying that a definite decision would ho arrived at later. The new Alinister in charge (the Hon. R. H. Rhodes) further replied on the 9th inst. informing me that the department had decided to establish a pest office in the new ■Town Hall at .Maori Hill, but would not purchase the land adjoining the school,,as suggested by me. I sent the information to"those- who had been urging the work, and loft Wellington for Dunedin on the tame day. On Alonday morning, the 12th, I met one of your reporters in the street, and his "nose for nows’’ Jed him to ask if there was anything 1 could give him of interest to his readers. I told him the Government had decided to establish the post office, but would not purchase the land offered, and that the decision was conveyed me by letter from the Postmaster-Gcne- | ml. in reply to representations from rne. 1 The reporter paragraphed the facts in the I ‘ Evening Star' of that day. since when Air Thomson has apparently been suffering great anxiety lest anyone should think lie had not been active. Xot being satisfied with getting your Wellington correspondent to assure your leaders that he had been active in this matter of the post office. Air Thomson now writes to you protesting against my activity. After quoting part of your pirn,graph, lie says: “ While this statement may be correct as to facts." The facts of the case arc absolutely correct. Apparently Air Thomson objects to your reporter saying that I had “ been making energetic efforts to have established in Maori Hill a post, office.” The italics are Air Thomson's, and show his ground of petty protest. For lie is member for the district, ami I have- no right-—indeed, Mr Thomson says I have- boen guilty of a breach of etiquette—“ to come in between a member of Parliament and his consthu- j enls.” What an absurd suggestion'. I am a public man. Aly duty is to help forward j every deserving effort for the benefit of my i City, Province, and the Dominion. 1 am j asked to help in getting a post office es- j tablished in Alaori Hill. 1 approach the i Minister in charge, and in turn receive his reply. I communicate the. Alinister'? decision to those directly interested, give the substance of the Minister's letter to a reporter, anti then Mr Thomson childishly declares: "I thought bettor of Air Paul than to find him coming before the public of Dunedin North and claiming credit- for the work which I have been mainly instrumental in carrying through.'' And yet I j have lived in Dunedin North (part of the j time in Maori Hill) fur something over 12 | years, am a public man, and was ap- j preached by the Mayor and other promt- I nent men in the borough. Notwithstanding Air Thomson's objee- j timis. and I have -said they arc in this case j childish, I will continue- to help on any- I tiling which makes for the advancement of I any part of our City or Province. Surely j I must not stand still simply because I > might move in something Air Thomson ; was also aiding, and for the establishment i of which he might be wanting to get all the i praise! I may again annoy Mr Thomson, j but J am certain the public generally will agree with me that every public man should help push forward the work which lies nearest his hand. And Mr Thomson talks about etiquette. Fudge! He “ thought better of me,” etc. Aiore fudge! 1 will continue to push forward the things I believe in—so far as I n-m concerned, the : credit can take care of itself. .And Mr Thomson can think better or worse of me j as he pleases. So long as he can never toll I the people of Otago that I am not energetic in helping forward their iu.lere.Hri 1 will be satisfied. His objection here seems that I display too ranch energy. It is net a valid objection, and Air Thomson should know better than raise it.—l am, etc.. J. I. Paul. Wellington, August 26.