THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1909 OUR TOWNSHIPS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 177, 29 July 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1909 OUR TOWNSHIPS.

THE progress and development of the King Country during the last few years is of such extent that general attention is now being directed towards the •ii.strict from all quarters. It is quite •i to to assert, moreover, that were there no difficulties in the shape of tenure to contend against, the march of progress would be very very much t asicr and more pronounced than it is. The first signs of awakening interest in the district, and the beginning of European settlement led to certain centres on the railway being set apart as townships, under a Native lease ten-

ure. The details of the township scheme were badly considered, and experience has demonstrated that in order to make provision for reasonable progress, and to conserve the interests of prospective settlers and industrialists, much more liberal conditions should have been propounded. This is assuming that Native leasehold was necessary in the first instance. With this view we are entirely at variance. Social and political theories and reform, are only useful when applied in conformity with the social and political conditions of the period, and it is bard to imagine that under any set of conditions the theory of Native township leaseholds would be considered a reform. To the practical person with any experience of settlement it is evident that a distinctly retrograde movement was made in foisting the Native towships on the country, and the task ahead of our pioneers in getting matters placed on a just and equitable basis is a heavy one. This is all the more to be deplored when it is recognisted that by the exercise of reasonable and statesmanlike action on thn part of our administrators a freehold tenure could have been provided. Such provision would have been in the best interests cf all concerned, and would have settled for all time the question of township responsibility, and made easy the path ot progress and local government, a path which at present is strewn with anything but roses. It is now stated that a new centre is to be added to the list of King Country townships in the form of Kawa. An area of about eighty acres of Native land on the Western side of Kawa station is being surveyed into quarter acre sections, and is to be offered to the public at as earlya date as possible. An important feature in connection with the scheme is the statement that the sections will be offered upon a much more satisfactory tenure than is at present obtainable for other Native townships. "Satisfactory" is an illuminating word to apply, though it is to be doubted whether residents in other Native townships will experience a particularly keen sense of satisfaction in the matter. We are all

taught to rejoice- in another's joy, and grieve at another's -or row. Our sympathies naturally extrnd io suffering feilow mortals, but our joy in another's good fortune is apt to be tempered by the realisation of our own misfortune in comparison, and the comparison in the case under review is certainly not calcuated to inspire other Native township residents with the liveliest sort of joy. Inasmuch as the circumstance points to the fact that the authorities are learning by experience, however, the announcement regarding the tenure is satisfactory. The knowledge that the experience has been gained at our expense should stimulate public spirit in township residents generally, and if such knowledge should lead to our people directing strong and per iistent effort towards improving our conditions, we shall at least have cause to experience a modified form of satisfaction. COUNTY ELECTION. THE contest for the position of councillor for Te Kuiti Riding on the Waitomo County Council, which took place on Wednesday, discloses a highly satisfactory state of affairs as far as the public weal of Te Kuiti is concerned. Primarily the satisfaction should be felt at the opportunity of choosing between two such eminently suitable candidates as Mr Pine and Mr Boddie, and the healthy tone of local public matters is clearly indicated by the fact that the individual ratepayers recognised that either of the candidates would worthily represent them on the Council. Mr Boddie's return was perhaps to be expected, inasmuch as he is a town resident, and has taken a prominent hand in various public matters affecting the interests of the majority of the voters. Mr Pine's daily efforts have necessarily been devoted to his rural interests, and bis personality has thus not been presented so prominently to the majority. While expressing satisfaction at the result of the poll, the bulk of the rate payers will experience regret that both candidates could not be provided with seats on our local body. However there are other opportunities than those offered by the County Council for taking part in our public affairs, and Mr Pine's expressed willingness to assist the district in this respect is distinctly gratifying, and indicates clearly that the district is appealing strongly to its most capable and public spirited men.