THE ORUAWHARO FOREST LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5493, 25 June 1879, Page 6

THE ORUAWHARO FOREST LANDS.

TO TUB EDITOP-. Sir, —Please allow me space to answer one portion of Mr. A. Steventon's lottar, which appeared in your issue of the 7th. He says : " Wharehine district has not received one penny of benefit from the sale of lands known as Brame's Trust, Port Albert." The head might just as well say to the man, " You have given your legs new trousers, but you have given me nothing. I have not received any benefit." If Oruawharo settlers chose to divide into a number of districts, it is no reason whj each should get share and share alike with Matakoho and Paparoa. That simply is a matter for adjustment amongst themselves in the division of their own share. Tho deed—a copy of which is now before me—distinctly states that the proceeds from the Bale of the lauds in question shall be for the benefit of the Oruawharo, Matakohe, and Paparoa districts. Mr. A. Steventon should get a copy of the trust deed, and see for himself" whether his distriet is mentioned therein. Had he done so, I feel sure hia letter would not have appeared in the form it did. I like to see a man stick up for the rights of the district he resides in, and, to my mind, ho has a perfect risht to get a fair share not of the general funds, but of the portion obtained by some Highway District in said Oruawharo, of . which \Vharehino is part. I believe the general opinion of the ratepayers in the Matakohe district is adverse to the attack of ; our neighbours on Mr. Edgar. We are all anxious for a friendly settlement of the matter, and therefore have kept free from any paper war. Yet we are quite ready i and willing to take the field when there is just cause, but not until then. If your cor- • respondent "E.P. " would furnish me with his name and address, I shall, through the medium of your paper, give the answers required, which shall prove his statement false. Ten pounds per annum is the highest salary received by auy secretary and collector conjointly from the Matakohe Board, and the Inspector is paid per diem for actual working time. There is to be a meeting of ratepayers on the 2Sth, to consider the advisability of petitioning the Government to abolish the County Council system. It is to be hoped other settlements wilt join in the movement. Road Boards, with extended powers, will do all that is required in districts so sparsely populated as ours. —I am, &c, John R. Lambert, Secretary to the Matakohe D. Board.