A GRIEVANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11956, 1 February 1901, Page 3

A GRIEVANCE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— Kindly allow me sufficient space in your valued paper to bring into nofcico acts of gross injustice to the residents of Moeraki. Some time ago. a sum was placed on the Estimates to bo spent at Moeraki, and it was determined to build baths with the grant. They were built, but owing to lack of interest on the part of the Bath Triwt and other reasons they were allowed to fall out of repair. The residents of Hampden had long looked with envious eyes at tho bathe, and thought they were far more fitted to adorn the Hamptlep Beach than' that of Moeraki.' A meeting was held by the surviving members of the Bath Trust "(who, to all intents and purposes, are residents of Dunedin) and the Domain Board, when it was resolved to shift tho bathhouse to Hampden. Credit must be given to tho two Moeraki members of said board, who strenuously opposed the motion, but were over-ruled. What I desire to draw attention to is, by what authority were they empowered to shift the bath-house, also dispose of two tanks the property of the said residents? Now, I hold the proceedings of the Hampden members of the Domain Board was illegal, and they should be compelled by some means to make restitution for such barefaced proceedings. Granted the baths were rarely u6ed, but still the fact remains that they belonged to Moeraki, and, as I mentioned before, it was only through sheer neglect on (he part of those who had control of them that they were so seldom used. Had tho tr«9t been vested 111 local hands such matters I complain of would not have occurred, and I hope our member will take this hint and endeavour to appoint a local body. Wo have been a long-suffering community, and, to mako matters worse, the Land Board has leased some of our recreation grounds; but tho usual conditions of leaso have been thoroughly ignored by the lessee during a period of nearly five years. I consider had the ranger done his duty the lessee would have long since been compelled to carry out the terms of lease in their entirety, to the great benefit of all parties concerned. Also, our foreshores arc even fenced in to the extent of 20 chains, enclosing one out of the only two waterholes in the' township. Why should such acts bo permitted to the detriment of the majority, causing a long detour by visitors and others to reach our far-famed

beaches? But the climax of our troubles was. reached by losing our bath-house. Surely something musk be done to obviate the evil complained. I feel assured some■ ot the numerous visitors would corroborate tne statementaj have made regarding venience they and others have been subjec to.—l am, etc., ' Resident.