SALVAGE FROM THE MANUKA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20917, 6 January 1930, Page 5

SALVAGE FROM THE MANUKA.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —ln yesterday’s paper Mr Murray Fuller falls foul of the report 'of the Commissioner of Police in regard to the state of matters on the beaches at Long Point and other places. He gives a very good idea of the extent of sen front needing to be patrolled, but surely his intelligence would suggest that there would need to be an army of “ authorised persons” to do all he seems to expect. Had these pictures of his waited on the beach for the “authorised” party to lift theni there would have been none recovered at all. They were floating and being battered on the rocks, and another tide would have either washed them but to sea again or made them altogether worthless. Mr Fuller shows little thankfulness for those pictures he has managed to retrieve, My little girl fished out Lucy Kemp Welsh’s “Farm Yard Scene.” It was frayed round the edges of the frame, and had a hole hi the roof, just where the artist should have painted one, but otherwise was in good order. I did my best to dry it carefully, and my son took it to the police station at Owaka. So far we have never got a word of thanks. Mr Fuller is very much indebted to those “ unauthorised ” persons who picked up the pictures coming ashore. Most of the wreckage is smashed beyond recognition and is of little value unless as souvenirs. The Customs officer is getting all he possibly can out of it. As a local resident who was early on the scene on the morning of the wreck and has spent two or three days- among the rocks, I think the report of Mr MTlveney, Commissioner of Police, is fair and just.—l am, etc..

William F. Craigie Ratanui. January 4.

POLICY IN CENTRAL OTAGO TO THE EDITOR. Sia»-What iniquity of the United Party and of the Otago Land Board will be_ unearaied next? Were any further evidence rSauired to substantiate the contention thafcxthe United Party’s Otago Land Board inheres to a policy, regardless of the obvious discrepancies emanating from the pursuance of such a policy, entirely lacking in accord with the avowed policy of the United Party, such evidence would be amply provided by the Land Board’s assertion that the properties of Hyde Bros, were unsuited for the purposes of subdivision.

We cannot distinctly say from what motive the Otagc Land Board made such a statement, but we maintain, without tear of contradiction, that this area could easily be divided into 12 sections. It would be a matter of considerable interest to ascertain if Mr F. Hyde transferred part of his property to his brother With the consent and approval of the Otago Land Board. If so, when was such transfer effected, and were the details published in the daily papers? If not, why not?

The property of Mr Goodger would, no doubt, benefit by subdivision. This area, containing, as it does, thousands of acres or flats suitable for cultivation, could well be divided into 10 sections. The water supply -would be ample, as the Crown has the first right to all water in the Lindis River and all the tributaries thereto. The expenditure incurred would be a matter of little or no The sum of -£2OO would be sufficient. The area is unquestionably tar m excess of that necessary to provide scope for the energies of Mr Goodger and' his sons. It is impossible for them to improve the country to the utmost owing to its great extent. The only remedy is to subdivide. Mr Bodkin, with all the versatility of a member of the legal brigade, and evidencing no compunction whatever, on a recent expedition, with a view to assuaging the manifest disgust and dissatisfaction. spoke gently and kindly, as befitted «,-1 b s c 9? b }2P’ ai 3 d Pflibly assured his sheep (through the mouthpiece of his own Cromwellian loud speaker) that he was about to depart to influence the Minister of Public Works in favour of his electors and to bring about the desired irrigation of the Cromwell Flat. In passti£ucd e a - dd , that J , lr Bodkin’s continued and singular silence respecting tlie subdivision and irrigation of Sir trooager s property has brought down unInvoiirable comment upon his head. But ■Mr Bodkin afterwards considered fiat

fishing on the shores of Lake Hawea was a more congenial occupation and in consequence has deferred his projected interview with the Minister —we presume, indefinitely. By such utter disregard for the wishes of his electors and such unparalleled actions on the part of a representative, Mr Bodkin has himself unleashed the dogs of political warfare. ' Democrat" apparently does not attribute those qualities of intelligence to Mr Bpdfcin which are generally associated with, and vested in, a politician. Any attempt, by Mr Bodkin to reply in the amrmative to the questions submitted by Democrat" must inevitably be fatal to Mr Bodkin's tenure of his seat. In conclusion, we may say that we are no longer disposed to be deliberately hoodwinked by either the Land Board or Mr Bodkin, and we are at a loss to understand why Mr Bodkin does not subdivide in order that he may be assured of a majority when the public comes to consider to what extent the United Party carried out its pledges.—l am, etc., „ „ , StrßDmsiON. Cromwell, January 3.