OAONUI.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 10 August 1894, Page 3

OAONUI.

(Our own Correspondent.) A send-off in the shape of a social took place iu the school on the 31st July to Mr and Mrs Joseph Morrison, a good number being present. Mr Gane, who was voted to the chair, related the career of Mr and Mrs Morrison tince their advent here, speaking in the highest praise of them as neighbors and settlers, and wishing them success in health and pocket in their future home. Messrs Malcolm and McFie fallowed, endorsing all the Chairman had said, but added a little more. The remarks made by the speakers were applauded. Mr Morrison replied. Some capital songs were sung, and dancing took place at intervals during the evening. Miss McFie is deserving of special notice for her song. Miss Tail played for the dance in her' usual brilliant style, and as a tiraeist she has no equal in the district. The piano was kindly lent for the occasion by Miss G. Roberts. Provisions were as usual in full supply, and justice was done thereto. The proceedings terminated with “ Auld Lang Syne,” with a chorus of “ For he’s a jolly good fellow.” A hearty vote of thanks with acclamation was given Miss Tait for her kind assistance in playing and singing. Dancing was kept up until about 4 a.m. As a correspendent to your paper I have been requested to bring under the notice of Mr Alex. Morrison, of Eahotu —a member of the Parihaka E>ad Board the correspondence which has appeared iu your columns re the suspension of the ranger frotnce.’tain roads. As ratepayers it is information they should be enlightened on, so I think Mr Morrison will not object to give the desired information through your columns. I may say, as far as I am concerned, I learned from Mr Morrison himself that he is reaping a benelit from some road from which the ranger is forbidden to impound. He says a fence was across the road with slip-bars on which he runs stock, and also saves him erecting about twelve chains of fencing. He says he did not vote for the ranger to be suspended on this road, as it did not crop up. The fence was up when he bought the land, but I contended to him be that as it may, he took over this liability and made use of this road ; if not he would not be able to use it. I have ascertained from other members of the Board that the ranger is not to impound off any roads where there are any obstructions across them. The amusing part of this is, Mr Morrison said—at a meeting of the Board when I asked for the ranger to be suspended off the Manihi Road until a native reserve adjoining me was dealt with, so that the lessee could put up bis share of fence between me and it (I heard it at the Board’s meeting, I being present)—that if the ranger was suspended on that road he should be on all roads ;_but he voted for the ranger not to be suspended. "When men take office to represent raiepayers they ought to act fairly. Now this question of a member of the Board being protected : Is it just or fair for any member to get this coucession ? The complaint of ratepayers is, let the ganger impound first of all off all roads where members are interested, and then every other road. Then we are told that no more money is to be expended on roads where gates are erected across them. Do not the members know that on many roads scores of pounds have been expended ? Is all of this expenditure to be wasted, and then at any future time the gate is to be removed. A large amount of money has to be expended to do this work over again. Would the Board get a return prepared showing the number of obstructions across public ftads ? They are the body that can do so, although Mr Morrison asked one of your correspondents to tell him how many roads the ranger was suspended from. Now, it is not the business for a private ratepayer to do so for the edificationfof a member of a Coard, but the Board to do so for his and our information. A school committee meeting was held on the 4th August, when it was resolved to endorse the contents of a letter received from the Town School Committee, New Plymouth, to approach the Education Board to allow the committee to make holidays to suit their respective districts. The Education Board arc the people. They say in their new regulations: “No holidays or exchange of days will be permitted except with the special sanction of the Board.” The householders have shown latterly, in many instances, their views by ceasing to be committeemen. Well they might. I consider it is a farce. Let the Board do the lot.