EAST GORE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1586, 15 April 1882, Page 12

EAST GORE.

(FROM A CORRESPOND BST.)

East Gore and Gore aro now created "town districts," tho former uuder the title of " Gordon." The two Boafda of Commissioners aro in full workinpr ordor, and I think we of Goidon can fairly claim to have the most prudont Boa»d, although many predicted the contrary prior to tho election, especially some of our frienda over tho water. One very valuable point our Board has scored is the appointment of Mr T. B. M'Neil (surveyor) as clork, survoyor, engineer, and collector, at a salary of £25 por annum ; while the Gore Town Board, who know of hi* (Mr M'Noil's) services being at their disposal, call for tenders for a map of their town and tor levels of the streeta, which of itself will cost considerably over two years' salary such as we are now paying, and all such work done for us, including valuation, collecting, and clerkship. I notice by the report of the Gore Board's last meeting that tho Commissioners had to employ a solicitor to read the Rating Act of 1876 to them. Now we have avoided this unneceasary expense, which, together with the taking of levels and map, will be a very considerable saving of our funds. If the Gore Board continue in their present extravagance 1 fear their roads will not get much money spent upon them. " Experience teaches fool* ;" it may teach the Gore Board. While speaking of towa boards and their prospects I am at a loss to understand how it id that Itast Gore (now Gordon) has been so very illiberally dealt with in regard to reserves, while on the other hand Gore has a very large quantity. There is a screw loose somewhere. One municipal reserve in Gore particularly is worth a very largo sum of money, which will alone recoup the lavish expenditure I have referred to, if it does not it will be worse bungling than the mapping and levels folly. Thia valuable municipal section is immediately opposite tho site of the new rail-way-station, adjoining Messrs Canning and Co., and is admirably adapted for a hotel— in fact the best site in the town of Gore. This site, if properly advertised, should bring in a very handsiome revenue ; but that will not benefit us, lam sorry to say. Our Board last week tried the Waste Lands Board to set aside some sections as reserves, but to no purpose. I suppose there is nothing for it but to wait patiently until we grow a little ; then we will make our voice heard and felt with a vengeance. Pigs running at lartre have been lor months pa3t a great nuisance. I ani glad to sco that our Board have issued instruci ions to have this nuiaanco abated. Our local body seem determined to attend most diligently to our wants and requirements. Harvest operations are nearly all over ; most of the farmera are delightod with thoir anticipated returns. Our gooda-shed is still without a man to look after it, and now the grain season has started the shed will be in a state of confusion and annoyance, in place of being a boon. Our local paper, the Ensign, suggested that the man in charge of the bridge should be put in charge of the Bhed also. This is a very good idea, as the man on the bridge is not employed one-fourth of tho day, and this extra employment would suit him (with all due respect) financially, physically, and mentally. Settlers in the Waikaka and Chatton districts are bestirring themselves with reference to the construction of the Gore-Kelso line of railway. This will be a great advantage to a great many settlers, when comP Mr John M'Kenna, of Otama, had three stacks of oats burned last week ; they were uninsured. The act looks very like one of wilful incondiariam. The attention- of the detective department of police should be directed to it. While speaking ot police, I do not see why we are deprived of the services of a constable for the preservation of law and order. A few days ano a robbery was committed in our main street, about mid-day, and the thief allowed to get clear off ; but lam glad to say his freedom was limited to a few days only. He is now safe in the Invercargill gaol. I suppose, under the regime of the present Government, there is no use in asking for a constable to be stationed here; if I thought there was, we would soon pray for one. We will in this, as in other matter.), "bide our time."