POMIAHAKA DOWNS.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 33

POMIAHAKA DOWNS.

December 1. — "All sorts of weather" has been the order of the day for some time back — principally very cold, which is causing the crops to look bad.

The Outlook. — In the course of a private interview with "General" Hughan, I learned that peace has been declared. One settler, I understand, has been driven acrc_ss the river into the fastnesses of the Blue Mountains. It is to be regretted that a serious loss has taken place in the flock of this settler, some 500 odd sheep having been lost, stolen, or strayed ; at least such was the case when I last heard, about a week ago. I hope they will turn up somehow, and I trust the "general" has not been commandeering them. Now that peace has been declared it would be a very graceful act on the part of the victors, by way of peace celebrations, to remit a half-year's rent from all those who stood loyal and did not take tip arms against them, or to make such honourable mention of the loyalists (is would ensure their names being written on the roll of fame.

Jottings. — The Hon. J. G-. Ward, in the course of his address in Clinton the other night, told us how he was going to open up the country by means of light railways. He did not actually mention the Clinton-Poma-haka Downs line, but from his remarks at the banquet about the increased traffic that would soon take place at the Clinton railway station, and his allusion to the opening of another railway station, I think he has that line in view, especially for the tourist traffic, for I am sure many would visit the Downs were it only to get a sight of those intrepid settlers who fought against the soil, the unruly elements, and the "Commander-in-chief of the Land Forces" until their ammunition was exhausted — in some cases even fighting without ammunition. Mr Ward also said, in speaking of the cheap money scheme that if we hadn't cheap money we ought to have it. That is a hint for us all to act upon.

Rebate on Rents. — In reading portions of the debate in the House on this subject I was under the impression that tenants in arrears would also get the 10 per cent, reduction in rent, provided they paid up promptly. However, in the Witness a fortnight ago I- saw the law laid down, and there I saw that tenants m arrears did not come under this rebate. Now 1 should just like to ask the Hon. Mr Seddon whether he thinks this is doing the right thing to those who have helped to put him in power? In this rebate he is simply playing into the hands of the moneyed man, but

the poor, struggling settler who can hardly make •ends meet, and has consequently got a bit into arrears of rent, and who most needs a helping hand, is ground down to the uttermost farthing. O ! Seddon, Seddon, I'm ashamed of you..

The School. — I understand that a ineeting of householders took place last week in the school to take into consideration certain letters that had been written by a member of the committee to the Ec!ucation=33oard reflecting on the present teacher. lam sorry I was unable to be present oa this memorable occasion, but one who was. there tells me the fun was fast and furious and that it was the best night he had ever spent on the Downs, the offending member being hurled from his seal on the committee, and barely escaping with his life. We don't do things by halves here.