WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145862, 22 June 1917, Page 8

WAITARA.

fBOU OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Juno 21.—The news that till© Arapawa is missing another ran to AA’aitara nas caused a good deal of irritation and inconvenience in the town, but so long as the reasons for the abandonment' of the trip are genuine people will not mind being inconvenienced in these times, at any rate, they will nut up with it. There is, however, a feeling that the excuses given are not altogether genuine. It would appear that AVaitara is allowing itself to be fooled, “all the ■way along the line.” A couple of years ago the Harbour Board was authorised by the people to obtain a loan for the improvement of the harbour, but the money has not been raised, and now it is too late, two years having expired sine© the sanction of the ratepayers was obtained. Other public bodies have .been able to raise thousands of pounds withput any trouble, including our own borough coinoil for electric lighting. And yet when it comes to the most important matter of improving the fort, one excuse after another is given why the loan cannot be raised which makes one conclude that there must be a lot of wire-pulling going on somewhere and that the AVaitara people are the inglorious and inanimate puppets. I understand that a meeting is to be called next -week for the purpose of forming a local branch of the Second Division League. At the meeting of the AVaitara Patriotic Committee on Monday there was a somewhat lengthy discussion on the eubjeot of raising funds; and it was decided that the Mayor should interview the Red Cross Ladies’ Guild, and the Young Ladies’ Guild with the object of ascertaining their views. The Mayor has since interviewed the ladies of the different societies, and, as usual, they at once promised their wholehearted help. In connection, with this event, which will probably be held on Labour Day, the Mayor has promised a thoroughbred AA r elsh pony, which should realise a substantial sum. as a good start. It was suggested at the meeting that there were possibly in AVaitara. others who would be willing to offer a sheep or other stock to help things along. The ladies’ committee have decided for the purpose of improving the Bed Cross Market days, to ask various interests Tn the town to take charge of the Start in turn.