The Wairoa Bell, AND Hobson County Gazette. FRIDAY, JUNE 24th

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 151, 24 June 1892, Page 4

The Wairoa Bell, AND Hobson County Gazette. FRIDAY, JUNE 24th

We’have repeatedly called attention to the most unsatisfactory shelter accommodation at the Opanake station and no doubt Mr. Houston our member, has made a note of this urgent requirement and will press the matter before the authorities. There are, however, other matters connected with this terminal station that require speedy attention. The station, as far as we can learn, is separated from the main road by a strip of native owned property,

public connect 21% link between the station and the road. A road, it is said, has been surveyed but its conveyance to the public is not completed. And, we are informed, that persons taking goods on wheels from the station to the road have had to pay toll to the Natives ; one gentleman having been charged as much as ten shillings for the privilege of cartiug a piano over a few chains of native land.

The settlers around and those doing business from the Opanake station for a long time were subjected to great inconvenience by the lack of a bridge over the creek which lies between the road and the railway, and to supply the deficiency they, after having appealed to those in custody of the public purse without effect, subscribed a sum of money which was suplemented by a grant of £5 from the County Funds, and erected a suspension bridge. The bridge jiroved itself of great service, but, alas, the floods came and the bridge was carried away and the public are again placed at a great disadvantage in approaching the terminal station of the Kaihu Valley Government Railway. Residents may well ask what is the use of ajrailway and a station when a roaring torrent intervenes between it and the road. Agitate, agitate, agitate seems to be the only way to success in endeavouring to procure the expenditure of public money in a district, and those who have the most impudence are often the most successful. But, however much this may be the case it should rot be necessary in a work of such urgency as the one we urge, and we hope that our member, Mr Houston, will take the matter up vigorously and see to its accomplishment. Mr R. Thompson, the member for Marsden, has a warm place in the hearts of many in this district and he has already shown himself willing and active in the interests our locality, and we recommend the matter to him feeling sure that he will assist our member.