CORRESPONDENCE.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 39, 29 August 1911, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(Out correspondents opinions are their own; the responsibility of editorial items makes sufficient ballast for the editor's should ders. It is necessary that all letters for publication should bear the name of the writer — not necessarily foi publication, buSyvs evidence of good faith.) ~y (TO THE EDITOR.) SIR, —In reply to the Rev. F. W. Clarke’s letter appearing in yesterday’s POST, I desire to say that his explanation is entirely satisfactory, in regard 'to his apology for my absence from, and sympathy, with the Kihikihi Band of Hope and no-license meeting of the 12th inst. Although uttered by him I did not consider that the mistake was on his part, and his letter confirms this opinion. In reference to Mr O. Price Owen’s letter, also in yesterday’s POST, I regret that he has not seen his way to withdraw his misrepresentation.

I take the following sentence from his letter, which is the only part of it that concerns me. “I certainly left him with, as I thought the apology, as expressed by him, and handed to the chairman by myself.” I cannot learn from this statement, whether, the writer of it means to convey that my apology was oral or written, and this makes my reply more difficult. It is true Mr O. Price Owen called here to see me in the afternoon of the day on which the Band of Hope meeting was held, and meeting outside the Presbytery, he said “The ladies (presuming he meant those of the Kihikihi branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, under whose auspices the meeting was held) desired me to call and invite you to our meeting tonight” (or words to that effect). My reply was, “ I will be twenty miles away to-night”; then excused not inviting him into the Presbytery as being about leaving on the journey. He then turned to leave when I added “ I suppose you will have a large, meeting to-night.” Th'ese were the exact and the only words I ever spoke to Mr O. Price Owen in reference to the Kihikihi Band of Hope Meeting. And if he gave my written apology to the Rev. chairman it was nothing less than a forged document.

I should like to ask him is it likely that I would convey regret for absence from a Band of Hope meeting, as I never attended at such, although by so doing I would be in good company ? Or is it probable that I would convey my sympathy with the object of a no-license meeting, as, having always voted with those who do not believe that no-license is a means of improving the moral state of any community or of any country ? To do so would be to act in a very strange manner, to say the least.

Even had I acted in this unaccountable manner why should I object, as soon as my name appeared in the POST, with the names of the deservedly-respected clergy of the district ? Especially as every Catholic priest in the Dominion is entirely free to vpte either on behalf of continuance or no-license, etc., as he considers best. And, as a matter of fact, there are some priests in this country who believe in no-license, although they are in the minority. _ ’ Sufficient has now been said to show Mr O. Price Owen that he has made the misrepresentation complained of—-not wilfully, I hope —and that he will now withdraw it without qualifications of any kind, so as to enable us to be as good friends in the future as we have been in the past. —I am, etc., T. P. Lynch. The Rresbytery, Kihikihi, August 26th, 1911. TO THE EDITOR. SIR, —Mr J. B. Teasdale is to be commended on his change of front and his consequent motion in favour of a water supply, at the public meeting on Wednesday last. It is only the hidebound, unprogressive, blustering landgrabbing conservative who closes his ears to logical Argument in matters of reform, Mr Teasdale, who has “ for mie past 35 years worked arduously, gratuitously, and self-sacrificing- , ly in the interests and for the progress of Te Awamutu,” proved conclusively at that meeting that he is not of the detestable Tory class. The pessimism of his remarks at of the meeting (“The scheme was before its time,” “There were other things of greater importance than water”) and (after hearing the opinions of the other ratepayers) the optimism of his motion, whereby he voluntarily jumped the proposed loan of £15,000 up to £20,000, must ever stand as a monument tq that

gentleman’s openmindedness and amenability. His action should satisfy the most sceptical of his honest desire to serve the public to the best of his own and every other body’s ability. There are those who are apt to forget what is due to our public men, and no one perhaps has had more reason to note this forgetfulness than Mr Teasdale ; but that gentleman may rest assured that his efforts as affecting Te Awamutu, whether as townsman, or more especially as County Councillor, will, from this out, be watched and appraised at their true value. —I am, etc., Water. TO THE EDITOR. Slß,—There was nothing lukewarm or flat about the meeting of last Wednesday night, when our ratepayers, meaning business, met to discuss the advisability of having a water supply, consequently* it proved to be a good solid substantial meeting, and our Town Board is to be congratulated. The response and enthusiasm shown will most certainly prove it to be the most important step for the advancement and progress that our town has yet known. Already the news of that meeting has been flashed over different parts of the Dominion, and our town has been termed! “ Progressive Te Awamutu.” What about the pessimist’s side now ? Before we have the water supply ready we shall have fresh tenants ready and willing to lighten the burden of the landlord, who will gladly pay the extra taxation for the benefit of a healthful natural water supply., We can have the water without the drainage, but cannot reverse the order, and how easily the latter may be accomplished once the former is installed. Our Town Board and ratepayers are deserving of our * very best thanks, and like true Britons they are looking right ahead. The lamentations and wailings of the pessimists are steadily growing lainter. The burden may be heavier for a short time, but the greatly increased value of property will more than compensate efforts thus taken to permanently and benefiicially endow our town with one of the greatest gifts, good water. That any one could suggest that this proposal is before its time is too ludicrous for comment. Just for a moment imagine The vile compound we call water that we are giving our children to drink. After a spell of dry weather the roofs of our houses become' coated, and the sediment in the gutters impregnated with dust, dirt, microbes, insects, , and a hundred and one otlier things. • A light shower of rain comes and washes all these abominations into our tanks, and we placidly give this water to our boys and girls, when Nature has bestowed such a rich supply of water all round us ; and then we quibble and risk the health of our children. Whv ? Just because of £ s. d. Again I say, Bravo, Town Board and ratepayers ! Keep the flag flying with more than ever determination. That which did thirty-five years ago will not do now. —I am, etc., DULCIE.