NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 945, 22 May 1920, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

LINKS WITH THE PAST,

IN another column of this issue appears a paragraph relating to the bad state of disrepair in which the Rewi Maniapoto house and memorial have been allowed to fall, and stating that Mr Selwyn Mays, the well-known solicitor, of Auckland, would interest himself in obtaining the Victoria League’s aid. It should be laid down by the Government that these memorials—links with historic days—should not be allowed to fall into decay. There is little enough sentiment at the present day, and it would indeed be hard were materialism to.* cause the falling of these historic edifices, so rare in New Zealand. There was a case in point at Tamaki, only last year, when the Bishop of Auckland ordered the destruction of St. John’s College, for three score and ten years a landmark; and a ruin on which one could not look unmoved. The Orakau and Maniapoto memorials, near Te Awamutu, have equally as niucli sentiment attached to them, and it is the duty of the people, besides the Government, to help preserve these priceless relics so full of historical memories.

MR DOWN’S DEPARTURE,

The departure of Mr J. Down, for seven years superintendent of ,the Waikeria Reformatory, will be felt by the whole district of Te Awamutu. It is due to the unstinted efforts of this popular and efficient officer, that the many reforms and innovations of prison control and routine were made, and to him is all credit due for the present unique efficiency that characterises the government of the Waikeria reformatory. Mr Down came to Waikeria when it was merely a collection, of whares. Since his appointment the present splendid building has been erected, and, under his administration, the present state of efficient management was evolved. Mr Dunlop, who is the deputy, leaves practically simultaneously with Mr Down, and he is also to be congratulated on his work. It is probable that Mr Down will leave early in the next week for New Plymouth, where he has been appointed.