WAIRERE NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7060, 20 January 1902, Page 4

WAIRERE NOTES.

-« (From our own Correspondent)Mondavi As we havo had two successive days without rain, thcro is hopo that tho road may soon sulliciontly improve to tempt carriers to niaKo another effort to remove the wool, which in nioro sheds than ono is still locked up—.l source of anxiety to tho owners from pjssible liros, and also, whilst so situated, totally unrcmunorativo to tho sheep-farmer. But whilst this grievous state of things still obtains in regard to our roads, rate notices are still served, and rates collected with scrupulous regularity. It does not seem to occur to our sapient Councillors that when a block takes place on a public road it is their duty to remove it at the cost of the general fund if tho rates accruing from that particular part of the district is insufficient for the purpose. Why should any individual ratepayer he blocked and penalised for all time because ii land slip occurs in hisimmediato neighbourhood; it was surely through no fault of his that tho roud becanio impassable. As a rule, there is too much parish work in the distribution of rates. Bill Snooks pays ten shillings in rates, therefore givo Bill Snooks back his ten shillings; Jimmy Button pays live shillings in rates, therefore givo Jimmy Button back his five shillings in expenditure somewhero in his vicinity—whether his part of tho road requires it or not. Tho rates should not be individualised to the extent they are ; there should be a large Keserve Fund to meet contingencies such as I have referred to. It is unjust, if not absurd, to be frittering away money in keeping one part of tho road in a high state of polish, whilst another part is allowed to remain in a permanent state of quagmire. Quite a scare was given the other night to a party returning homo somewhat late after spending the evening at a neighbour's house. The night was pitch dark, and on approaching the back of their residence there \vii3 every appearance of a fire or blaze of light in the wood-shed. Hurrying up to ascertain the cause, they were greatly relieved to find that the illumination was due to a stack of firewood, which whs in a highly phosphoric condition. Though the explanation was clear, the feeling of alarm was not easily dispelled, as nothing like it hud ever been seen before. If there is a supposition with some that liberality or charity is tin an attribute more often emanating from the wealthy than the poor, let them disabuse themselves of this illusion, for the very reverse of tins is the case, and wero the relief of misfortune and poverty dependent only upon what is done b,y those in alHuent circumstances, it is sad to think how much would be left undone. We are pleased to give an example which may be a light to guide the footsteps of others, for it is worthy of imitation. A poor and humble carrier was requested to send in his account for some Mork he had done. He wrote as follows : " I have no account against the Church, as [ am always willing to help in anyway I can, so gladly give the cartage." Some consider it a meritorious deed to give a trifle from a full purse ; but when charity proceeds from all but an empty one, freely and with pleasure, the action savours of the sublime. Those members of the Acclimatization Society who were responsible for introducing the bird nuisance should wear sack-cloth for the remainder of their days and throw dust upon their heads, as some atonement for the mischief they have done. Writing to a small settler, who grows fruit for sale, the reply was as follows : " Dear Sir, I beg to inform you that the birds have taken all my strawberries, raspberries, plums and cherries this year. I have a few gooseberries and blackberries left, but perhaps they may not leave them long." To tar and feather those busy bodies would be the right thing to do, as a hint to cease any further importation.