RANGATAUA-KING COUNTRY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12429, 31 March 1908, Page 6

RANGATAUA-KING COUNTRY.

(From ou#ow'n Correspondent.) The spoken word of the Minister for Rrtilwiyb, to the effect that the lino from Mataroa to Rangataua will be taken over by the Eaihvay department in June next. is glad news to the inhabitants of thisdistrict, as the present excessive chargeon the necessaries of life add greatly tc the cost of living. It is to be hoped that the words arc true.

It behoves certain Government officials in our township to take a pull, otherwise there will be trouble in the camp. The public will not stand too much nonsense. On a recent Saturday it was very aparent to> those outside the circle that £!omooue',s "birthday" was being celebrat cd. That liquor is retailed somewhere is a well known fact, a-nd the eye of thr law, in the shape of Constable Carey, is already on the watch. The sober members of the community trust that his efforts will not be in vain.

I hear that a , pleasant little ceremony took place recently at which Mr Trask. the popular henchman at our local sawmill, who has lately joined the ranks of the benedicts, was the recipient of some valuable presents from Iris many friends in and out of the mill. ' That good luck may attend the happy couple is the fervent vish of one and all.

Rain has been falling steadily for the last week, and at last attention can bo given to other things than the dreaded bush fires.

Reverting to the Railways, it is to be hoped that when the Department does take over the line that the powers that be will consider the advisability of tunning trains to suit the public, not themseVes. We want to be able to reach Wanganui and Pahnerston, and perhaps Wellington, in the one day. Why should we be forced to spend-our time and money in Taihape? The- traffic will, I'm sure, warUntf a better • service. We should now be getting better treatment in the way of accommodation on the trains. To travel 30 odd miles in crowded dog boxes is beyond a ioke. The reason, I n-elieve, is that the Railway Department charge the Public Works Department excessive sums for the use of boxes,- and so we see the railways prosper from year to year — fictitious profits. I notice that the Education Department have, not thought fit -to mention our school' at its recent meeting. A school we must have, and that soon. I will probably have more to say on this important question at some future time.