ORETI PLAINS.

Western Star, Issue 377, 4 September 1880, Page 2

ORETI PLAINS.

(FRdk OXTEOWKCOBBBBPOWDBNT.) The settlers in tbis j district;,are plodding quietly along, ge'ting ploughing done, and the ground ready for sowing. The few fine days we have had lately, with the larks in full song, remind us that spring time } is here. It is pleading to see so many of the settlors improving the appearance of homes eads by planting trees, both Fruit and for shelter. There are few things that improve the appearance of. a homestead so much as a few tree* growing a l 'out. Our school is iu full swing with a goo I attendance, weekly increasing as the day stretches. The memorial toget a postal service between Wmtnn and the schoolliouse has been duly fo - warded at the risk of again arousing the wrath of " Oreti Plains Settler," whose letter appeared in your issue of July 21>th. I must again say:a littlo abeut Gladfield p-»st-oflice. " Oreti Plains Settler" characterises my f-rmer-remarks as " 1 e< frao end to .end,'* (rather strong is it not) and was greatly offended becauxe I did not mention th • arrangements first made for a mail service to Gladfield. What waa the u*e, since these arrangements were altered ? I must thank "Oreti Plains Settler" for his P. S. in explaining about the new service, and why the news was so old by the time the mail reached Gladfield; but he did not say anything about why the public had to wait for hours, and ride over the iun for miles, before finding; anyone to unlock the post-office door and give them letters. Of course the small remuneration the postmaster receives will not allow aim to lose much time over the duties, but if he could not attend to it, he should not have taken the office in hand. That Grladfield is the most central and suitable position for the extensive district of Oreti Plains is not the case, except for Q-ladfield itself, which comprises somewhere about 14,000 or 15,000 acres. With such au extent of country in one property, how can it be suitable for settlers outside that estate? There may be five or six settlors at the one corner, but I am sure there are no more who wish their communication by that route after all the talk about the numerously signed memorial w© hear about; but who saw it. I suppose it suits the Gladfield people very well, for whom no doubt it was in:ended,. and if the Government can afford a mail service for their benefit, well and good ; but I for one object to have it called the most suitable for any settler in Oreti Plains except Gladfield itßelf. I do not wish, to bring derision and contempt on that institution, but to point out the uusuitablenesa of the service, and still more Gladfield as the place for a post-office. If " Oreti PUin» Settler" thiuks my remarks bring derision and contempt on that institution, I cannot help it; "facts »r» chields that winna ding."