RURAL RECONSTRUCTION.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECMTOR."3 SIR,—I do hope you will do what you can to impress upon the Government the hopelessness of entrusting village reforms to Rural District or Parish Councils. I speak from intimate knowledge of a typical village in the West of England, in which I have taken a deep interest for fourteen years.
Both Councils consist almost entirely of farmers—small- holders, in fact—who in many cases own their farms. They are up against reforms of any kind. For matey years I have tried to get a water Supply scheme carried through (ten of the wells have been condemned, more than once, by the Medical Officer). The school with one hundred and thirty children is supplied by a pump from at well! The cost was estimated at about £100, as there is ample water above the level of the village close by. Nothing alone, end then the war. Last winter the Agricultural Committee inquired of the Parish Council if allotments were wanted, and the reply was sent, without one tingle inquiry, "No." Subsequently the news leaked out, and I was appealed to, and after every possible obstruction and difficulty from the Parish Council, I managed by April to obtain an order vesting some land in an association I formed, sufficient for sixteen allotments of one-eighth of an acre each. The only people who did not object were the owner and his tenant, and they were quite helpful. The whole of the allot- ments were token up at once, and were under full cultivation last summer. The same Parish Council were asked if cottages were wanted. Same reply, and under same circumstances, although we are actually in desperate straits for a house for the schoolmaster and for the police, and there are no cottages vacant. Years ago I founded a village rending-room, and the freehold, with the building, are now in the hands of trustees free of debt, and under the management of a village Committee. No farmer, except one, has ever taken the slightest interest in it, but the reverse; "it keeps the Inds up too late." The only body who can do anything in these places is the County Council, and that because they have no close local representa- tion. I do not wish to publish my name, but it is at your service in ease of need.—I am, Sir, Ac., Res.
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