WOODVILLE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4129, 16 October 1884, Page 4

WOODVILLE.

Jfeom our own correspondent.]

Last evening the first meeting of tho newly constituted mimic Parliament was held, when about thirty peopie, including ladies and gentlemen, were present. Considering that it was a first attempt, the proceeding's were carried on very successfully indeed. Tho Premier elect brought down his policy, there being a Speaker and all other office-bearers duly appointed. The policy included matters chiefly of local interest, uucli as the Gorge railway, Sec, and a debate ensued which excited a considerable amount of interest, tho Opposition gently criticising , all the various deficiencies in the speech. Tho Address-in-Reply was then moved, and after discussion was carried. It was announced by the Opposition that it was not their intention to turn the Government out, bxit to allow their proposals to be fairly and fully debated, if possible, one by one, .so that the objects of the club miyht not be lost sight of. There is no doubt that much good may result from the formation of this club, as the parliamentary rules and procedure tend greatly to enliven the otherwise rather tedious debates which used to be held under its auspices.

A new Agricultural and Pastoral Association has been formed in Palincrston North, and .several of the Woodvillo settlers are likely to support it. Its objects arc good, and, in consequence of Paliuerstou being so much nearer to us than Hastings, I think it is likely that a great many people from tho Bush settlements will become members sooner or later. If so, their addition to the society's list will be of no mean importance, for such a class of men as small but fairly well-to-do settlers are the most practical sort that can be got. They will not only become members, aud thus give monetary support, but they will breed stock and bring exhibits to the society's yards. The sports committee held their annual mooting- a few duy.s ago, when it was decided "that it is desirable to hold sports on .Boxing Day tin's year." What with this and the commencement of the Jockey Club's arrangements, it seems as if Christmas were coming round again. The times are certainly commencing to bo festive however, for we hear of nothing but concerts and other fun on all sides.

Land has been changing hands considerably during- the past month. One piece of suburban land has fetched £00 per acre, I believe quite recently, and it is considered a very cheap lot indeed. Rural land fetched good prices too, but the quality must be good to command it.

Our request that a quarter-acre site should be gazetted a reserve for a Mechanic's Institute and Public Library has been granted, and it is, I believe, the intention of the Public Hall Company to procure the permission of all its .shareholders to devote the money which was collected for the purpose of building a hall to erecting a firstclass public library as soon as possible. This is a most deserving work, and I am confident that tho proposals ivill "bo unanimously agreed to, as a very fair hall has already been put up by private enterprise, and the funds of the company, though sufficient for a library, are not large enough for building a hall.