THE WAIKAIA BUSH ROAD.

Dunstan Times, Issue 670, 19 February 1875, Page 3

THE WAIKAIA BUSH ROAD.

(Cromwell Argus.) Last Friday, Mr James Samson, the Mayor of Alexandra, and Mr James Hazlott, M.P.C. for Dunstan, waited upon Mr D. MacEellar, Goldfields Secretary, to bring under his notice the necessity of a road from Waikaia Bush to Alexandra. The deputation detailed at some length the advantages to bo gained by the opening up of a timber supply at so short a distance from Alexandra, which at present has to depend on Tapanui or Dunedin. Cartage from either place is a very heavy expense, ’lapanui being seventy miles distant, over what is anything but a decent road. The distance to Waikaia is only twenty-seven miles, and a very good road could be constructed over one of the loading spurs of the Old Man range. It was also brought under Mr MacKellar’s notice that very great benefit would be conferred on many of the gold-mining localities beyond Alexandra and towards Naseby, —Black’s, St Bathan’s, German Hill, and even Naseby itself. No bush exists in any of those neighborhoods, and mining timber is ren•cost of carriage. Mr M'Kellar said that it the information gathered by tho Alexandra Town Council were correct, there could be uo doubt of the advantages of having a road to the bush in question, but iu matters of this kind the Government were in the habit of relying upon The reports of their own officers. In deference to the opinion, however of the Alexandra people, he, (Mr M'Kellar) would promise that the Engineer would make a flying survey of the proposed road, and report upon it. He would also be asked to report upon the extent and quality of tho bush which was sought to be opened up. It might possibly be that the extent and qualitv of the bush would not be worth the expense of a road. Mr M ‘Kel lar then said that in the event of the Engineer’s report being favourable, the Government would not undertake the work till it had been sanctioned by the Provincial 'Council. It was understood that the survey spoken of would be made before the next meeting of the Council. The deputation thanked Mr MacKellar and announced their satisfaction at receiving his promise in regard to a surveyor being sent to report upon the matter. •CORPORATION OF ALEXANDRA. — o— The usual meeting of the Council was hold on Wednesday last. Present, —James Samson, Esq., Mayor, and Councillors Finlay, Theyers, Rivers, and Beresford. The minutes of the last meeting were' read and tonfirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved. The inward was read and received, cons’sting of of letters from Cromwell, Clyde, Naseby, an 1 Teviot, in reply to one from this Council, asking their support iu petitioning the Government to make a road to the Waikai bush. The replies were in favor of the project. The Mayor said that he went to Cromwell on Friday last to see Mr M'Kellar, the Gold-fields’ Secretary, as requested by the Council at their last meeting, with respect to the above road, Mr James Hazlett, Esq , tho Member for the District accompanic 1 him on the occasion. (See Report in another column.) A letter was read from Mr Vause, Postmaster, stating that Messrs Cobb and Co. wished to discontinue the Mails here, by the way of Naseby. Resolve I, —That the Town Clerk write to the Chief Postmaster, Dunedin, stating that a letter has come before the Council, informing them that Messrs Cobb and Co., the Mail Contractors, intend a contemplated change by discontinuing the mails, by the way of Naseby, that we respectfully submit that the contract be adhered to. Mr J. Jones’ tender for keeping the streets clean at 12/. per annum was ao- / ceptod. Accounts to tho amount of 81. 12s fid were passed for payment. The usual vote of thanks to the Chair concluded the meeting.

ALEXANDRA SCHOOL, o A special meeting of the Committee was held on the 16th instant. Present, James Samson, Esq., Chairman and Messrs Terry, Watson, Fraser, Finlay, and Rivers. A letter from the mistress, Miss Brnnton, tendering her resignation having been read it was decided that it be accepted—the usual three months’ notice to be given, the Commitee dispensing with her services at an earlier date, if possible. Mr G. Reid, the Master, met the Committee by appointment, and stated that before deciding on accepting his appointment to the Foi bury School, he wished to suggest certain alterations in regard to the salary, &0., which, if agree I to, he would decide on not accepting the appointment to the Forbury School. The alterations proposed were that, Mr Reid should have the collecting of the School Fees, without furnishing the Committee with a detailed quaiterly account as at present, and that he would pay from the fees the salary of the Mistress, 25/. per annum ; 20/. for fuel, lights, cleaning, and 5/. for School prizes 5 the balance of the fees to he his own. After discussion, the Committee decided that the proposed alteration coming from Mr Reid immediately after his appointment to the Forhury School, they were not prepared at the present moment to alter existing arrangements ; also, that if carried out, it would l>e unfair to the Schoolmistress, as it would give Mr Reid 50/. ad■di ional salary, and leave no fund for increasing the salary of the Mistress, nr for alterations and additions to the School property, besides, aim ost doing away with the necessity for a Committee.

Resolved,—That this Committee cannot entertain the suggestions proposed by Mr Reid. Tho Secretary was then requested to wait on Mr Reid, and inform him of the decision of tho Committee, when Mr Reid again mot tho Committee, and said that the suggestions might be slightly modified, hut he considered that, as tho holder of a first class certificate, he was entitled to all he asked for. The Committee then adjourned to the 17th instant, to have a full Committee present before dealing further with the matter. An adjourned meeting was held on the 17 th instant. Present, —James Samson, Esq., Chairman, and full meeting of the Committee. Resolved, — That the Master's ralary remain as at present. , Mr Reid upon being apprised of the decision of the Committee sent in his resignation. The Secretary was then instructed to advertise in the Gazette and Daily Times for a Master and Mistress, (married couple pre ferred), at a Salary of 2001. for Master, and 100/., for Mistress, with free residences, and to also write to Mr Hislop, asking his assistance to get the vacancies filled up. Tenders to close on the 26th March, A vote of thanks to the Chair concluded the meeting.