DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2179, 2 May 1870, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

On Saturday morning, Slat ult,, a deputation from Blueskin, cousistingof Mr Aitken and another gentleman waited upon the Secretary for Land and Works to represent the inadequacy of the school accommodation. They were introduced by Mr Green, M.P.C.. and represented that the school-room, which is only 24ft by 16ft was altogether inadequate to the requirements of the district. It was only calculated for about 35 children, whereas 60 were in attendance. The consequence was that it was not only injurious to the health of the children, but it was impossible to introduce those appliances which were requisite to efficient education. There were about 90 children in the district, but all were not of age to attend school. The Secretary for Land and Works said he would enquire if provision had been made for enlarging the school in the Secretary s .estimates, and if not he did not see any reason why a sum should not be placed on the estimates for the purpose. HA was afraid it could not be proceeded witn until spring. He would inquire into the case and if necessary, proper provision should be made. . The deputation them pointed out the necessity for a footbridge over a tributary of the Waitati; application had been made on a previous occasion, and it was proposed to put a plank across, this they considered unsafe for children, but if L2O was granted Mr Aitken would undertake to put a suitable bridge across. The Secretary for Land and Works suggested that it was very little use to put a bridge across the stream unless the approaches were secured, for otherwise it would be washed by floods. If that were done in the situation pointed out the cost would be more than that of the bridge. Mr Green staxed that the general feeling of the inhabitants of the district was that they had not been fairly treated by the Government. There was a vast quantity of unaurveyed land, which was absolutely unsaleable unless access was made to it by a road. Land that otherwise would not have been worth 10s an acre, in the village had been sold at L7O per acre, and there was land still unsurveyed that would realise as much. But if there was no road nobody would buy it. The deputation explained on the mqp the direction the road ought to take. Referring to the construction of the bridge, the Secretary for Land and Works said he believed that the District Koad Board had a sum of Ll6 in hand, and he thought it possible to place a sum at the disposal of the Board for the construction of the bridge. A conversation then took place fts to the formation of the road which it was represented would cost about LSO. The Secretary for Land and Works said in all probability the Government would be able to meet the views of the district. He had had a report on the matter some time ago, and it was a larger work than could be undertaken at the time. As Mr Anderson had agreed to the deviation for people who had purchased land ho had no doubt the road pointed out would be better for all parties. He would acquaidt them with the decision of the Government. The deputation thanked the Sectary, aad withdrew.

THE VOLUNTEERS. PflEamfTATioiT op Prizes. The prizes won at the contest just ended, were presented on Saturday afternoon by Liout. -Col. Harington to the winners. At a little before four, Colonel Harington rode on the ground, attended by Mr Cooper, under Secretary for Defence, and was received with presented arms. The presentation took place at once. On Lieut. Goldie being called forward, Colonel Harington addressed him to the following effect:—He had very great pleasure in presenting the belt to him, but he would have been greater pleased had it been won by a Northern man. At the same time it had been fairly won, and he hoped the volunteers of Otago would agree with him, that none in Otago more deserved to win it than Lieut. Goldies He had always taken an active part in volunteering, was a really good shot, and he had won the belt by sheer hard work. Placing the belt on his shoulder, the Colonel said he hoped he would again get it, although ho had hopes of it going up North next year ; and at the same time pinned on Lieut. Goldie’s breast the gold medal. At the Colonel’s Bequest, three ringing chenrs were given for the champion. We do not know if the report is correct, but it is stated the offer to present the prizes went begging. It is a pity that in a populated city, the fact of there being a Mayor should be lost sight of. The Supper given by the Volunteers to tho representatives took place at Mr Murray’s new rooms, Rattray street, on Saturday evening, and was a most successful affair. Lieut; -Colonel Harington occupied the chair, and Major Bathgate and Captain Atkinson acted as croupiers. We regret that we are compelled to hold over our report until tomorrow. To-day’s Match, between tbe ten highest North Island and the ten highest South Island men in the late General Government firing, took place at the range, North-east Valley, to-day, in the presence of Lieut.-Colonel Harington and the Under-Secretary for Defenoe. The ranges were 300, 400, and 500 yards; five shots at each range. That it wohld be a victory for the South, it was never doubted for one moment, and so the result has proved. For the watch there was a game contest between Grant and Paton, but the latter obtained it by heading his opponent at the 500 jfcrds range, where he scored five bull’s eyes—splendid shooting indeed. Small being the highest scorer among the Northern men. gets the pencil-case. The scores are ta follow! —

Small * Hazard • M ‘KenzieHalse Boardraau Batham • Rcnouf - Dick MaddisonKirby

Paton Grant Goldie Wilson - TressederSmith Wearing - Buchanan Henderson Gully

Nort/i Island. 300 400 500 3 yds. yds. yds. o H • 34343 32332 34430 44 • 23333 43343 33033 43 - 33433 32223 33332 42 - 43344 43423 20033 42 - 22334 34322 34302 40 - 34244 03443 20302 38 - 43343 24442 20030 38 . 32444 30234 3k004 SB - 34343 3402k 03420 35 - 24334 24332 02002 34

Total • 398 South Island. 300 400 500 +3 yds. yds. yds. O H - 23343 32444 iiiii 53 - 34444 33344 32420 47 - 42334 34233 03334 44 - 33443 44323 33302 44 - 34434 444^4 00240 • 33424 23432 33320 42 - 42334 33442 20403 46 - 2442r 42330 44302 37 • 42344 00334 03222 36 • 33224 03330 02202 29 Total . 414