OUR KOKIRI LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 April 1901, Page 4

OUR KOKIRI LETTER.

(OCK OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Quito a variety of weather has prevailed of late, but the predominating featuro of the last couple of weeks has been the heavy rains which have takon place so frequently as to rendor bush work almost impossible. The local sawmills <are doing their best to fulfill their orders, and los3 no opportanity of working when the weather permits.

Messrs Stratford, Blair and Co., who a short time since commenced clearing a site for a new mill near Kokiri, have now abandoned their intention, at least for the present, for the reason that another firm have secured the timber area. As the company have purchased several freehold sections, and wont to considerable expense to clear the site, unless some reasonable terms can be arrived at ihey will be heavy losers. Considerable interest has lately been taken in school matters here so that it was not surprising to find a largo number of householders present an the annual meeting on Monday evening last. Afcer the miautos of tho previous meeting had been read and confirmed, and the halance sheet adopted. A hearty vote of thanks was tendered to the outgoing committee for their services during the past year. Mr. F. Myers was unanimously voted to ihe chair, and briefly outlined the object of the meeting, hoping that those mo-»t capable to act would be elected. The rules and regulations were then read by the chairman and nominations cnlied for, About fourteen were received, when the Chairman's attention was drawn to tha fact that a great many of those present were unqualified to vote, having only been a few weeks in the district and not being heusf holders, they were requested to leave the room, but as they did not do so seven of the candidates withdrew their nominations. The chairman then declared the following seven geatlemen elected :—Messrs J. Baxter, W. Baxter, T. Baxter, G. Belami, R. Fane, B. Latta and T. Smilhers. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting. The subscribers to the local papcis have lately had just cause for complaint, owing to not receiving their papers. Now I think the people in this out of the way place should receive a little more consideration and less disappointment. A little investigation has disclosed the fact that this state of affairs is answerable only by the Bailway Department. It appears that some small boys are employed who post Kokiri papers on the Hokitika train, and of course it takes a week or two longer to reach hero than if posted on the Utira train. Then again somebody leaves them in the luggage room and some one else discovers them a week or two later when thcyv are forwarded. This cannot continue much longer as the intelligent portion of this community are arranging to have the matter investigated. The young folks of this district are being afforded an excellent opportunity of acquiring the art of that most popular form of indoor amusement, dancing. Several young persons have lately started a class and lessons are given every Saturday evening from eight to ten o'clock. Those who are already initiated into the mysteries of the light fantastic are also welcomed and an enjoyable time is spent. A meeting of the "Billy and Fryingpan Society" took place in Kennedy's Hotel on Wednesday evening last and was fairly well attended. Mr P. Megers was voted to the chair and Mr K. Kozzai the vice-chair. The Chairman explained that the object was to appoint a committee and arrange to bold a Bachelor's Ball. A strong committee was then formed and the date of the ball 'fixed for Friday, May 21th. We shall be pleased to have a large attendance of visitors and particularly of the fairer sex who always command a place in the hearts of the Kokiri bachelors.