LITTLE GREY DISTRICT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 November 1901, Page 4

LITTLE GREY DISTRICT.

(OCR OWN C )RRE3PONDENT )

Since the Public Works Estimates were published we have been expecting, each night, to see in the Star a correction, which, however, has not yet appeared. The allocations of £2lO for repairs to the Big Grey Bridge and £1,850 for bridging the Waipuna Creek, strikes us as altogether absurd. The impression here is that the amounts have changed places, that the larger amount is intended for the Big Grey and the smaller for Waipuna. As it is intended to put only a foot bridge over the latter water course the amount of £2lO is ample. The vote for the Big Grey Bridge should, however, have been nearer £3,000. The bridge is in a most dangerous state. The lightest vehicle crossing it makes it sway in a manner really terrifying.

The coming fruit season promises to be the best for many years. The apple trees in this district are crowded with blossom and the only thing to fear now is an excessive amount of wet, which would prevent the fruit from forming.

The Little Grey School has just passed a very successful examination under Inspector Harkness, who reports :—" The spelling of Standard 3, and the arithmetic of Standard 2, were marked weaknesses, but the general pass work of Standard 4 was decidedly gooc 1 . The spelling, writing and composition of Standard 5, and the arithm'tic of Standard 3 also deserve praise, while the spelling of Standard 6, and the pass work of the Standard 7 pupils was excellent. There are 51 on the roll, of whom 48 were present at examination. The acephalous local School Committee has made no attempt to fill the place of Chairman rendered vacant by the decease bf Mr M'Neill. The Nelson Education Board does not adopt the method of paying accounts direct, consequently the teachers and others in this school district to whom money is owing by the Committee, are not receiving what is due to them.

Most of tke land-owners in this locality have forwarded to Government their claims for compensation in the event of the Grey Eiver being proclaimed a sludge channel. The majority of them have contented themselves with claiming what they had already agreed to accept when the proclamation was previously suggested. All claims must reach Wellington before the sth of December.

The unfortunate man Charles Keado who had his leg broken at Mr Mera's farm, a few days ago, has had more than his share of bid luck in the way of fractured bones. Five or six years ago Eead e was in the Grey Eiver Hospital for two years through an almost similar misfortune, and his leg has been weak ever since. It is to be hoped that the bone will knit more expeditiously and thoroughly this time. I understand that Mr Mera is one of those who are wise enough to insure their servants against accident. The Workman's Compensation Act will therefore not trouble him in this case, while it will certainly prove a blessing to the injured man.

The Nelson. Education Board has referred the question of establishing a sshool at Blackwater to the Little Grey School Committee for its report. Those persons asking for the School, claim that twelve scholars are ready to attend the school if established.