WAIROA NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 129, 11 June 1901, Page 4

WAIROA NOTES.

(TLMES CORRESPONDENT.)

I hear that there is a probability of losing the assistant master of the local district school owing to the falling off in the attendance of pupils. At present the attendance is only one below the number allowed, for the privilege of an assistant master. I think the parents are to blame for this irregularity, as very often children are to be seen playing about the streets when they would be better and more profitably employed attending school. It will be a loss to the district if Mr Caughley has to go. Besides being a good master, he is also a great enthusiast in all games and a prominent helper in entertainments, etc. I hope parents will see that their children do attend moro legularly, so as we will still bo able to retain our present assistant master. A very successful meeting of the local Baud of Hope was held on the evening of the 29th May, when a very pleasant evening was spent. Songs, readings and recitations were given by Mrs Catley, Misses Winter, Lambert, Atward, M. Flint, Messrs W. Logan, Lambert, Hawkins, Campbell, H. Brown, and addresses by Rev. Mr Raeburn and Mr Thos. Lambert. These gatherings are conducted fortnightly, and are a source of benefit and instruction to both old and young. I am sorry to relate the destruction by fire of the ltuakiherc Station homestead during the absence of the manager, Mr W. Ross. Nothing definite can bo gathered as to the origin of the fire, no ono being present at the time. The cook was the last to leave, and apparently everything was safe. Mr Ross is a very heavy loser. Besides losing everything in connection with the station, he has lost a valuable library, a very valuable microscope, and all his clothing and personal effects. By steamer, the local corps have at last received part of their accoutrements. Belts, pouches, water-bottles, slings, etc., have arrived, but, up to the present, the uniforms are missing. It will be a disappointment should the uniforms not arrive in time for the men to proceed to Wellington. Captain Milne Thomson has just informed me that the men are to proceed overland on Thursday, the 11th inst., and then to entrain from Napier the following Thursday morning. The men are still working hard to get as proficient as possible in their drill, and it is to be hoped that the uniforms will arrive in' time, or, otherwise, I am of opinion, the men will not care to go iu ordinary apparel. The Hospital Committee have at last secured a site for their new Hospital from Mr D. Black—four acres. I believe tho price is L4O per acre. This site is not the one chosen in tho first instance, belonging to tho same owner, “ who did not wish to sell the ono picked;” so Mr Black has arranged satisfactorily with the Committee to take this section instead. I don’t think it is so suitable as tho other, as tho Board will have to allow access to Mr Black to other portions of his property; so it really means that a private load will have to run through the hospital grounds, besides which, the Hospital authorities have to do all tho fencing.

Another want has at last been supplied by the Post Office authorities. Arcceiving letter-box has been placed under the verandah of Mr Timperley’s stationery depot. The West End population will find this a groat boon. The box will bo cleared twice daily until further notice. Mr John Mayo, saddler, of Wairoa, had stolen from his shop on Saturday evening, June Ist, £22 some odd shillings. Having occasion to leave the shop for a few minutes on business, he was robbed of a purse containing the above sum, which he had left on his desk. Information was given to the police, who arrested a halfcaste named Harry Noye (or Bobinson). The Wairoa School Committee held its usual monthly meeting on June 4tb, all the members being present. The minutes of last meeting wore read and confirmed. A discussion then took place re the Inspector’s report. The Committee having objected to the Education Board on several portions of the Inspector’s remarks being both unfair and unjust, and asking an explanation, the roply from Board was that thoy could not interfere. It was decided that the Eev. Mr Butterfield, Messrs Somerville and Perkins bo a committee to again look over the ' report, and point out all inconsistencies to the Education Board. Correspondence from Education Board, allowing the use of schoolrooms for evening classes for technical and manual education. It was decided tliat this school act in conjunction with other schools in the demonstration to be made to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall by the schools throughout the colony. The Duchess will telegraph to all schools immediately on their arrival, which will be a signal for hoisting of flags and other demonstrations.

The Schoolmaster’s application for gravel for use at his residence was referred to the Education Board. A circular was received stating that the holidays started on Juno 14thinst., and the pupil teachers’ examination on the 25th inst. ; an application to have the date of holidays altered was refused. It was proposed that the Education Board be written to stating that the Com-

mittee objects to be mulcted in costs on telegrams on Board’s business, the reason for doing so being that a collect wi-c was returned to the Chairman of the Committee.

The schoolmaster reported an increase in attendance, the attendance being 190, and an average of 15 over the allowance for a second master. A requisition for stationery, etc., was granted. The question of erecting sido fences in the school grounds was left to tho Visiting Committee to attend to.

The following accounts wore passed for payment: G. Mayo 15s, Curtis 10s, Gas Company 10s.

Messrs. W. Torr and J. Mayo were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. Our worthy and much-respected constable, Mr Kennedy, left here on the 4th inst. -to attend as one of the guard of honor to tho Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. Ho took with him the two prisoners who were committed yesterday to Napier gaol, and leaves for Auckland on tho 7th inst. Constable Bennett is left in charge during his absence. The efforts of the Harbor Board to' open a new channel to the entrance of the river proved a failure owing to the accumulation of shingle in tho inside of the river. The bar, which was blocked, was opened by a gang of men, who worked hard to make a good bar. However, their efforts proved fruitless. Unless we have a good fresh in the river, I am afraid it will be a long time before the steamer can get up to the wharf.

Captain Milne Thompson received a wire on the 4th inst., stating that the uniforms would not be ready to send' to Wairoa in time for the men to leave, "but ho would endeavor to have them ready by the time they reached Wellington. It is quite probable that a number of the men will not go. The Government were wired to asking whether they would entrain the Wairoa men in mufti, but up to the present have received no reply. Tho company meet for parade to-day at 2.00 pan. A wire received by Captain Thompson to-day states that the uniforms will be ready for the corps on arrival at Wellington. Forty men and officers proceed, overland on Tuesday morning en route to Wellington.