WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1581, 2 June 1874, Page 238

WAIROA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) 22nd May. The late Rains and Floods. There is an utter absence of news. The late heavy rains have given place to fine weather. The roads, are of course in a deplorable condition. I learn that the heavy floods have washed away several of the bridges on the road to Waikarimoana ; heavy slips also obstruct the road in that direction. The Telegraph. After a storm comes a calm, gays the adage. So with the recent telegraphic difficulty. Th'e spirit of opposition has entirely melted away, and an eager desire for the furtherence of the telegraph arisen in its place. The progress of the work, however, will be delayed through want of material and stress of weather. 27th May. Proposed Public Hall. Now that the long winter n'ghts have conie, people begin to feel the want of some amusement. Penny readings and amateur theatricals have been mooted, but the want of a suitable building presents a serious obstacle. The volunteers it is said, intend building a hall, and have even gone so far as to buy the shingles for it. This, if it smack not of placing the cart before the horse, is a commendable movement and worthy of all praise, The Mail Question. It is dreary to have to touch on the same topics time after time. The mail question crops up again this week in its usual unpleasant form, The mailman came in with the small portion of the mail, the bulk of it haying been placed on board the steamer—said steamer has not, and is not likely to arrive for some time.J The Punt. When are wo to have the- punt? Rumor said the steamer was to have brought it last trip, but it came not. You will doubtless ere this have heard of the fate of the Mohaka punt,- it was washed out to sea by the last floods, and grouud to powder on the beach,

WAIPUKURAU. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) , Mr Johnston and his Constituents.

In compliance with a requisition from his constituency Mr Sydney Johnston held a meeting with them in the school-house at Waipukurau on Tuesday, the 25th instant, at 2 p.m.

The Hon. 11. R. Russell was voted to the chair, and made a tew remarks on the constitutional practice of members.both of the General Assembly and Provincial Council meeting their constituents at some convenient time after the close of each session. for the purpose of giving an account of their stewardship, as well as of obtaining an expression of public opinion as to any projects or measures either contemplated or desirable. This time-honored practice, ho remarked, prevailed in almost every part of New Zealand except Hawke's Bay, where it seemed to lie systematically ignored. The result was, a very great and growing apathy on the part of the settlers with regard to those matters of political and administrative importance which So greatly affected their welfare and the healthy progress of the Province ; but he trusted that meetings like the present would lead to the different constitue'jees taking a more active and direct control in public affairs. Moreover, these meetings generally led to a good understanding between a member and his constituents ; and a member'shandsaregreatly strengthened when he can refer to an expression of opinion by the constituency in accordance with the views or policy which he may be advocating. The Chairman then briefly referred to the subjects which, as he understood from those gentlemen who had promoted the meeting, were considered of the greatest importance, viz.: — The construction of the road through the Waipukurau Gorge to Takapau, education, and the obtaining for the district a fair share of the distribution of the surplus revenue in the coming session.. Mr Johnston then addressed the meeting on all these subjects in a very clear and satisfactory manner.

After considerable discussion the following resolutions were put to the meeting and unanimously carried :

1. Moved by Mr Drawer, and seconded by.Mr Grant, —That, to enable the mail service to be efficiently and punctually performed, it is necessary to at once make the road over the hill leading to the Ruataniwha, thereby avoiding the river crossings, they being theonly obstacle throughout the journey ; and that lo carry out the above the Superintendent be requested to appropriate the money voted at the last session of the Council to that object. 2. Moved by Mr Levy, and seconded by Mr Palmer,—That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place the sum of £IOO on the estimates for. the purpose of extending the present school buildings at Waipukurau, with a view of providing a suitable residence for the schoolmaster and his family, with accommodation for a few second-class boarders, for which purpose the residents are prepared to subscribe at least £l5O.

3. Moved by Mr M'Knight, and seconded by Mr Levy,—That, in the opinion of this meeting, the Superintendent should be elected by the electors of the whole Province, instead of by the members of the Provincial Council.

4. Moved by Mr Palmer, and seconded by Mr Grant, —That the Chairman be requested to forward a copy of the above resolutions immediately to his Honor the gupoi-;««^r,/lo n ( • flint Tjet.itinnß to tlifi Superintendent and Provincial Council be prepared and sent round the district for signature, and that the same be presented by Mr Johnston, our member, on. the day of meeting of the Cuiuui!. Messrs Grant, Palmer, Friberg, and Levy to be a sub-committee to get signatures to the petitions.

5. Moved by Mr Palmer, and seconded by Mr M'Knight,—That this meeting has entire confidence in'Mr Johnston.

The meeting concluded, with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.