WAITAHA NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1919, Page 1

WAITAHA NOTES

(From a Correspondent). On the 16th., the combined Waitaha and Duffer’s Creek schools held a picnic at the Waitaha bridge, and, the day being delightfully fine, tlie children spent an enjoyable day. At a meeting of residents, a few days ago, it was decided to bold the annual settlers’ picnic and sports on 29th inst. Strong committees were set up to undertake the various duties, and, given a fine day, visitors and residents, young and old, can rely upon a. good day’s amusement. There’ will also be a dance in the evening: Til© official responsible fdr the' appointment of returning officers evidently has a poor opinion- of the abilities of

local residents, otherwise he would have scarcely considered it necessary to ‘ send a man 17 miles/ to take charge of the local polling booth. Apart from the slight,- it appears to me to be a wanton waste of public money, for, in addition to his fee, the man sent here would have his travelling expenses, etc., paid. If this kind of thing) occurred at every polling booth in the Dominion, it would mean the unnecessary expenditure of a a largo sum. > [On enquiry, wo learn that the resident who previously acted as returning officer is not now a resident of the district, and deeming it advisable to have an experienced officer in charge, one was sent there.]