ARIA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 4, 16 November 1906, Page 3

ARIA.

o Aria township is now showing signs of progress and several new buildings have recently been completed. These should be augmented considerably during the summer months, at which time it will be possible to have timber brought to the ground. Mr T. Shields is just starting a blacksmith's business, and Mr Hegglin is opening a butchery on the township section. A crying need for the district is a public school, and it is to be hoped the Educational authorities will take immediate steps to supply this urgent want. There are already 27 children of school age in the district, and it is deplorable to think that such a number of rising New Zealanders, whose parents have braved the many hardships of pioneering—hardships absolutely unknown to townspeople and dwellers in more settled districts —are growing up without the benefits" of education, to put them on an equality with children in more favoured localities. Moreover, there are others continually coming linto the district, and very shortly the number will be considerably increased, by the arrival of new settlers. Aria is within the boundaries of the Taranaki Education district, and strong representations have already been made regarding the matter. Undoubtedly it is high time these representations met with full and adequate response. At present, children from Aria are being sent in to Te Kuiti, to live apart from their parents, at considerable expense, for the purpose of receiving school instruction. The district of Kaeaeae, about eight miles from Aria, is similarly situated with regard to a school. There are 23 children of school age in the locality, and its claims in the matter are hardly second to those of Aria. The wants of these districts in this respect, cannot be urged too strongly, and with the approach of summer and consequent good roads, the settlers are hoping for a visit from an Inspector, who will receive very convincing proof of the necessity for schools. The road between Aria and Matiere a distance of about 24 miles, is now nearly completed, about one aud ahalf miles of construction work having yet to be done, in order to form the connection. There is every prospfeet of the telephone service being extended to Aria shortly. A communication has been received from Mr Jennings, M.H.R., to the effect that the Minister is considering the matter, and a favourable reply is expected. The accomplishment of this work will prove a boon to the surrounding settlers, who are at present practically isolated in winter. Owing to a chain of unfortunate circumstances, the Aria district failed to secure proper representation on the Waitomo County Council, but it has been arranged by the Council to readjust the ridings at its December meeting. , , A meeting of the Ana branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation was Jxeld on November 10th, for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year. The President, Mr J. Smyth, occupied the chair, and the following officers t were elected President, Mr J. Smyth; Vice-Presi-dents, Messrs D. C. McDonald, G. F. Nelson, P. D. Smyth, E. Moore, J. O'Sullivan, F.H.Sims, A. Thomas, and O. T. Hickman; Committee, Messrs A. Morgan, G. Parks, W. Malone, J. McGready, D. Finnigan, G. Mellor, T. Shields, J, H. Keighley, J. McGrath, W. Bredenbeck. M. Pendergast, W. H. Keighley, andßatima; Secretary, J. Collins. The following committee was elected in connection with the Domain Board H-Messrs J. O'Sullivan, (Chairman), J. Collins (Secretary), J. Smyth, A. Morgan, D. C. McDonald, P. D. Smyth, G. Parks, E. Davis and A* Thomas.