PIOPIO.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 204, 1 November 1909, Page 5

PIOPIO.

j Own Correspondent. J The controversy with regard to the I school site promises to be brought to a conclusion before very long. On Wednesday last Inspector Burnside of the Education Department visited Piopio and inspected the rival sites. Mr Bevege, Commia doner for Piopio school, and chief advocate of the present site, and Mr Savill, a staunch supporter of the 13 mile site met the Inspector,and a somewhat lengthy conference ensued. The Inspector must have had a trying time but he succeeded in conveying the impression to each i party that the cause wai won, and each i advocate appears satisfied. The district in general is not so much conj corned with the efforts of partisans as ! with tbe establishment of a permanent school en a site which will be avcragcly suitable. As matters stand I believe there is a danger of the controversy becoming personal, therefore it is to be hoped the Inspector's report will come along quickly and settle the matter once and for all. That the school is necessary is shown by the experience of the past week. Owing to the projected tangi resultant j upon the death of the late Mrs Rewatu the school children were turned out of the Hall and had to assemble under a tree. Needless to nay happenings of this kind are not calculated to benefit the cause of education, and for the sake of all concerned it is to be hoped a permanent building will be established. Regarding the discipline and j conduct of t»!« rchool I understand the j Inspector's re { i-jrt is excellent. j

The same reason which drove the school out of doors ccmpelle I the Bachelors to hold their Ball at Paemako. Everything had been prepared for the Miroahuiao Hall, but the tangi had to be held despite circumstances of any description. It was the irony of fate that after all the the tangi did not eventuate,and it was a very indignant band of Maoris that received a telegram here on Wednesday stating that the body had been interred at Te Kuiti. There were about 200 Natives assembled and the disappointment was all the more keen because of the fact that "Kai" in unlimited quantities including all the native dainties had been prepared, and a gargantuan feed was promised. Possibly some of our native friends are spared an attack of indigestion though it is to be doubted if they are troubled with stomachic ills.

The roads arc drying up well. Riding from Te Kuiti the other day I could make very good time. If the road between the 7 and 9 mile pegs was metalled wheel traffic need not be stopped in winter. Great credit is due to Coachdriver Lewis who negotiates the road every day. How he has managed to run through the winter is a puzzle to everyone and it shows what patience and grit can do behind good horses. The settlers throtighly appreciate the trying time .Mr Lewis must have come through and judging from the support promise) him in winter Mr Lewis will require to place another coach on the road during summer.