Pio Pio.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 333, 1 February 1911, Page 2

Pio Pio.

Great interest was centred in the election of seven members to act as the first committee for the newlycreated Pio Pio school district, which took place in the Miroahuiao Hall on Monday evening last. lor two years past the school has been carried on in the local hail under the direction of a comniisgioner and in charge of a probationer. Owing to the rapid development of the district the Auckalnd Education Board has decided to erect a new school to accommodate sixty children, and appoint a teacher with a higher certificate. On Monday evening the Board called on the householders to elect a committee of seven to take over the reins of government from the late Commissioner. Some two years ago the natives of the district very generously donated three acres of land as a central school site at the junction, but for some strangereason the Board of Education has refused to build thereon, and its secretary and district inspcetor have been negotiating for a site, from a private person away from the proper centre, notwithstanding that Inspector Burnside had previously visited the site donated by the natives, in company with a local committee appointed by the householders for the purpose, and reported in its favour. This action of the Board incited the householders to extraordidnary enthusiasm in the election on Monday last. Some time before the hours appointed vehicles were arriving with ladies, one of which had four on board, reminding one more of a parliamentary than a school election. The candidates who had "nailed their colours to the mast" on the native site at the junction were found at the top of the poll when the result was declared as follows: W. D. Hattaway, G. Elliott, J. Vickery, 11. Andrews, G. Bevege, W. Johnston and Iluia Tawake.

At a meeting of the new committee, held the same evening, Mr G. Elliott was elected chairman, and W. Johnston secretary and treasurer. Your correspondent, with many others, awaits future developments in school matters with n„ small degree of interest. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Bevege, late commissioner, for the way in which he had carried out his duties in bringing school matters to their present position. Bush fires are the order of the day ; and I hear that there are some good burns. ; Our post office is just about comi pletcd, and I know that the post mis--1 tresg will not be sorry when she is in : it. Mr Mclndoe has Mr Eriekson's new shop just about completed. We are having a good spell of dry weather, and the grass is feeling the effects of it, but the metal is not making any way. I wonder whether the department is stuck for some one to take charge of the road. If so, I think I could fill the bill as I do not go in for contracting, and could give all my time to the roads.