TANGITU.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 475, 19 June 1912, Page 6

TANGITU.

Own Correspondent,

In striking contrast with tlie bleak and stormy aspect of the Mangaici Valley on the evening of Juna Ist as the festive scene presented by the interior of Mr Gillespie's house where about forty guests were assembled at a social evening and dance, held in view of the approaching departure of the popular schoolmaster, lur Alex. Thomson. The deluge which had for some day's been making' of the neighbourhood a passable (or rather impassable) cold lake region made enforced •absentees of many intending visitors but was powerless to damp the spirits of those present. Owing to two of the expected musicians having been unable to negotiate the morass, the task of providing the harmony for the dances devolved entirely on Messrs Gormez and Warner, who fulfilled it admirably. During the evening Mr Thomson was the recipient of a case of pipes presented by tha settlers of Mangaiti, and in makirg the presentation Mr S. Warren spoke in feeling terms of the high esteem in which Mr Thomson was held, and of the general regret at his departure. Messrs Millar and 0. Gillespie also testified to the good feeling that had always existed between Mr Thomson and parents and children ailke. On behalf of the ladies of the .valley Mr 3 Orr made the presentation of a silver cigarette case, and expressed keen satisfaction with the way in which the work of the school had b<=en carried out. and regret that Mr Thomson should so soon be leaving. From the children also came the present uf cigarette holder and silver case. In thanking the donor 3 Mr Thomson in a few well chosen words referred to the happy times he had spent as one of the "backhiockers" during which he had invariably met with friendliness and hearty co-operative from all. /Songs by Messrs Hogg, Millar, Higgins and Bchrne; recitations by Mr Will Gillespie, and a ssvord dance by Mr Small winged the hours of night, and only with the dawn of clav came the dispersal of a moat delightful party. The thanks of all are due to Mr Gillespie and family for the use of their house, and the many kindnesses shown to the ladies who had trudged through the mud to be present. Now before I leave this subject of schools it might be as well to draw the notice of the public to the condition under which our children are receiving their education. In nearly every paper one picks up one hears of new public buildings going up but never a word about the poor unfortunate children in the backblocks, who a r e tru'ging through the 1 mud daily only to sit in a tent without even a fire or a floor. * I consider this a disgraceful state of affairs to be existing in such a democratic country as ours. It is now the second winter that children have had to put up with this, and it h nigh time that some definite action was taken by those responsible to have school* erected. I would very much like to see our Education Board having to sit for one winter's day with a wet floor under foot and no fire 3 and I guarantee we would soon have schools. We have three of the sort of schools I am writing about in the setlement. It raminda-me of a remark I heard made by our present rrember when he was addressing the elections in one of our "dchools." He said "it" was a disgrace and he woulu not allow one of his children to sit in such a place. I would also like to remind him that he has been M.P. for some considerable time now and we' still have the same old "show."

A meeting of the committee of the Settlers' Association was held at Tangitu on June 9th and the manner in which road works are being carried now as discussed at some length. The secretary was instructed to bring same before the notice of the Minister of Public Works. It is now over a month since word was received that work was to be recommenced, but so far very little has been done. It is nearly time the department glaced some one in charge in this settlement. All we see of any of our Public Works officers is when an overseer comes in with the pay one day and goes, out the next. There are plenty of unformed roads here yet that require immediite attention to enable settlers to get their cream out this coming spring. I am pleased to be able to "stat* he long-looked-for telephone connection between Tangitu and the outside world is just about completed and will be a great boon to the settler. Miss K. McManus, of Mangaiti, has just returned from a short stay with friends in Petone.