NGAPARA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1168, 14 January 1880, Page 2

NGAPARA.

(V.UOM A COIUIESI'ONIVENT.) With your kind permission I wish to inform your readers, many of whom arc probably not aware of the fact, that a labor exehango was recently established horo by Mr. D. Barry, who has started it in conjunction with his other business, with a viow to moot the pressing demands for labor, daily increasing horo. Ho is indofatigablo in his exertions in this respect, and is continually at work impressing tho working men with a true knowledgo of their position and tho evils consequent on their refusing to work for smaller pay than lies boon hitherto given. Hia efforts have boon crowned with success so far, and some of our loading farmers are already exporiemuug tho benefit derived from hia exevtiona. Our publie baths, about which some correspondents wrote with so much enthusiasm, are, 'I am aorrv to say, a thing of tho past, No sooner had there boon a oonaidovablo amount of money and labor expended on them than, as ill-luck would havo it, there ettmo a heavy fall of vain, resulting in tho dus true (ion of tho bathf, together with tho fondly-ohomlunl hopes ontevtsilned in tho bvoaata of thoir pro*

moters of having their names recorded in the history of Ngapara. Some short time since we could boast of a brass band, but for want of zeal or some such thing amongst its promoters, it has since then collapsed. Many of our residents would hail witli joy its resuscitation, but when that happy event will arrive is at present problematical. A meeting of the residents of this town is to be held on,the 20th inst., at the Terminus Hotel, to consider what steps should be taken to have a Town Hall erected; Mr. J. Murdoch, our local architect, has intimated;'-his'willingness to superintend the work, and, should the proposal be adopted, I trust the residents will avail themselves of this generous offer, as, by so doing, they will engage the services of a man of no mean ability.

The crops in this district are looking remarkably well, and, should the weather continue favorable, harvesting will commence in a very short time. On matters agricultural I will say no more, as doubtless your " own " will give you all information respecting them in due time.