KAKARAMEA.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 285, 9 January 1878, Page 2

KAKARAMEA.

(from a correspondent.) On tile 28th December the children attending the Kakaramea school met for the purpose of celebrating their Christmas festival. At throe o’clock they entered the school playground, and were soon engaged in various amusements. H.Williamson, Esq,and several ladies and gentlemen who were present were indeed children among children, and greatly contributed to tire happiness of the little ones. Races of various kinds—.jumping, quoits, and other games, for excelling in which the competitors were rewarded with small sums of money—passed the time until 6 o’clock, when the children entered the school-room and sat down to n most excellent ton, which Mr li. T. 15rown (the teacher), assisted by the ladies of the district, had succeeded in getting up. After the little ones had done full justice to the good things provided, the adults followed their example. The tables being cleared, a Spelling Bee was held. The two successful candidates for orthographic honors were Alexander and Marjory Williamson. A few appropriate remarks fir the children by Messrs Williamson and Ilawken followed, and then three' cheers having boon called for the teacher (Mr Brown), ami heartily responded to, the proceedings which had been of a most joyous character,- were brought to a close. [The above should have appeared in last issue, hut through some error was not delivered until too late.]

NORM AN BY SETTLERS AND' THE MOUNTAIN ROAD. A runLic meeting’ was held at Normanby on the 15th December, about the Mountain Road, Mr C. E. Gibson in the chair, when it was decided to telegraph to G. F. Sherwood, Escp, wiio was then in Wellington, to represent to Government the urgency of proceeding - with the work. The following correspondence speaks for itself j—■ Government Buildings, Wellington, 20th December, 1877. Sir, — 1 have been requested by the chairman of a public meeting, hold at Normanby,- Patea, on Saturday last, to urge upon you the great necessity that exists for pushing on the formation of that portion of the Mountain Road which passes through that Township, before the winter sots in. I have also boon requested to inform you that there is an impression that it is the intention of the Government to abandon the deviation of the Mountain Road, made about two years ago, and to revert to the original route/ I beg to state that if that course is adopted, it will cause a very considerable amount of loss and inconvenience to a large number of settlers. It was understood when the alteration was made iu the road, that there would be no further change, and, acting upon that understanding, the settlors have erected many substantial buildings upon both sides of the road and railway line.- The settlors have petitioned the Patea County Council upon this matter, but as that body had not taken the road over, and having no funds wherewith to perform the work required, wore unable to accede to the prayer of the petitioners. I now understand that a sum of money has been voted this session for the purpose of continuing the formation of the Mountain Road. If this money is paid over to the County it will probably proclaim the road a County road, and execute the works in cpiestion. In the meantime, I beg to respectfully suggest, that in justice to the settlers, the question of the deviation should be definitely settled. Trusting that you will be good enough to take this matter into your early and favourable consideration, and inform me of the result.—l have, &c., G, F. Sherwood. The Honorable, the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. \ Public Works Office,

Wellington, 21st December, 1877. Sir,_l am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, relative to the Mountain Road, and in reply, to inform you that it will bo

considered upon the return of the Assist-' ant Eagineer-in-Chief, from the North; I have, &c., J. Kxoavlesj Under-Secretary for Public Works. G. F. Shenvood, Esq., Wellington.