WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 507, 10 April 1880, Page 2

WAVERLEY.

T.OST- — Mr Rohorfc Johnson. aii nlrl man

xjUJ>i.—uir rvODort ooanson, uii oiQ man residing on the Cemetery road, met with a very awkward mishap on Wednesday evening. He was returning from the township towards dusk, and his eyesight being impaired, ho missed his way aud got on to the sandhills. Qis friends becoming alarmed at his absence instituted a search, and learned that he had been last seen leaving the township on his way home. The search was continued during the" night, with little hope of finding him alive. Early next morning Mr McDonald found him asleep in a clump of fern near the Wairoa stream. It seems the old man bad walked about till quite exhausted, and then lay down. He was conveyed home in a cart, and although worn out, he will be able to be about again in a few days.

Town Board Industry. —The members of the Town Board seem resolved to lose no time over their worlc. On Wednesday evening they were occupied till a late hour revising the Rate 8011, and are to have another meeting on Saturday, the 17th, to issue notice of objections to the present valuation where it seems unequal. Hard Times. —Effects of the present depression or stagnation are shown in different ways, but a new-comer toWaverley has hit upon a plan of reducing his exigences which, if not novel in itself, is seldom heard of in New Zealand. He has been unable to get regular employment for some months, and being encumbered with two boys, aged respectively ten and eight years, he has sold them to more fortunate or enterprising men. The elder went for 10s, while the younger, being a small boy at his age, was disposed of at ss. The purchaser of the elder boy was willing to have an agreement drawn out, shewing that the father had renounced all claim on the boy ; but no one seemed anxious to bo mixed up in the transaction. Judging from appearances the unfortunate children have made a beneficial change, as they are now likely to be cared for, and will in all probability be saved a compulsory residence in one of our charitable institutions.

Church of England.— Tenders have been called for the erection of a church here in connection with the Church of England. The plans and specifications show that it is intended to put up a neat and substantial structure, which from an architectural point of view will be a valuable addition to our public buildings. Rifle Match. —Our Waverley representatives at the rifie competition in Wanganui have certainly held their own, as Messrs Milne, Thurston, and Howie have carried off ten prizes. This speaks well for the efficiency of our local volunteers.

Wairoa Highway Board. —The monthly meeting of this Board was held on the 3rd instant. Present—Wardens Aiken, Johnston, McLean, lon, and Bridge, chairman. The treasurer balance was £72 2s Id.— Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr McLean, “ That leave bo granted for 12 months to A. Mi'ne to erect gate.” Carried.—Application from A. Aiken to grant extension of leave for gate to bo across road, was held over one month.— Proposed by Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr lon, “ That a drayman be put on the Bush-road to Duncan’s to level lumps and clear out stumps.” Carried.—Proposed by Chairman, seconded by Mr Johnston, “ That fresh tenders be invited for sidecutting south wide of Momahaki.” Carried.—Mr Saunders waited on the Board requesting that the sand-cutting at McDonald’s bo repaired, and the road to U. Johnston’s levelled.—Tenders previously advertised for were received as follow:—Fraser, £80; W. Harre, £80: J. Thurston, £7O ; M. Keating, £lO4 ; J. Bowie, £IOO ; J. Hughes, informal ; J. Helling, too late.—Proposed by Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr Aikin, “ That J. Thurston be appointed foreman of Works, his salary to be divided pro rata between general and deferred payment accounts.” Carried.—Proposed by Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr Aiken, “ That tenders be invited by next meeting for lowering, cutting, and widening embankment near McDonald’s.” Carried.—Proposed by Mr McLean, seconded by Mr Aiken, “That day labor be employed on road to H. Johnston’s. Carried.—Proposed by Mr Me Lean, seconded by the Chairman pro forma, “ That a bridle track be made to Harris’s, on the east side of the creek.” Lost.— Proposed by Mr lon, seconded by Mr Johnston, “ That the rate book be made up for the period from May Ist, 1880, to March 31st, 1881 ; the rate of 6d in the pound to be payable on May 3rd, 1880.” Carried.— Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr lon, “ That a special meeting of the Board be held on 17th instant, at 7.30 p.m. Carried.—Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr McLean, “That tenders be invited by the 16th instant, for the office of collector.” Carried,—Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Aiken, “ That office hours be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m,” Carried.— A. Aiken reported as follows upon the manner in which the railway will affect grade of roads in No. 1 Ward :—Brewer’s-road, 1 foot 9 inches below present level ; Peat’s, 2 feet 9 inches below : Aiken’s, 1 foot below ; Tend’s, level ; Cemetcrj 7 , 2 feet 9 inches above present level.—Proposed by Mr Aiken, seconded by Mr Johnston, “That the following accounts be passed for payment:— Flannaryßros.,£l967s; Milne, £2O 19s 6d; Jeffcott & Co., £ls ; Fraser, £35 18s ; Ballam, £7 ssj4d and Fitzherbart, £1 Is.” —Carried.