TAPANUI.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 1, 31 March 1893, Page 11

TAPANUI.

Municipal affairs arc all confusion. The mayor is boss of the situation, and being of the legal profession is able to frighten the less-informed members of the council with technicalities. At last meeting a notice of motion to the effect that the mayor had lost the confidence of the ratepayers fizzled out, bye-laws not being complied with. One councillor’s resignation was accepted, another handed in his resignation, while a third resigned off the works committee, and the mayor is bringing down the overdraft by doing no public works. If this continues the mayor and town clerk will be left in possession of the whole thing, much to their delight no doubt. Harvest is in full swing. A groat deal has been gathered in, but some is not yet cut ; on the whole the yield is said to bo light. Colonial sympathy has resulted in this district contributing to the Queensland relief fund as follows ; —Tapauui, £l7 ; Crookston, £7 13s ; Dunrobin, £3 17s ; Glcnkenieh, £4 17s ; Kelso, £2 ; Conical Hills, £6 ; total, £4l 7s ; also about 30 bags of flour, clothing, boots, photo press, and letter press book. Of course the cash is needed, the flour good, clothing and boots useful, but what destitute people want with photo press and letter press books is msre than I can imagine. Probably the donors think they were photographed when destitute of home and clothing, and wish to frame the pictures as a memento, or that the language of some during the trouble is worth recording, and ought to be copied. Trade is dull ; agents and hawkers are flooding the district. If this continues, the local storekeepers may soon close, as they cannot possibly live. Mr Thomas M. Haining of Kelso, who not long ago broke his arm, has now fractured his leg very badly. The temperance party, headed by Dr de Latour, is struggling hard against public opinion. They started a free reading room, which is not getting the patronage one could wish. They make their meetings very interesting, and a good time is expected this winter. No doubt the cause of temperance is a winning one, and any one not wanting to be on the losing side should join their ranks at once. The Presbyterian and Church of England churches are now clear of debt. The Presbyterians are favoured with a very highly gifted and studious minister, in the person of the Eev. William Scorgic. The Methodists have lately been visited by some of the bigger guns, and at present the Rev. W. C. Oliver of Dunedin is staying here for a few days. On Sunday last ho preached two eloquent sermons. Mr Lochorc, the Methodist missionary, is leaving for his college training ; every one wishes him success. Mr Peatherstonc, lately from England, has been appointed his successor.