HASTINGS.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2824, 4 March 1878, Page 3

HASTINGS.

(FEOII A COBBKSPONBENT.) March 2nd.

A meeting of tho householders of this district was held in the school last evening, and there was an unusually large attendance, about forty being present. Mr Macfarlano being voted to the chair, opened the meeting by calling on Mr Plummer, the chairman of tho School Committee, who, after a few remarks as to the progress of the children for the past year, read tho report. After hating read the report, he said :—lt will now be your duty to elect seven resident householders to serve as committee men for the next twelve months. _ The new committee will be seven instead of five, as heretofore. The qualification for election is defined to be a householder resident within the district. Every voter is entitled to seven votes, which may be given to one candidate or distributed among the candidates, as tho voter may think fit, and the election is to take place by ballot.^* Tue'Jiport was unanimously adopted, and the election of the new committee was then immediately started. Tho following householders were declared elected :--R. M. Hawkes, W. Newby, H. M. Jacobs, Robt. Johnson, Jno. Plummer, Jas. Bennett, and Jno t Bowel* ft. A question then arose as regards the legality of the election. Two gentlemen, not householders, claimed votes as having an interest in batteries, and claimed ?to have a vote accordingly. An objection was lodged in each instance with the chairman, who, after considerable discussion, decided to accept the votes subject ,to the decision of the Central Board of Education.

. The County Council are working wonders in every direction, and their indo fatigable chairman deserves the greatest credit for tho manner in which he is carrying out the public works, as suggested by Sir George Grey on his visit to tho Thames. Even here is felt the benefit of a County Council, as* ..within the last six months, the bridle track connecting this place with Grahsmstown, has been put in such repair that a man may now make, the journey with safety. A good road has also been made up the creek one mile, which has already proved a great benefit to the people working at Golden Point. Tenders have been called for to extend the track towards Mercury Bay, and this, when completed, will prove s great boon, as the gorge between Tapu and Mercury Bay, at the foot of the dividing range, ia the only connecting point. This does no , even end the scene of their improvements, as the road partly completed by the City Board is intended to Be extended as far as the Waikawau Creek, the Boundary of the County.