TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 51, 30 January 1869, Page 3

TAPANUI.

XFrom our Own Correspondent.) I am afraid your readers cannot com* mend you on the choice you made of a correspondent at Tapanui, inasmuch as nothing has appeared in your columns from this district for the last week or two. As an apology however, I tender a plea of absence from home, and promise amendment in future. Our chief business since entering upon the present year, has been the electing of committees to carry on our limited* public affairs for 1869. On the 11th of this month a numerously attended meeting was held in the Town Hall, to elect a new School Committee — YT. Strean, secretary to the retiring committee, gave a very interesting report, which showed that the school has progressed rapidly for the short time it has been in existence, only eight months ; there being at present, thirty scholars on the roll. The new Committed consists of the following gentlemen : — Messrs. Patterson, Streart, McFarlane, White, Edwards, Mounteney, j Keir, Crawford, and Matikie. After a considerable amount of business had been affected, the meeting was concluded by recording a vote of thanks to Dr. ifiven for occupying the chair. During the same week a meeting was convened for tlie purpose of organizing a Progress Committee to attend to the interests of the town. A great deal of enthusiasim was displayed in connection with this matter. A good many of the residents evidently wish to acquire a knowledge of municipal affairs, preparatory to the election of a Town Council. The first matter requiring their attention^ is the erection of a fence round the Cemetery — a work which I believe they have taken in hand already. Then there was a meeting to elect a Library Committee ; another to elect a Hall Committee, and I don't know what all. The Mutual Improvement Society met} as usual on Thursday last. W. JTeisH, the newly elected' President, delivered an instructive Essay on Matrimony, picturing out in glowing terms the comforts and advantages which the Benedicts enjoy over their less fortunate brethren the Bachelors. An animated discussion followed, in which almost every member present took part. An occurrence of rather a serious Mature took place at Neilson's Waipahi Hotel, on Wednesday last. The particulars of the case as far as I can learn, are as follow. It appears that a number of men, who have been repairing the road between the above mentioned place and Tapanui, had received their wages on Tuesday from the Government Engineer. The day fol* lowing they all went to the Waipahi Hotel, and in the midst of a drunken brawl one of them was set upon by the others and lucked to death. Information was at once conveyed to the authorities, and on Thursday, Drs Smith and Ferguson arrived from the Clutha Ferry, when an inquest was held. I have not been able to ascertain the verdict returned by the jury. However, one of the party has been apprehended on a charge of murder. Tins is the second casualty which has occurred within the last fortnight or so. The first being the death of Mr George Mounteney's boy, which was caused by a tree falling on him in the bush. The Government has Sit last stationed an officer of justice among us. It is a matter of surprise how they did not do so long ago, seeing that the gaol and policeman's residence have been erected for several months. By the recent postal alterations, the luapeka Tim.es suits us eminently. It peaches Tapanui on the day of publication. Tapanui, Jan. 25, 1869. [The coroner's jury, we have since returned a verdict of Manslaugh»r against the parties. -Ed. T. T.J .