SOIREE AT TAPANUI

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 160, 2 March 1871, Page 5

SOIREE AT TAPANUI

(From a Correspondent.)

The first tea meeting in connection with the Presbyterian congregation of Tapanui was held in the schoolroom on the evening of Tuesday, the 21st ult. The schoolroom — which is one of the largest aiid handsomest T have seen for a place like Tapanui — was crowded, and ample justice was done to the elegant repast provided. In passing, we may remark that the building bears evidence of the abundance of timber in the neighbourhood, as the desks and benches, and everything about it, are of the most substantial description. The number of scholars, I believe, is about fifty, and I was told there were about fifry more under five years of age likely soon to be drafted in. The assemblage showed the flourishing nature of this community. The town has greatly increased during the List two years or so, and is likely, 1 should think, to incrt-ase rapidly at no distant date, so soon as the surrounding country is open for settlpment. Although declared open by Government, yet, through some log;il difficulty which our Executive are always getting into, through bungling management, a stoppage is put to any sale. How long thi3 will continue, lam not aware, but the sooner the difficulty can be overcome the better. There are miles of splendid level country, having all the advantages of abundance of water, with cut timber close at hand at the lowest prices from the three saw mills that are now busy at work, and firewood to any extent in the vicinity to be had for the drawing. The climate is said to be severe in winter, but I had the testimony of a practical farmer to its proving no hindrance to the raisins of good crops of wheat. The district, although not far removed from Tnapeka by distance, is cut off by the barrier of the Blue Mountains. I believe, however, that no insuperable obstacle lies in the way of cutting a road through the Gorge, which is at present followed as the usual track by horsemen. Independently of this, however, the outlet by the Switzers road, which joins the road to the Teviot, opens up a market for produce raised in that district, which would prove sufficiently near, and certainly far more remunerative than the overstocked markets down country. All that would be needed, and it is indeed imperatively required if that fine plain is to be opened up for occupation, is to cut out and pitch the crossing places of the numerous soft creeks -which meander through the plain. From the proximity of the Blue Mountains, these creeks rapidly rise to an alarming size, and when the crossing place is uncertain, as will then be the case, and often beset with muddy holes, the attempt to pass through is attended with danger. A very trifling expenditure to accomplish this pitching, in the manner of the crossing places of the creeks between Lawrence and the Beaumont, would probably be sufficient to render this part of the country one of the most attractive places for settlement in the province.

The Rev. Mr. Uric, the pastor of the congregation, occupied the chair. He stated that when he settled in the district seven yeara ago, the only occupants were those connected with the sheep stations. Now the population settled in this place formed a goodly congregation, having two elders and four deacons. This was the first meeting of the kind in connection with it, and he trusted it would bo followed by many more. He called on Mr. Neish to lay before them a statement of their financial affairs.

Mr. Neish read the report, from which it appeared that £160 had been raised for the Sustentation Fund, and collections made for the various schemes of the church ; that the usual Sabbath collections at the door amounted to over £'25. and that, after defraying current incidental expenses, a balance of £12 18a remained, which would be devoted, along with the proceeds of the church door collections in future, as a nucleus of a fund for the erection of a church.

Mr. Whyte proposed the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr. Elder, and agreed to.

The Rev. Mr. Connor, of Popotunoa, delivered an able and eloquent address on the advantages of Education.

The Rev. Dr. Copland spoke on the various spheres of missionary work in which thu Presbyterian Church was engaged, and solicited their nympathy and co-operation.

Mr Jamison, of Lawrence, spoke of the desirableness of erecting a building of their own for their worship. Mr Ncish made some remarks on tho Sabbath School, which is carried on regularly and prosperously. Several hymna were sung by the Sabbath School children during the evening, and the meeting waa closed with the benediction