TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 22, Issue 277, 22 May 1873, Page 6

TAPANUI.

(From owr own. Correspondent*). May 17th. In a quiet little place like Tapanui, it is somewhat difficult to get material for a letter, as the occurrences of one day are similar to another, dull, stupid and monotonous. Sometimes, however, some petty jealousy convulses society to its very centre, causing a tremendous amount of discussion, and often bo^om friends become implacable enemies (for about a week). This is generally the case when any pubh'c business is to be transacted, anything in face, which requires more than on,o person to decide. But these little affairs are mere passing shadows which don't materially affect the general harmony and good feeling. At present I don't know of anything of vital importance to chronicle. The school matter is settled. A great many persons got it into their heads that Mr. South — our new teacher — was playing fast and loose with the School Committee; this idea appears to have been encouraged by persons whose reason for so dotu^ it is difficult to understand. The School Committee was rather surprised, I imagine, to have a large audience at their last meeting — the township turned out to a man to listen to their learned and able discussions. The principal business done was thnt in connexion with Mr. Souths appointment ; all the correspondence was read for the benefit of the audience, aud as far as I am capable of judging — and which, I believe to be the general opinion — Mr. South has acted throughout in a thoroughly straightforward and gentlemanly manner, and however much it is to be regretted that the school has been without his services so long, still it is very unfair to try and: throw the blame on him, of which he is innocent. After a deal of discussion, a motion was carried to the effect, that the Secretary w,rit& to Mr. South, urging him to accelerate his movements, if possible, as the case was urgent. As the matter is now fairly settled, and as it has occasioned a little ill-feeling, I think the least said about it the better. Iv the meantime, the school is to be closed, until Mr. Souih's arrival. He promises to be here about the be-gin-njns of next month I understand 1 . Before quitting this subject, which has been, brought before the public more or less trathfully several times, T wish to refer to "A HumbuggedOue\s v letter, \yhicli, appeared i'a youp last issue. I must aympatbise with the individual who wrote thai; letter^ j aa it is clear, he has bee.a " humbugged," or soa»e othep calamity baa befallen him, or he would aever Lare used such epithets to. a gentlemen

Bluffer," &c. Pprhaps it is the effect of his ponderous wit. In the line of building, I see Mr. N. M'Millan is making a large addition and other improvements to his already commodious hotel. This building when completed will add greatly to the appearance of the town, being situated in a central position. 1 believe the style is an ingenious blending of tho G-othic and Grecian, with a little of the Oriental in it. These improvements having cost a fistful of money (this was told mo in strict confidence), Mr. M. now intends to drink every time he is asked. For a long time Tapanui rejoiced in the possession of a publican who never drank unless he was thirsty, and he was not a particularly thirsty soul, it was pretby safe asking him to drink. It isn't sale now, however, as I know to my cost — sixpence. I saw the other day, some tremendous potatoes grown on Mr. John M'Coll's farm ; seventeen of which, taken from ouo stalk, weighed iv the aggregate twenty-seven pounds — this included small and large, some of the larger ones must have weighed over two pounds. These were grown on bush land. The liom.au Catholic residents in this district, have presented tho llev. Father Larkin with a splendid riding hack — tho cost of the animal was something over I believe. This is evidently a delicately expressed request for the rev. gentleman to visit them oftener.