WAITAHUNA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 279, 5 June 1873, Page 5

WAITAHUNA.

(From our oxen Correspondent.)

The dissolution of the Piovincil Council and the causes which led to it have been pretty freely discussed here, and, although opinions slightly differ, his Honor's action in the matter meets with very general approval. It is said there are a dozen candidates in the field for the honor of representing Waitahuna in the new Council — the late member, Mr. G. P. C. Browne, and Messrs. Mackay and Dewes being amongst the number. There is some talk of outsiders putting in an appearance ; but I have heard it said that they may save themselves-the trouble, as they would have no chance against a local man. I have heard that the reply to tho petition forwarded to the Government, asking that a Board of Wardens be appointed for the Waitahuna district, was favorable to the wishes of the petitioners. The matter is in the hand of the Provincial Solicitor, who is framing regulations for the guidance of the Board. The Board will consist of five members, including the chairman, the latter to be nominated by the Board — the appointment to be sanctioned by his Honor. Any person possessing any of the following qualifications will be entitled to a vote for a member of the Board : — Miners' right, business licence, or name on electoral roll. A Dunedin contemporary, commenting on the new Gold Mining Act, says that copias have been supplied to the various mining associations. This statement is hardly correct, as no copy has been re-

ceived by the Waitahuna Miners' Mutual Protection Committee, although Mr. Mouat promised to, forward one to the Committee as soon as the Bill was drafted. It is not too late for him to redeem his promise. I have heard that the Bill contains a clause which provides that 10s. per annum is to be paid for every sluice head of water used by the miners. How a man oan profess to be a friend of the miners, as Mr. Shepherd professes to be, and yet support the levying of such a tax is more than I can understand. He argues that the miner by paying 10s. per sluice head will secure a better title. I can't see it. Under the present regulations I can go and cut a race and bring in forty sluice heads, and am only required to pay half-a-crown a year for the renewal of my license, and any interference with my right the law prohibits. If I paid 103. per annum per sluice head, the law could do no more for me. His argument may carry conviction to some minds ; but T confess I don't see through it. An opinion has prevailed for a long time that the district school is not centrally 3itnated, and that its removal to Havelock, or at least half way between its present position and that township, a necessity. It will no doubt be satisfactory to those who are of that opinion to know that Mr. Hislop, Inspector of Schools, in his report for the year 1872, refers to the removal of the school. The school was examined by Mr. Hislop on the 25th September, 1872. I copy from report : — "On roll— boys, 82 ; girls, 67 ; total, 129. Present— boys, 45 ; girlf , 48 ; total, 93. Mining and agricultural district. School and residence are apart. Both are new and suitable ; but a class-room for the mistress is urgently needed. She usually teaches in a room of the master's house. I believe, however, that this school will have to be removed nearer Havelock township shortly. A master and mistress are employed. This is a most efficiently taught school. The pupils, from the lowest to the highest class, are well advanced for thoir years. The reading is correct and distiuct. Arithmentic is most successfully taught. Home exercises are well done. Singing from notes is tau^h' very efficiently. The results in the other subjects are very satisfactory"