EKETAHUNA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1954, 1 April 1885, Page 2

EKETAHUNA.

(from our own correspondent.) Since my last letter very little of general interest has occurred at our bush village. With very short intermissions the weather has been wretched, and in consequence the bush burns around here—a most important item in bush settlement —have been very unsatisfactory. The election of the School Committee was attended with some fun. At eight o'clock, the appointed hour, the magnificent number of three settlers turned up, who waited till half-past eight, and then finding no others appearing on the scene, went in different directions, hunting up the free and independent electors of Eketahuna, By nine they succeeded in getting about a dozen together, so that a Committee consisting of Messrs Bayliss (chairman), Goddard, Jones, Nielson, Schorman, Sigversen, and Waterson were elected, I have no doubt, if the Education vote had to be raised by direct taxation, even in an out-of-the>way place like this more interest would be taken in this, one of our most important branches of local self-government,

Oor new schqol building is progressing fayorably, and will be ready for ocoupa-. tion in another week, It is a fine looking structures and will give the place an improved appearance. Unfortunately it gives only desk room for forty children, while nearly fifty are on the roll. A largely attended meeting was held at the school recently, and a resolution condemning theactionof tlje County Council in not aocepting tenders for metalling on the Alfredton Road was passed unanimously. Our two representatives in the Counoil came in for a good bit of censure, and must have felt their ears tingle on that particular evening. There is no doubt that the County has treated us most shamefully. Out of a loan of £2500 only £240 has been spent to benefit the ratepayers on this side, and we are obliged to pay interest towards the whole loan.; Twenty-five ratepayers have to pay special rates, without even having had an opportunity of recording their,., vote against the loan, the poll for'the loan having been taken fifteen miles away from here. It seems rather shabby, therefore, that Mr Macquarie, who by the way has had over a thousand pounds of the loan expended within the boundaries of his own district, should begrudge us a miserable eighteen chains of metalling, and worse, that Mr McCardle, the champion of the small settlers, should second him in the attompfc.

In consequence of MrTonner's ball the ni?ht before, Mr Beetham's post-ses-sional address was on'y sparsely attended. He referred shortly to most of the subjects, as in his address in Masterton. A vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr Baylies and seconded by Mr Anderson, was carried unanimously.