RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 717, 20 January 1877, Page 3

RAGLAN.

The past week has been one of the red letter days for our quiet village. On Tuesday last a fare-well dinner was given to our fellow-settler, T B Hill, Esq, who is about leaving the, district for a while It is needless to say that the dinner, notwithstanding the short notice, was a thorough success, and must have been most gratifying to our guest. One of the Committee was deputed to report proceedings fully for the press, a copy of which, no doubt, will have reached you ere now. The Council also met on this day, but as you have already noticed that., there is no necessity to allude to it again. Wednesday was set apart for a farewell picnic to Mrs Hill and family. The weather was everything that could be desired, if anything a little too hot, no withstanding this, a most enjoyable day was spent by all. Every family m the district was represented. Towards evening the picnicers recrossed to the township, where after a visit to the wardrobe, all those who were votaries of Terpsicore wended their way to the Courthouse to indulge in the " light fantastic," certainly this goddess never had so many votaries at her shrine before in this place as she had on this occasion, there being upwards of seventy people; present, amongst whom were several from Waipa and Te Awamutu. The music was presided over by Mr Powell, whose performances on the violin were much appreciated. He was ably assisted by the Misses White, Gilmour, and Graham on the piano. Of course it was a case of "We wont go home till morning till daylight doth appear," On Saturday the Raglan Book Club held its annual meeting, when a committee was elected consisting of Dr Harsant, Rev Schnackenburg, Messrs McLeod, McGillivray and Bush. Dr Harsant was subsequently elected President, Mr Bush, Honorary Treasurer and Secretary, and Mr Barford Librarian. At the same time that the above meeting was going on, another had assembled in the chapel to elect a School Committee for the current year. Some time elapsed before a sufficient number had assembled to constitute a meeting, when Mr Schnackenburg proposed that Mr. Bush take the chair, this proposition being duly seconded, that gentlemin transferred himself to the chair when a question arose as to whether natives who lived in the township and who were willing to pay the rates, could participate in electing the committee. It was ruled that as aboriginal natives were especially exempted from paying rates, they were therefore disqualified from taking part in the proceedings. This excluding natives from our village schools appears to be a mistake, and no doubt when school matters are properly adjusted this will be rectified. The following gentlemen were proposed as committeemen :— Messrs Schnackenberg, Powell, Bush, Galvan, Philp, Leatham, Wylie. Messrs Powell and Bush declining the honour, the other five were declared duly elected. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. Subsequently the committee held a meeting at which the Rev Mr Schnackenberg was elected chairman and Mr Galvan secretary. The schooner Echo left for Manukau on Saturday morning, but in consequence of the wind changing to the north she was compelled to run back to Raglan, where she arrived about sun down. She is still in harbour. — -Own CorresponDENT.