RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1536, 9 May 1882, Page 3

RAGLAN.

During the past week the scholars attending the Kaglan, Waitetuna, Mate, Ruapuke schools have been examined in regard to the progress they have made hi their studies during the last year by Mr Goodwin, School Inspector. Both for the credit of the respective teachers and the benefit of the scholars, it is to be hoped that his report on the scholars mentioned will prove to be satisfactory. The weather which we have experienced since I last communicated with you has been of the most boisterous description. In several places the damage done to the orchards has been great. The fruit trees in many cases have been all broken to pieces by the heavy winds, while in other cases I have noticed large peach and pear trees blown completely out of the ground. Mr Liddell's orchard, which is piobably the largest and finest in the district, has been very much destroyed. There have been two very sudden deaths in the district since last week, both of which may also be partly ascribed to the severe and changeable weather. One, the second (laughter of Capt. J. G. Johnstone, who caught a heavy cold and was, I believe, only ill two days when she died. The other, a fine young native named Tongo, who became similarly unwell and who also as far as I understand, died very suddenly. This native leaves a wife and young family to mourn his loss. It is evident the Maoris in Kawhia and Aotea have learned to appreciate the benefit which the possession of a flour mill confers upon them. They have ground a large quantity of wheat at^the Maari mill, latterly ; aud now Mr Liddell mho built it has received orders from Hone te Hone to proceed with the erection of another at Powewe, in Kawhia. With the probability that it will be less used than the one at Maari, it i 3 consequently to be of smaller dimensions. It is to be built by subscriptions raised amongst the natives living in the two districts just mentioned. A boat is to be built by them for the purpose of transshipping the flour to the various settlements on the shores of the harbour. This undertaking marks another step in the adoption of European ways and customs. The pi imitivo canoe is to be deposed, and in place of it we are to see a vessel of European style. The llev Mr Philips, of Te Awamutu, has just paid his quarterly visit to the various settlements m tills district. Wherever lie held divine services he had good congiegations. He still continues to maintain hi& populai ity as a minister, with all classes of the community. Mr La Tiobe's place of teacher, at the Waitetuna school, having become vacant by his appointment to the Whatawhata school, tin- Central Board have appointed Misjs Spencer, late of Haiapepe, to fill the vacancy. fShu holds, a CD. ceitificate, and comes here with the leputation of being a good teacher. The roads liere, owing to the bad weather prevailing, arc in a dreadful shite at the present time. The load on the Hakramata range is very muddy, and tiavellcis would do well to keep away from it just now. Some formation is being done near Mr Moon's, and I think the judgment of the Whaingaioa Road Board is heie at fault. It should have been done before the wet weather set in. The fault may, however, lie elsewhere. — (Own Correspondeiit.)