THE OPEPE MEMORIAL AT TAURANGA.

The massacre of a detachment of Tauranga Cavalry, at a place called Opepe.will scarcely have faded from public recollection, nor perhaps that a considerable sum of money — some £70— was subscribed in Tauranga by relatives and friends of those who fell on that very sad occasion, for the purpose of erecting in Te Papa a monument in commemoration of the tragedy. Some time elapsed, and the original intention was not carried out, but it was determined by a majority of the subscribers to cause the monument to uiume a useful form by applying it to the building of a large central schoolroom, there greatly needed. That bnilding has been finished for about a year, * and is creditable not only to the architect and contractors but alao to the district sit large. A social festival celebrating its completion took place on Monday evening, Mr. S. L. Clarke, J.P., being in the chair. About 130 persons took tea, which was accompanied by an abundant provision of delicacies. When the tables were removed and the audience was readmitted there must have been over 250 people present, representing every persuasion and degree in the district, and it was remarked that never before in Tauranga had inch a social and friendly gathering been witnessed. In the concert which followed the performers were — Mrs. Tovey, Mrs. H. T. Clarke, Mrs. S. L. Clarke, Mrs. Edgecumbe; Misses : Blandford, Tnnks, Clarke, and' Faulkner. Messrs. Clarke,' Barrows, George, Sitrnns, .Booth, Masters Clarke (3), Messrs. S. L. »no*H. J. Clarke, CaptainSkeet, and Dr. Armitage, gave readings. — [Correspondent.]

. WHAU: DISTBICT SCHOOL.

A public examination wai held on Friday December 20. There were 35 children .present, who were examined in every brunch and subject of education taught. Tiie. examiners were Messrs. -Sansom and Bollard, .assisted by the teacher (Mr. Warnaup). — The following prizes were adjudged: — First class : Boys — 'William Hooper, Eichard F. Bollard. Girls— Mary J. Bollard, Elizabeth Lawrence. , Second class : Boys — John B. Lawrence,, John G. Bollard. Girls — Agnea Lawrence, Margaret Bollard, Sarah" Ann White. Third class: 1st prize, James Buohanan j 2nd, Burnette Poppletori; 3rd, Charlotte Harper ; 4th, Tait. Hononir-' able mention of John Woods, Mary J. McCaul, Elizabeth Forsytb, Catherine Archibald.The following ladies- kindly consented toexamine the needlework r Mesdames Hill, Sinclair, andJPeigafo.- The prizes were: 1st, r* & a I^ A '™ n^^¥ t * J "2nd, May J> MoCanl ;". '3rd, Catherine , Archibald;- 4th,' Biirnetta :">-?>Foppleton/|kHononrable. mention: Mary J '^hite, Margaret Bdllard, Anne -^orayth. The girl«showed 2 great proficiency in this depart-* wbichis presided over by Mrs. Warnanp r'jAmrdihre^xijajination the sohooMeast "took style, PtW^??** J^ntwttofH^Ceef for supple-" =t«haa^tf^l^o^mtdeFgreat^rogTeM"dnrmg tEe year, and; wer« highly complimented by ~ H&mr •zamicen, ,- ' , : -; / *_ • ,

THE DRAKE STREET LEVEL.

A meeting of the Street Committee of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon, pursuant to advertisement, to hear the objections the property-owners in JDrake-street had to urge against the proposed level of that street. The members of the Street Committee present were the Mayor (in the chair), and Councillors Prime and Jones. A great deal of general conversation was indulged in by the opposers of the proposed improvements while examining the plans. On being asked individually what their objections were 'to the proposed work, Mr. Ogitvie stated his objection to be a personal one, the expense to whieh he would be put in altering his property to the lowered leve?. However, if any alterations were made at all, he was in favour of the full extant of alterations recommended by the City Surveyor, rather than the modified form suggested by Mr. Bartley. Were the cutting down made full 10ft. deep opposite his pro* perty, although it would put him to some expense, ho could get another storey into his house by bringing it to the level of the street. A cutting 6ft, or 7ft. deep would prevent him doing this. — Mr. Akers, of the Ked Lion Hotel, was the strongest objector of all. He was opposed to all cutting opposite his property either in Drake-street or Hardinge-street. He had 100ft. frontage to Drake-street and about 120ft. to Hardingestreet. He was quite regardless how deep the cutting should be made higher up, provided it ran out level at his property. He was a leasehold tenant, and considered his property would be injured by the cutting down of either of the streets. — Mr. Cooper also objected on the ground of the expense he would be put to in altering his property. He would make no objection provided the City Council would make the necessary alteration in hia property to bring him on the street level. — Mr. Bartley was not opposed to any cutting being made in Drake-street, but suggested a modification of the proposed plans by having the ousting ran out at the present lerel of Nelson-street. The plans as prepared proposed a cutting there of some 3ft. , running off on another gradient to Hobson-street. In 1867 when he built some houses be obtained from the then City Board Wharf what waB to be the permanent level of that portion of Drake-street, and was informed that it would be 3ft. 6in. opposite his property. He did not object to that depth being cut off, but pressed for the modified form he had suggested being adopted. He was informed that the Council were trying to work in har- ] mony with the Harbour Board in these improvements, and to make the levels of the j city streets conform with the level of the Beach Road, so as to draw the traffic through the town instead of along the beach. He was also informed that if the Counoil managed to work in harmony with the Harbour Board the work could be done cheaper now than ever it could be again. The Harbour Board wanted a large amount of clay and earth for refilling and general reclamation purposes, and if an agreement could be come to between the two Corporations it was possible the city could get the clay from the cuttings removed at an expense of, perhaps, 6d. or 7d. per cubic yard, instead of 15d. as they would otherwise have to pay. The ratepayers might rest assured that, if an agreement were made between the City Corporation and Harbour Board in respect to these works, £500 of city money would now go as far as £1,000 would at a future time. Mr. Bartley then said that, if all the others were willing that the proposed improvements be carried out, he should offer no objection to Mr. Anderson's levels being adopted. — Mr. Wallace objected on behalf of his father, on account of the expense he would be pnt to in altering his propei ty to suit the proposed levels.— Mr. Dundas was quite in favour of the proposed levels Bince he had seen the plans, and was sure that almost everyone who had signed the petition against the proposed levels would be in favour of them if they were properly explained to the people. — Mr. Akers objected to Mr. Dundas speaking at all, as he had not property fronting either Drake- or HardingeBtreet. — Mr. Dundass replied that he was almost equally affected as if he had property within 60 feet of the street frontage. The objectors then retired, and the committee considered that no good reason had been adduced against the proposed improvements, and agreed to report the objections to the Council, andhaye the jnatter_sectled. in open Council at its next meeting.