JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1037, 28 January 1911, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

: » — (By Tclegrapb.-Spocial CorrefinondcnU Wanganul, January 27. More, of the Education Department's methods have just been brought to light by letter received by tho AA'anganui Education Board, which for a considerable time past has been protesting against deductions by tho Department of £5 from allowance to Training Colleges pupils who are employed at relieving 'work during college holidays.

Aramoho now lias the benefit of a wnter supply, which was turned into the pipes from the town mains last night.

Tho'.long list of drownings in tho AVahganui Itivor was added to this afternoon, when a boy named Jack O'Neill, eleven years of age, lost his lifo while bathing off the foreshore in front of Taupo Quay. It appears that he got into dilliculties, and sank, and despite tho exertions of his companions, could not be rescued. Tho body was recovered with a fisherman's net half an hour after.

On his way north yesterday tho'.Premier was interviewed by several farmers, who presented a petition signed.by 94 settlors, asking the Government to acquire and cut up for settlement certain Native lands in tho Kai-iwi, AYaitotara, and Ruatangata Blocks. Sir Joseph AA'ard said that bo sympathised with the deputation, and agreed with tho principle of closer settlement, bjit the .land was Native-owned, and the Government would liavo to respect tho owner's rights. . Native lands were dealt with under Native laws, and tho Maori Land Boards had no power to take tho land eompulsorily. The Government could not force tho Natives to sell, and leavo them landless. Ho promised to look into tho matter, and communicate With the Native Minister.