UPPER MAHURANGI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3188, 4 October 1867, Page 3

UPPER MAHURANGI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

My erratio nature having led me into the public hall whilst the Highway Trustees were sitting in conclave, I was much surprised at the puzzled expression of countenance worn by each of them, and determined, if possible, to discover what might be the cause of so much anxiety to our rural magnates. 1 therefore remained till their business was concluded, and am happy to say that my curiosity was rewarded. , It appears that some portion of the Highway Act is particularly obscure, that is to say, even more so than the remaining portions, and may be interpreted to mean anything that anybody may wish. The Trustees, with laudable desire to do their duty, had written to the Superintendent requesting information as to the intended meaning of the clause in question. They, in reply, had received, as study for their leisure hours, copies of all the Highway Acts that had ever been framed and repealed, with, at the same time, an intimation that the Governmeat did not act as legal advisers. Here was the origo mali. At last one of them had suggested that the Government, not knowing how to interpret it, and being driven to'its wit's end, had availed itself of this excuse as the only means by which it could avoid exposing its ignorance. Brilliant idea ! Each face immediately became radiant with smiles; each trustee immediately interpreted the Act, at least to his own satisfaction, and is willing, of course for a consideration, to supply the Government with his solution of this knotty question. I hear that under the new Act the first Tuesday in October is the day fixed upon for the election of trustees ; this , is a decided improvement upon the old plan, for they will now be able to get into working order and collect the rates sufficiently early for them to carry on their works during the summer months. At a recent meeting of the Agricultural Society's committee it was decided that the annual show should he held on November 13. This will be the first attempt at an affair of the kind in this district, and I hope that the result may answer the expectations of those interested in its success. Prizes will be given for every description of live stock, and also for early potatoes, cheese, and butter ; but the amount of each has not as yet been fixed, and will depend on what state the exchequer may be in at the time. It had been stipulated that the ploughing match this year should be held at Matakana ; but none of the members from that quarter attended the meeting, neither did they send any information as to where a piece of land could be obtained for the purpose, so the committee were compelled to defer making arrangements till a future time, and in all probability it will have to stand over till after Christmas. Four tenders for the erection of the Kaurawhero j school were sent in, and Mr. Horsley's, the lowest, was accepted. He made a start upon Monday morning, and expects to finish in five weeks, but the weather is so unsettled that I am afraid that he will be frequently delayed.