WAIPAWA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3217, 21 October 1881, Page 2

WAIPAWA.

I (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) I October 20, 1881. Town, County, and Electoral District. The news relating to each of these important distinctions of tbe name " Waipawa " is beginning to take a move out of the public mind. The Licensing Act and the Town Districts Act are being digested in the place of tougher food, which seems to have stuck in some inappropriate position. That hard Dur, the public library will not be cracked. An attempt was made on Wednesday evening last to do something with it. A meeting of subscribers was called by advertisement in " Our Own Thunderer." Tbe necessary quorum was obtained (twelve members) A chairman was appointed, who put the question whether all present were subscribers, and there being no dissentient voice the chairman relied upon the truthfulness of the silence, and proceeded to business. The usual preliminaries having been disposed of, he stated that the position of tbe library was such, from tbe want of public support, that the committee would be unable to carry it on without becoming personally responsible for the future expenditure. As there was no prospect of being recouped they decliued incurring such a liability. After some considerable discussion it was finally resolved " That the Waipawa Public Library be closed," &c. It was then stated that there was about £18 in the bank, the amount of donations paid towards the erection of a suitable building, but as this project had also failed it was ultimately arranged to return the amount to the subscribers. These proceedings occupied upwards of an hour. At this juncture the Rev. J. C. Eccles requested permission to say a few words. As a member he had a right to do so, but the request aroused a doubt iv the mind of the Chairman, and he consequently asked the rev. gentleman whether he was a subscriber. He replied " No," and seemed to enjoy the fun. The fact was evident. A quorum was not present. The business transacted was all bosb. Hats were donned. To conclude the farce a vote of thanks was proposed to the chairman, and the congregation departed muttering texts that require revision. Pro bono publico. A ratepayer from Kopua complained in my hearing that he had come to pay his County rate, and could not find the collector. He had received a demand, and dreading a sbmmons with 10s 6d council's fee he had travelled to Waipawa to pay, but the office was closed. This was about 11 o'clock a.m. Another victim wanted to take out a summons, and attended at the Court House according to notice on a Wednesday between 9 30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., but fouod the clerk's office closed. The absence of these officials may be compulsory and unavoidable, but by posting up a notice of return at a certain time, the difficulty would be obviated. A cadet is suggested. He could fetch and carry. About the dead of night between Tuesday and Wednesday a number of mounted steeds were rushing over the

shingle of the bed of tbe Waipawa river, evidently in quest of some important object. Reining up the steeds, the riders proceeded in close order towards a Maori pab, and the words "Te Whiti" were uttered from one to another. The evolutions appeared incomprehensible. The troops then returned to the township and sought to forage at the Empire Hotel. Licensing law was dead to every appeal, and as a last resort a gallant charge was made through the Waverley Pass and the Bank Guard disbanded, after succeeding in their forlorn hope. It is surmised that "Dunville" had more to do with the affair than "Te Whiti." The interpretation to this handwriting shall be forwarded in our next. The Lydia Howarde troupe appeared here on Saturday and Monday nights last, and absorbed about £25 of Waipawa cash.