TUAPEKA NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 14117, 21 July 1909, Page 2

TUAPEKA NEWS.

[From Our Own Correspondent.]

LAWRENCE, July 20. the Lawrence sub-branch of the Ota go Educational Institute met on Saturday. tho meetings of this branch have not been held lor some considerable time, so many or the teachers having Saturday classes to attend m Dunedin. There is a prospect, however, of fairly regular mooting tor some time to come, and certainly tho good representation on Saturday (thirteen members) justified the effort to'resuscitate the branch. Messrs Darton and Tvndall were p-electcd president and secretary respectively, and Mcsdames Fowlct, Harrison, and Patcrson were appointed vicepresidents. A matter which evoked a considerable amount of discussion was introduced by Mr Tvndall. The Government have suddenly felt the necessity of pursuing a very drastic retrenchment policy. So far it has not affected the teaching profession, but it may. Already there are rumors of local taxation for buildings, etc. The teauhers of the Dominion have°lately, after a haid battle, gained certain concessions, which have put them on a more reasonable footing. There are other "changes, it was pointed out, that ought to be made, but in the meantime it behoved all teachers to safeguard themselves against any reversion to the old state of affairs, and to see tliat in the retrenchment policy essentials wexo not sacrificed to " frills.'" Mr Strachan was asked to prepare an address for the next meeting on the subject of " Graphs." Since Prohibition came into full force, and the hotel lights were no longer required to set out the sign " Licensed to sell spirituous liquors,'' the gloom in the main thoroughfare in Lawrence has been painfully distressing after nightfall, and especially so at this season of the year. The borough councdlors were among the first, to notice this, asi the existing street lamps, fed with kerosene, only help to make the gloom the gloomier. At Monday night's Council meeting Cr Winn made reference to the matter, and recommended that the Public Works Committee take into consideration the advisability or otherwise of providing a couple more street lamps for Ross place. The Council approved, and the Works Committee will report next meet-ing-night.

A gentleman residing at Hastings in the North Maud has written to tlic 13orougii Council asking if the members are disposed to consider .a proposal for granting a concession for a private electrical installation in the borough, the Council, if eo desired, to have the right to purchase the plant within a rert:iin period. A .reply has been vouchsafed tint the Council are not indisposed to consider any reasonable proposition that may be submitted. The. need of an improvement on the existing method of lighting the. borough, provided the expense is not too great, is now self-ap-parent. The farm property belonging to MreMartin Ryan at Waitahuna har, changed cwnensnip, Mr Edward Hughes being the purchaser. It lies handy to the township, is well roaded, and is partly skirted by the Lawrence railway line. I'hc area, is 450 acres, and the price £2,ooo—oyct £7 10s per acre.

The thaw which set in last Saturday still continues, followed by a slight drizzling iain, which is not improving the condition of the roads, especially where there is heavy trartic.