WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 912, 28 January 1868, Page 2

WAIROA.

[FEOM OTJB O^YN COUHKSPONDENT.]

Clyde, Jan. 24, 1868. A meeting was held yesterday (Thursday) at the Court-house, for the purpose of making arrangements for appointing a resident clergyman of the Church of England for this place — a want that has been greatly felt by the inhabitants. Jlin lordship the Bishop of Waiapu presided. After a little discussion, and a brief speech from the Bishop, in his usual kind and homely style, arrangements were made as follows ; — That the settlers would guarantee the sum of £100 annually towards-a stipend, the Bishop to make up the balance of another £100, together with," for the present, House-rent

in the town of Clyde. lam h^appy to see that the Roy. Mr. Ronaldson is the gentleman appointed as clergyman. He has been a long resident in New Zealand, and is personally known to several of the settlers here. I feel confident he will give satisfaction, and we look forward with pleasure to having him among us. "The meeting' was carried on in a most amicable manner .throughout, there being ho dissentient voice in the" arrangements made. " A subscription list was also opened on the spot for the purpose of erecting a school-house, to be used also as a place of worship. Mr. Powdrell, senr. very liberally subscribed £10 10s. towards it, and between £30 and £40 were raised at the meeting. After the business was concluded, the Bishop was thanked most cordially for the kindly interest he had taken in this and other matters, and with the hopes and wishes of those assembled, that, they , might long have the pleasure of seeing his lordship, whenever he should be able to pay visits to the Wairoa.

The drought in this place is becoming to be seriously felt; nofc only is all herbage burnt up, but water for drinking and cooking purposes is scarce ; there are only two or three wells that produce good water. How I envy you Napier people, with your artesian, wells. What the poor Maories will do for food , shortly, goodness knows; their, potatoes are a failure, and they are now principally living on karaka berries, pitau, fern-root, andj -occasionally, a little fish.