WAIPAWA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5018, 26 February 1878, Page 2

WAIPAWA.

[from our special correspondent.] February 25. The school committee, it will have been observed, made an application to the Education Board for the extension of the boundaries of the school district, so as to take in Waipawa Bush and Richmond Park, and the application, I should think, would be granted as a matter of course. The Waipawa Bush is in the immediate neighborhood of the township, and Richmond Park, which is now quite a large village, is about a mile and a-half distant. Both these localities are in the Patangata school district, y\ ith which they can have no possible connection. The fact that the adoption of road board boundaries as school boundaries was a mere matter of temporary convenience, is the only excuse for such an arrangement, but is, at the same time, an adequate one. It is a wonder to me, however, that the road board itself does not follow the example of the school committee, and petition for an extension of its boundaries. Waipawa, at present, realises the idea of a rural township cut off from the (surrounding country for rating purposes. Ido not see why it should do so any longer. The inadequacy of school accommonation for the wants of the place is very conspicuous. Mr Waite, who has about 60 scholars, has appointed his establishment as a free school under the Act. Mr Rogers has his school in the Rechabite Hall, where he has about 30 scholars, and is, I believe, desirous also of coming under the Act. A school is also held in the Catholic chapel, which, however, I believe is not numerously attended. There are two fairly attended girls' schools, taught by Miss Hamlin and Mrs Arrow. All these establishments, however, do not provide education for more than half the children in the township and neighborhood. A high school for boys is also badly wanted. A similar want for girls is most likely to be supplied, I believe, very satisfactorily by the school which Miss Porter has just opened in the house formerly occupied by Mr J. M. Wood. 1 should, perhaps, have said the Misses Porter, as a second Miss Porter is shortly expected here to trke part in the management of the institution. The Rev. Mr White, the highly popular and esteemed Methodist clergyman, is, I regret to hear, about to take his departure. It is reported that he will be succeeded by Mr Parkin, late of Napier. That is an arrangement, however, that is not thought likely to answer. Times are not so brisk as they usually are at this period of the year. One of the three storekeepers, I regret to observe, has found it necessary to compound with his creditors. The current belief is, however, that the estate will realise the full twenty shillings in the pound. The place certainly presents the appearance of bustle and activity, and nowhere more than in Messrs Corskie and Robb's smithy and coach factory. I had the pleasure of inspecting there a strong, elegant, and well-finished double-seated buggy, just completed to Mr Dillon's order. It would have done credit to the metropolitan establishments of either Messrs Faulknor or Vinsen. It is stronger built than buggies usually are that are required only for use in the neighborhood of Napier, as it will have a rough road to travel over. It is furnished with iron bark wheels and patent mail axles. The cost, I believe, is £55. Messrs Corskie and Robb have also in hand a four-wheeled dog cart, which is being constructed to the order of Mr Baker, of the Empire Hotel, and bids fair to do credit to the manufacturer.