HOWICK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1396, 9 May 1868, Page 4

HOWICK.

(?BOM OtJB O'WH CORKESPONDBNT.) May 17. According to the following announcement, a meet* ing of settlers interested in forwarding education in the district was held here yesterday evening at; Brady's hotel: — 1 "Education Act, 1868. —A public meeting,of the: ratepayers of the highway districts ol Pakijirangi, Paparoa, and the township of Howick, will he held at Brady's hotel, Howick, on Wednesday, the 6th day of May, 1868, at 7 o'clock p.m., to take into consideration the propriety of bringing the Act into operation within the above district.-— Eyebt MacT.V.V, Chairman. N.B.—At least ten ratepayers from each district must be present to form a quorum: for that district." Every Maclean, Esq., presided. The Education Act, together with a circular from his Honor the Superintendent, were read. A considerable amount of discussion took place as to whether a rate should be levied for educational purposes for the Paparoa, Howick, and PakurangL districts, but only one ratepayer voted for compulsory rating. Some of the speakers doubted the efficacy of Mr. Wynn's permissive tax; others approved of the views put forth ,by Mr. Powditch, of Onejiunga; while others were in favour of a compulsory tax. One or two of tha speakers allucied to the failure of the denominational system; but,with one exception, all opposed taxation for such purpOBOS. The absence of the Chairman of the Howick District, who is believed to have gone to the Australian side, and the disappearance of the documents connected with the district, were very forcibly . .alluded to.