TAKAKA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1748, 6 September 1905, Page 27

TAKAKA.

(From Our Own Oorresnon-^ent.i It is currently reported that a large amount cf mach.nery is on the way for the Reward Claim, which adjoin® the Hidden Treasure Company's claim. If this rumour is true it will mean a lot of work in this place. I hear that the Hidden Treasure test which was taken up to Auckland is anxiously awaited by the shareholders down this way. The Lower Takaka School Committee have decided in consequence of the unsatisfactory attendance to enforce the compulsory clausa of the Education Act. This is a thing that ought to have been done years ago, but the committee have been very reluctant to enforce the Act, but now it is to be hoped they will persevere in their endeavour to make parents send their children to school a little more regularly, for it is a shame that children should be brought up in ignorance when education is to be obtained just for the sending of the children to achool.

At the last meeting of the local Council it was decided to take a poll on the question of rat : ng on unimproved values. The Nelson Rep. footballers have, once again, made their annual apology for not playing our representatives. It is a few years now since a rep. team crossed the Bay from Nelson to meet the local players, but every season the same old cry is heard that the Nelson reps, are coming over, and that is. as far as it gets, which is very discouraging to the young players here. A social and dance wore held at Miotupipi last week, the occasion being the reopening of the school there, which has been closed for some time past, on account of alterations and additions to the building. There was a fairly large attendance and a lengthy programme seemed to please everyone present. During an interval supper was handed round by the ladies of the locality, and was thoroughly enjoyed. After the concert the room wasi cleared, and dancing was kept going until the early hours of the morning. The annual general meeting of the Takaka Racing Club’-'was held last Wednesday at the Sfehool of Mines. The balance-sheet showing a‘handsome credit balance was read and adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr S. Fittall; Vice-Presidents, Messrs W. J. Reilly, O. Haase, H. T. Goodwin, G. Gibbs, F. Gaukrodger, and T. Mortimer©; Secretary, Mr.J. T. Moore; Judge, Mr J. E. Bartlett; Clerk of Course, Mr J. Madigan; Clerk of Scales, Mr W. J. Reilly; Starter, Mr J. Page; Auditor, Mr J. B. Sadd; Committee, Messrs J. Reilly, A. Winter, C. Rogers, E. Rosser, F. Reilly, D. Barnett, J. Solly, R. Bensemann, J. Haase, F. Edgar, C. Manson and J. Madigan; Handicappers, trotting races, Mr W. Coleman; Flat' races, Mr J. E. Bartlett. This club deserve great praise for the manner in which they have worked up their annual fixture. We are going to have some more of Prohibition versus State Control debate shortly, Mr Atmore, Nelson, having stated through th© local paper that he is going to give Mr Price an opportunity to refute his (Mr Atmore's) statements. Mr Price is an evangelist, also a great prohibitionist and is working hard to put down the drink traffic, but whether he will succeed in this Valley remains to be seen later on.

I learn that the Golden Bay Rugby Union received a communication from the Masterton Thursday Union re playing a match here. The first date Suggested was September 4th, but as this would not suit, it was decided to play the match on September 9th. Given a fine day there will be a big crowd to witness the contest, for the talk of nearly every young person in this Valley is the coming match. There is one thing of which I am certain, and that is whether the visitors are beaten or not they will have a real good time with onr boys during their stay.