WAKEFIELD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1852, 6 September 1907, Page 27

WAKEFIELD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Your correspondent had the misfoj? tune to be laid aside for a fortnigk by influenza, thus the usual letter did. not appear last week. Heavy rains having fallen, the epidemic of influenza has much, abated/ A lot of snow has fallen on the mountains, and they present a grand spectacle of glittering peaks and ranges. The plain and the sea make a beautiful foreground to so magnificent a scene.

Fruit trees are beginning to burst into a flood of blossom of glowing colour, and the weeping -willow is already diaped in delicate green. Green peas will soon be in the market, while crops and grass are coming on apace. Death has been very busy in our midst of late. Airs George Talbot died, at Richmond on tlie 24th ult., after a short illness. It is scarcely a. mouth sinoo Mr and Airs Talbot celebrated their golden wedding. The funeral took place at Richmond on Monday, 26th August, in the presence of a large assembly of relatives, friends and sympathisers, members of the Nelson City Council,- and many local bodies attending as a mark of respect to Air Talbot. The Rev. Stanley Jenkin and the Rev. T. B. Mayer conducted the service, while Mr Samuel Fittall, an old and tried friend of Air and Mrs Talbot, spoke at the grave.

Motions that letters of oondolenoe and sympathy be forwarded to Mr Talbot and family ,were passed at special and ordinary meetings of mamy public bodies and associations with whioh Mr Talbot has for many years been closely connected. Air William Hodgson, an old and respected resident of Spring Grove, died on the 26th August. He had reached the age of 87, and was laid to rest in St. Paul’s Churchyard, Brightwater; the Rev. W- G. Baker performing the funeral ceremony. Air Lawrence Dron died suddenly in Nelson, at the age of 77. He was at one time well known at Waimea West.

Our little local railway (41 miles), although at present it ends at no place in particular, appears to hold its own. As compared with the long Hurunui-Bluff line, which earned 72.12, Nelson-Tadmor is a close runner with 73.13. What will it net do when it reaches the Hope (some 17 miles further), taps the Great Buller Valley traffic, and opens up its vast resources of timber, coal, gold, etc*, and the largo agricultural areas are settled and worked .

The now settlement at Wangapeka is prospering. Many new houses axe going up, and a new school is to be built. They have elected a domain board, consisting of Messrs Corrigan, Cameron, AlcPherson, Phillips, and Thomas* Arrangements are being taken to erect co-operative saleyards. 'JClie raid on the Chineso gardeners living at Stoke, who were suspected of having and using opium, resulted in a fine of £2O against Ah Aloy, with costs £2 9s. ■

The work of developing the Aniseed Valley Copper Mines is slowly, but steadily being prosecuted. Dr W. R. Pearless, of Wakefield, has just purchased a handsome motor car. Both lio and his patients will find the benefit. Time means life, and delay death in many cases, therefore tho doctor is to bo congratulated in his new venture.

The school, which was closed for a week on account of the sickness of ' :,, 0 headmaster, resumed on Alonday. The annual examinations for Standard VI. and free places in the Nelson Colleges

took place on Friday, 23rd August. Forty-five pupils attending. The results, I hear, proved very satisfactory. Inspectors Harkness and Crawford conducted the examinations. Pupils from the neighbouring schools came to W akefield; that town being the centre of the district. The Literary Society and the Harmonic Society held their usual weekly meeting. The break in -he weather affected the attendance at both. The members of the harmonic are working hard for their coming annual concert. The technical classes are still well attended. Mrs Jane Maria Millard, relict of the" late Frederick Millard, passed away on Friday, 23rd August, at the age of 65. The late Mrs Millard had resided at Waimea West since 1861. She was buried at St. Michael’s, Waimea West; the funeral service being conducted by the Rev. G. S. Raker. She leaves three sons and four daughters. At the Literary Society to-night (Tuesday, 3rd September) the evening was devoted to impromptu speeches; Mr Geo. Wilkins occupied the chair. 'Next Tuesday is the last meeting, and is to take the form of a closing social. This society has done a lot of good, and w T ill most probably resume next autumn.