WAITAHUNA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13250, 5 April 1905, Page 5

WAITAHUNA.

(Feou Ooa Ohk CobrespondektJ

; .. . ' ■ April 4. A change has taken place in tho weather; and such a change!—rain, hail, and on the high lands a slight coating of snow, viliilo at the time 'of writing there is a strong S.W. wind, accompanied by heavy rain, causing tho prospects of tho farmers to bo the-reverse of bright, as there is much grain still in the slook, and some yet uncut. The. hand of Death has been busy in our midst of late, no less than three funerals having taken place within the past 10 days— those who were called av.-ay being Messrs T. Scott, jim., D. Watson, and 11. B. Auld. The monthly meeting of (he Waitahunn Farmers' Club was held on Monday, March 27, when, as usual, there -was a good attendance of members. Among other questions discussed was that of rating on unimproved 1 values. Mr Ale:;. Frazcr (president of the Tuapeka Faimcrs' Union) was present to advocate the principle. Ho said in this courso of his remarks that he cou'.d not understand how, intelligent farmers could stand by* and allow local bodies to put a tax on improvements. Mr Hose, an ex-president of the Vvailaluma Farmers' C!ub. was afraid that if the system were adopted there would not be aullicicnt revenue at the disposal of tho County Council to keep the roads in repair, and ho asked: Where is'the revenuo to come from? Tho rates would liavo to be increased, and wo should be worse oil' than ever. Eventually it was resolved that tho Waitahuna Farmers' Club approves of the system of rating, on unimproved values, mid those present signed a petition asking the chairman of tho County Council to luko n vote of tho ratepayers on the proposal. The monthly meeting of the Waitahuna School Committee, held oti Monday, was- attended by Messrs M'Caw. (chairman), Ellis, Fuldselh, York, and M'Ara (secretary). The teacher (Mr J. 11. Patrick) reported that the average attendance for tho quarter ending iilat March was its under:—Boys 41.2, girls J7.2; total, 88.4. The highest attendance on any hail-day during the quarter was:. Boys 42, girls 51; total, 91 The number on tho roll ut present is; lloys -11, girls 51; total, 05. Tlio secretary read a loller from Mr James Allen, ii.11.1v., containing a reply of the minuter of Lands to the application ol' the School Committee for the acquiring of sections 3, -1, and 5, block XX, for a playground for the ;k'hoo! children. Tho reply was lo the effect that the Minister proposed tu introduce special legislation during tho coming session to deal with the subject. 'the 'traffic 'superintendent wrote re the complaint about the train crruiijjenients in connection with tho school excurjion to Tnisri Mouth on February 17. j - was resolved lo close tho school for the Easter holidays on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, the school lo reopen on Wednesday, -Stk April,