COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1160, 21 February 1874, Page 13

COUNTRY NEWS.

(from oub own corbespondents.)

CLINTON".

This township is now an. educational district, the Educational Board at its last meeting having granted an allowance for a teacher, and promised aid for the erection of a schoolhouse. The next step is to have a school committee duly appointed, in order that a temporary school-house may be procured, a teacher appointed, and everything connected with the formation of a school done in an orderly way. There are not a few in this neighbourhood who are delighted with the prospect of having a school-house on the township. The town sections are nearly all sold, and it is well known here that if there were only a good school there would soon be more children. In many ways a school here will prove a great boon ; it will, without doubt, be the mean of fostering settlement on the township. There is no probability of there being any delay or wrangling about the site, as that, we believe, is fixed to the satisfaction of everyone. It is seldom that the people of this district are favoured with such a treat as they received on Tuesday night from the Kennedy family. It appears we are indebted for this to the Rev. Mr Connor, who was intimately acquainted with Mr Kennedy in connection with Nicolson street XJ.P. Church, Edinburgh. Mr Kennedy stated at the close of his most enjoyable entertainment, that for "Auld Lang Syne," he would hand over the proceeds of the evening to their respected Minister. He said he understood there was a debt on the manse, and he would be glad if to his little contribution they would all add a little more, and the burden of debt would be very soon removed. Mr Connor rose and said, after the kindly way Mr Kennedy had spoken about himself and family he would b« failing in his duty if he did not propose a hearty vote of thanks to him and his family for their generosity and kindness on this occasion. This being warmly responded to, the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" closed the evening's entertainment. To all who have not heard "the auld Scotch sangs," as sang by Mr Kennedy and family, I would say, if you have the opportunity of hearing them, do not lose it. PORTOEELLO. The Portobello Road Board held its usual meeting on Saturday last—Mr M'Cartney in the chair — when the election of Mr Robert Kellar as a member of the Board was made, to fill the place of Mr Larnach. A letter from the engineer concerning Hooper's contract on the Sandymount road having been duly read and considered, it was resolved to remit the matter to Mr Aitchison and the engineer for final settlement. The engineer's report on the Arthur's Seat road was next taken into consideration, when it was resolved that the engineer be authorised to get the work done in accordance with his report. A letter was read from Mr James M'Cartney, agreeing to the deviation on Papanui road, and asking £15 as compensation for the same. The Board agreed to his terms. An account for law expenses incurred in the matter of Hooper's Inlet road was passed for payment. The Chairman of the Board was authorised to draw for necessary law expenses any money required for the future conduct of the pase — which closed the business. BLUESJKIN. The annual meeting for the election of a new School Committee for the current year was held in the school- room on the statutory day. The secretary's report was read and adopted, and the following gentlemen were appointed committee-men : — Messrs R. Sutherland, A Dumas, J. Stewart, A Wilson, W. Drysdale, E. Morris, and H. Clark. The picnic promised by Mr Pitt at the late examination to the children attending the school, took place a day or two before the re-assembling after the holidays. In number about 80, the children proceeded from the school- room to the main road, and were then conveyed to Warrington in drays kindly lent for the occasion by many of the settlers about here. On arriving on the ground they •were liberally provided by Mr and Mrs Pitt with tea, sandwiches, cakes, &c. Afterwards, running and leaping games were got up, which caused greatamusement, and money prizes were awarded to the most successful competitors. The children, accompanied by their teachers, Mr Porteous, Miss Sinclair, and some of the Committee, subsequently strolled down to the beach, where they spent an hour or two pleasantly gathering i shells and disporting themselves on the sands. On returning, and before leaving for home, they were again provided with tea and the necessary etceteras. Mr and Mrs Pitt were thanked by Mr Dumas, in the name of the Committee, for providing the children with such a treat, and although the day was a little showery, it did not damp the spirits of the youngsters, who thoroughly enjoyed themselves, aud sang the National Anthem, under the leadership of Mr A. Wilßon, before starting back again. A meeting of the School Committee was held a short time back, for the purpose of taking into consideration the fee system. The fees charged are — 5s per quarter for reading ; 7s 6d for reading, writing, and arithmetic ; and with grammar and geography, the fee is 10a per quarter. After a full discussion, it was resolved that the rate should be a uniform one for all children learning the ordinary branches of an English course — seeing that at present reading, writing, and arithmetic are taught simultaneously from the outset,

For a district such as this, the Committee were of opinion that the uniform rate should not exceed 6s or 6s 6d per quarter.

LAWRENCE.

The sale by auction of land in Glenkenich district took place here on February 10th, and drew together a large attendance. Of the 4000 acres put up for sale, about 3400 acres were sold. Captain M'Kenzie purchased upwards of 2000 acres, at an average price of nearly 30s per acre. There is an urgent desire to acquire land at present, and numbers are waiting patiently to get a piece in the particular district where each may uside.

A great improvement in the Beaumont Road, at the foot of this township, has been made by the same being formed in a straighter shape. There is no doubt the site of the old road will be used in mining as soon as the new one is finished.

Great additions have been made to the Good Templar Lodge here, and there are at present between 60 and 70 on the list. We have had scorching weather in the day-time and sultry weather m the evening for the last week, but it has now changed, and we have been visited with thunder storms and fierce winds, as also heavy falls of rain at intervals.

The grasshoppers seem to infest the whole district, and much damage has been caused by their visit. Some gardeners have a large quantity of fowls, which are turned out at liberty, and seem to enjoy their feast of the nimble grasshoppers. CLYDE. We have had our annual races and earthquake, neither of which caused any great commotion. The former were not a success — the attendance the smallest ever known ; and the same may be said, of the horses, for, with the exception of one or two, they were not what could be called first- class hacks. This may in some manner account for the paucity of spectators. On Monday we had a good deal of thunder and lightning, the thermometer standing at 92 in the shade. At Blacks a valuable mare was struck by lightning and killed. To-day !it is quite cold, and the temperature has fallen to about 60. These sudden changes ! are not conducive to health. Many persons are ailing. A little rain has fallen, which has proved very acceptable. The late parching weather began to tell on the fruit gardens, and in some instances the trees had the appearance as though they had been scorched. OREPUKI. After a long continuance of very dry and hot weather, we have at last some rain, although it does not give much appearance of continuing. On Sunday, Ist February, a very severe shock of earthquake was felt here about 12.30 p.m. We were at the time listening to the Rev. Mr Ross, from Riverton, who held divine service in the schoolhouse, and afterwards administered the Sacrament. Another shock, felt severer in some places than others, occurred on the Bfch mat, about 8.30. Several houses received a good shaking. Such oppressive heat has ! never before been felt here. Mr Warden Wood has just left us. The | Court business was not so extensive as usual, there being only one or two cases as to right of water. Mr Wood, however, informed us j of a very important affair, viz., that it is the j intention of the Government to leave us without police protection. This will be a great loss ; not that we actually are in need of a constable, but his presence may tend to check any little insubordination that may arise. Besides, we have a large and increasi ii Q g population, and cannot say when we I might actually require a constable. Mr Beattie, our present constable, has won the respect and esteem of all, and I am sure his presence will be very much missed. He has ■ a quantity of little odds and ends to do, such as giving out and renewing miners' rights, &c. , and it is not every one who would be so forbearing and gentlemanly as he appears to be. A petition to His Honour the Superintendent is iv course of signature, and will be forwarded immediately. The Rev. Mr Ross, assisted by two or three gentlemen, and in the presence of some members of the -School Committee and . parents, held an examination of the children j attending the District School here on Mon- { day, 3rd instant. It lasted all day. At its conclusion Mr Ross addressed the cbildren in a few appropriate remarks, urging on them the necessity of doing all in their power to try to improve, and please the teacher, Mr i Andrews, who, he was sure by what he had seen, had their interest at heart. The prizes will be distributed on Friday next. This examination should have taken place at Christmas, but in consequence of the people being busy washing up, and examiners not being able to attend, it was postponed.

We have no news yet of pur long promised "whale boat," which would be a great acquisition. The tramway appears also to be & dead letter.

Our volunteers are progressing famously under the able instruction of Mr Escott ; we are in hopes shortly of receiving our arms and accoutrements, &c. Mr H. Hirst's hand, which was severely injured by thu bursting of a gun while shooting at a wild bull, is fast approaching recovery. __

The Register says : — "A recent estimation made as to the proportion between public-houses and population in Greymouth gives one hotel for each fifty-nine persons — men, women, and children — or more than three times the number of public-houses, in proportion to population, that exist in Melbourne. A similar disproportion of publichouses could be shown an Westport."