PORTOBELLO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1540, 14 May 1881, Page 18

PORTOBELLO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

May 9th. What a blessing it is that the weather is so changeable, so that I can always make a start with my letter in stating something fresh. That it has been changeable this last week will be nothing new to most people. This morning broke with a strong north-west wind, with heavy rain. At present it is calm, and sun strong, and warm as midsummer. The Good Templars appear to be gaining strength since they commenced to hold their meetings here. Stray members are returning, and new ones are being added to their number at every meeting. For the first time in Portobello the Chinamen have succeeded in establishing themselves here. A number of them are being employed in clearing buah on the Native reserve, Cape Saunders. The promoters of the new school in Hooper's Inlet held a meeting last Saturday, when the Committee submitted their report of what they had done in the matter since being appointed. Their action was approved of by the settlers present. A plan of the school, obtained from the architect of the Education Board, was laid before the meeting, together with an estimate of the cost. The size is to be 24 x2O x 12 feet. After consideration of ways and means, it was unanimously agreed to proceed with the erection of the building according to the plan received, and a start to be made at once.