PUERUA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1682, 16 February 1884, Page 12

PUERUA.

(FROM OUR OWK COKRKSPONDBNT.) February 11. Ixtiioductohy.— It has been a matter of Burprise thi3 nunber of years that thia di-iirjot, being neariy KO years settled upon, should not have a correspondent in yonr columns, though others of st few years' standing can bO'»st of one. I know we have planty among us qualified to undertake the duties, and th's, cogelher with the faot thaC the Witness i? read in every co ise ia the district, mukes bU';h a statu of allaiis incomprehensible I b?lioie thit tho piitioipil reason is that people are afraid of giving offeuoo in their comments oo pa-siug events. But J con-ider tho best way for persons writing to a newspaper is to bear in mind a heading that used to sppear on •' Graham's Review," " I lift my pan without fear or favour, giving information t(f many, and offeu-o to none."

FDUCtTiOiAii.— The annual meeting of householders took place at the usual time, when the following were elected the Suhr.ol Ccmunttee for the ensuing jear :—: — Messrs James Johnston, John Johnston, A. Simpson, John Watt, 1). M'JLaren, and W. M'AliUan. The Chairman read the tiuancial statement, thowing a balance in hund of £39 Us.

School Examination. — Tho annual eximiisation of the suhool took piau; two weeks ago, hut as 1 have not at hand a copy of the i tandards, I raanot give tho full particulars. In Standard VI all passed, and the pasßesiu the who'c scho.'l wire 76 per cent?.- a very satisfactory result, taking all things inco consideration. The exauiiuation was conducted by Inspector Goyen. Tbmperakce —The Good Templar Lodge and the Blue liibbou Army are still alive, although they are not making much increase in their membership. Tha Lodge lequires waktning up a little. The members should take a little more mterebt in it. Ie is to be resetted for the sako of the Lodge thit the late W.C.T., Mr John M. Alercer, taw lit to sever his connection with it, as he unices the second W C.T that has loft tho Lodge, tho previous one removing to another part of the country. But if the membera will on'y take more interest in it, and attend the meetings regularly, thera is not the slightest doubt of its buccess.

Licensikg Commhtiib.— The elcc'ian of tho LisuiEing Committee for the >cnr t> o't i l;wo Jost. wv.de, wlioa tho following go* t ciruH w ore oK ot' ii : M. a : m Roberß Ohristiß, \vil iain .Mm ton, A. ."-sdiu.oh, T l\ Wilson, A. 41. M'Viuar.