ST. LEONARDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 31

ST. LEONARDS.

Mat 4.— lt is positively stated that the new rail- 1 way station in lieu of the two " apologies " at pre- • sent situated at Burkes and St. Leonards will not be built, at all events for the present ; but it is hard to believe this until a ladies' waiting room ' for the accommodation of the hundreds of people who visit us during the summer months is erected at each station. A sew Government would certainly never allow an important 'station like Burkes to remain in it* present condition. . Escape of a Former Resident from Seacliff. -The laßt week- has been full of incident' . for the residents of .this locality, if they only knew it — what with railway incidents, school committee elections, rumours of coming general elections, <fee. Not tbe least exciting item of news was the rumour which quicklj spread that a former resident, who, having been suspected of homicidal tendencies, was removed -to Seacliff, had escaped from that asylum. It is needless to say that some',- anxiety prevails on tbe subject, especially intte minds of those against whom the. unhappy man had been heard to issue threats. The police, however, are doing what is necessary, . and ft is devoutly to be hoped that tbe danger to the community of a madman alleged ta be thirsting for the blood of his innocent fellow-creatures m*y .be removed, «nd, when caught, taken care of incident to the Express -On Monday last those good folk to whom the daily pas»ing through . of tbe northern express is an event of considerable moment were surprised and interested to notice tbe % adual slowing and ultimate stoppages of the j 11 i:l»i;k train from Dituedin just on the south ■ Bid-, f the St. Leonards platform. The cstus-e was Boon 'viiUnt. The keen eye of the driver had detected a heifer (the property of one of our residents), with a strong taste for bucolics, which had wandered to tbr pleasant and rich pis'.ures of the railway tidings, and when overtaken by the expresit had apparently become dizzy on the bridge — the authorities having omitted to place a plank for its delectation. The question as to tow the cow or calf came on' tin line Is t-olyed by the evident subtraction of certain portion? of the fencing which some chilly resident had found it convenient to appropriate during tbe previous 'night A lesion for those concerned is to insist on tbe prompt removal of the station to its proper position. What an outcry there would have been against ttiose who clamour for the retention of , tbe present accommodation had the~tvain been wrecked ; whereas it is 'confidently stated that by this time, h d it not been for the opposition of people who object ti> five minutes' walk, the station would ere this have been erected, and no cow or other horned beast would have been on tbe line. The train was detained Beveral minutes while the animal'was removed from the bridga ~ School Committee Election.— lt i« pleasant to reord an increasing interest in the affairs of. the school on the part of those who should from their superior position in society contribute their quota.of work for the public wi*al, and it may not be out of place to state that Messrs Bamfield, Fulton, and Millar 'epljtced three of the' old committe«men at the recent election who hud rendered good service during the past year. Mr P. Griffen also accepted a nomination in room of his brother, Mr L. Griffen, who did »ot seek reelection, and Mr Laing relieved Mr D'onUn. A hearty vote of thanks to the master (Mr outhwick) and the mistress (Miss Downea) who form the teaching staff, wa« carried unanimously

* OTAKOU. May 2.— The threateied deadlock between tbe Education Board and the School Committee was settled, by tbe committee accepting one of tbe two candidates selected by the board .when they i found they' could not get the present temporary teacber (Mjr Heudry) appointed permanently to the position. Mr Hardy (of Incholme School), who is tlie successful, candidate, takes charge of th* school at the beginning of next month. Mr HeDdry, durijog his short term of office, has been courteous and obliging to all, and there is no doubt many will feel sorry he has not been permanently appointed to. the school. At tbe meeting of householders held to elect a school committee for the ensuing year, Mr Bishop was voted to the chair, "and the following were elected: -Messrs T. Wilson, Ryan, Glass, Biin, Bi»hop, G»rr, and Walsgott-. The last named tied with Mr Sheppard (chairman of the late committee), and as the chairman of the meeting declined giving his casting vote. Mr Sheppard withdrew his name, and Mr Walsgott was duly elected.— At tbe Taiaroa' Heads School Messrs Brougbton, Burns, Jones, Macdonald, and Kavetai were elected, and at the first meeting of the committee Mr Broughton was appointed chairin" n and Mr Jones (re-elected) secretary. Concert. — A concert was held at the hall on Friday evening, May 1, for the purpose of raising funds to pay for the cleaning out of the Wesleyan. Church. In spite of the rough weathev, a good number of people assembled. The local musical tal<-nt was well represented, and I hear the affair passed off successfully. And I have no doubt the cleaner of the church smiled sweetly as he walked home with the colonial roberts, collected for the evening's entertainment, musically jin ling in his pocket.' Ecclesiastical — Mr Buckingham, the new Wesleyan home missionary, has commenced his duties, and as he' is a strong, muscular-looking young man he should be able to keep his flock in good order. ValedictJobT —Mr Argue, who for many years has been a settler at the Kaik has removed to his new home near Goodwood. Mr Argue has had more than aslnve of sickness and trouble, and it is to be hoped that his removal may prove beneficial to the health of hi? family. His eldest son in at the present tun<> an inmate of 'the Dunedin Hospital, and I am s.ure all his late neighbours heartily sympathise with Mr Argue and his family in their trouble.