IDA VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 25

IDA VALLEY.

July I.— We are enjoying an exceptionally mild winter so far, no snow having fallen on any of the low-lying lauds, although the hills have thair usual winter mantle. Stock in most cases are looking well consequent upon the mild winter. Poisoning is general, and as the rabbits are pretty numerous the results are satisfactory, the little rodents eating the poisoned grain with avidity. Ploughing has been pushed ahead, the areabeiDg larger than usual for the winter teason. ■

Petition. — A petition signed by over 20 persons has been forwarded to the Government through our member, the Hon. Mr Lirnacb, praying 1 that Run 281, part of Ida Valley station, and containing about 11,800 acres, be cut up for settlement at the expiry of the present lease, which falls in in February uext. If this land is obtained and surveyed into fair-sized blocks, say of about 20JO acres each, judging by the cry for land in the district there should be an average of about 30 applicants for every section offered, so that other runs must be similarly dealt with to satisfy the land hunger.

Quadrille -The local quadrille meeting is going ahead with bumper houjos every Friday evening, mo&t of the young folk in the valley puting in an appearauce. Mr Robert Love is supplying the music and Mr John Dundas3 is acting as M.O.

Blacks School Committee Election.— The elect'on for a school committee in the Blacks district has passed by again. The lirst wa- declared irregular by the chairman of the meeting of householders, but, strange to say, five out of the seven previously elected were returned again. Still threats are being made by a few who had not the pluck to stand their chance at the poll to again upset the election. Even though the election' is declared void, which is not likely to eventuate, I fail to nee where the advantage will be to the dissatisfied clique. Why did they not bring their C4iidid*ture forward at the recent election in place of obstructing the meeting in every possible way, and then leaving the room threatening to do their utmost to upiet the election? Their object can be nothing else than to try and force the Education Board into placing them at the bead of matters on the school committee even against the wish of a large majority of the ho iseholders. The whole trouble has been caused by a want of knowledge at the annual election, and a lesson has been taught the Blacks folks which will make them take greater precautions in the selection of j a chairman at the next annual meeting of house- I holders. The gentleman placed in the chair at the annual election lives many mile 3 out of the Backs School district, and h« was not conversant with the rules of electing school committees, as he declared the highest seven duly elected, knowing perfectly well the occupation and place of abode of every voter. If conversant; with the rules, why did he not check the illegal voters, and thus save all this trouble ? In your issue of June 25 i&a report by your Ophir correspondent of the above election. I have no desire to criticise a fellow-correspondent's letters, but I may siy that much indignation is felt in the Blacks district over this report, which seems to me, having been present at trie meeting-, to be the utterances of a defeated party who cannot take a btating in a manly way, and who for reasons of his own gives an incorrect account of propositions put to the meeting.