WAIKAWA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2263, 15 July 1897, Page 29

WAIKAWA.

! July 12. — The present winter so far has been unequalled for mildness and an almost entire I absence of wind. Daffodils are well above the ground, while many early spring flowers are in full bloom. Pigeons are nesting, aud eggs are often found in those shot. The birds are plentiful/ but very poor. All the smaller fruits are budding freely owing to absence of irosts, and altogether the season has been unparalleled for geniality. Relief Works —The Government has provided work for the majority of the small settlers, together with a gang of unemployed from Invercargill. They are completing the formation of the Wyndham-Waikawa road, via Anderson's busb. This work will last well into summer, but when it is finished it is hard to tell what next will be done. Perhaps they may finish the Waikawa road connecting with the beach. I suppose £1200 is well within the estimated expenditure on this n?elesß thoroughfare already, aud it may be ' as well to finish the job and consider the folly of it after *rarJs. ( Wasted Money:— lt is stated in Holy Writ I that those who interfere in matters not concern- ' ing them are like one who takes a sow by the | ears ; but, despite the warning, I make bold to j assert that weie the public aware of the beastly waste — to use an Americanism — of public money j which has obtained here during the past decade a storm of indignation would arise. There has j been more money spout in «urveying, resurvey- , iug, grading of roads, expenses of inspectors (subordinate and head), valuators, rangers, and , what not, than would buy all the country within a radius of 50 miles of Waikawa out and out and leave a margin to pension the occupants thereof. If the same amount proportionately is spent in ■ larger districts it is not ta be wondered at that the national debt is appalling. It would not be so surprising were the outlay authorised pn works which in future may prove remunerative ; bufc the past has very palpably proven that this has never been considered. School.— There has been a gveat hubbub over the shifting of the Waikawa School to the township, but the report of Inspector Henry is unfavourable to both cliques interested. His idea is to bring the Niagara schoolroom a mile and a-half nearer the township, erect another building at James Templeton's corner, and do away with the Waikawa seminary altogether To this the Niagara folks object, aud have petitioned against it, so the matter is now as far from a settlement as ever. The inspectoi's report has been returned to him for further consideration. The protest against the school committee election mentioned iv my last letter vyas upheld by the board and the election declared invalid. There will therefore be a fresh election by-and-bye. The repdft of the school iuspector already referred to may tend to bluut the deeire of some to bother any further in the matter, it being of very little moment who are vested with the honour of sitting at the august assemblage convened to disburse the board's allowance for maintenance and control the other important matters which a school of its magnitude requires. Record Reign. —The 22nd ult. was observed very loyally. It was a close holiday, and a concert was given at Niagara, the proceeds of which weie j devoted no the cemetery funds. Rather a grue.some object; yet none the less needful. I The Timber Trade.— On a rough estimate, about 50,000 super feet of timber left the port last week, each of the mills— Mr Curries and the others— contributing equal shares.