WAIKAIA.

Southland Times, Issue 3295, 11 January 1879, Page 3

WAIKAIA.

Writing on the Bth inst., our correspondent says: — At Mr Alexander Matthew's Hotel, 'on the 2nd inst., Mr Bastings addressed the electors. There was a large attendance, and Mr J. H. Davidson was voted- to the chair.-. -The hon. gentleman gave a resume of the part he took in the last session, and on a question- put to him, relative to the survey of tb"" l "rad- to be thrown open under the Utago and Southland Education Keserves Leasing Act, he stated that there was a -great scarcity of -surveyors, and that the Government had sent to "Victoria to endeavor to t get some. N6 V time would be lost in getting 1 the survey done. His opinion was asked about the Chinese question, and he said it was a difficult thing to solve,. So~lqng,^ however, as the - Chinese did not increase ' beyond a fair rate, to the European it would not matter so much, and 1 we could not stop their coming and going. A unanimous vote of confidence was passed, and with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting ended. • . . There are three " wants" that require to be met here. 1. A schoolmaster. — Since the late schoolmaster, Mr Milne, was appointed to the Gore School • the^ young ideas have been allowed to run to" waste. Whether it is the. fault of the local committee or School Board I do not know ; at all events it is as it ought not to be. Surely a teacher -(temporary) could be got until a duly qualified master was appointed. 2. A justice of the peace. — The nearest J.P. is about 12 miles from here, and if wanted, it is ten chanced to one if he would be at home. This is a very urgent want, as our E.M. (w.ho is also coroner) is away- on his official -tour the greater part of the month. 3. A deputy-coroner. — In cases of fatal accidents or sudden death great inconvenience would be occasionedby the absence of the coroner, which would necessitate sending, say 100 milesj-forone. There ought to be, therefore, a deputy appointed. I hope by mentioning the above that it will have good; effect. The Christmas and New Year holidays passed off well and without disturbance, the sergeant of police not having been required in the slightest. This speaks well for the district. By this time, I presume the ford across the Mataura has been done, the Southland County Council having voted £50 for improving same. The contractor, Mr Fraser, has been doing his best to finish it as early as possible. If it stands the freshes, it will be a boon to all travellers. The hot winds are drying up everything. The heat in "the shade has been 91, in the sun 105