The Proposed Education Boards.—

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 2427, 12 July 1876, Page 2

The Proposed Education Boards. —

According to tho Education Boards Bill introduced, the New Plymouth District will have five members in its Board. The town returning two, and the country districts three. The Patea District will also return five members. Annual Meeting of Agricultural Society. — The annual meeting of the Taranaki Agricultural Society will be held at the Omata Inn, this evening, at 7 o'clock. We are glad to hear that there is likely to be a large muster, as there is to bo an election of three committee-men. Compulsory Education. — A Bill hna recently been introduced into the House, nud one of its provisions is, the compulsory education of all children between the ages of seven and fifteen years. Parents or guardians neglecting to send their children will lie liable to ii fine of ss. for a first offence, and £1 for every succeeding offence, or in default imprisonment for seven days. Accident to Mr. J. R. Laavson.— We regret to hear that Mr. J. R. Lawson, of Manutahi, met with n very painful accident the other day. It appears that whilst he was trying to pull away the bough of a tree tbnt overlapped another, it fell down on his head, making a vasty scalp wound Dr. O'Carroll was sent for, who at once attended and did what he could to relieve the sufferer, who, we are glad to hear, is progressing as favorably as could be expected. Petition vor Compensation. — We mentioned in our last that his Houor the Superintendent had presented a petition to the House from nineteen settlers of New Plymouth, praying for a quarter of an acre of town land in New Plymouth, ns was promised them beforo leaving England, or compensation for the same. The following are the names of the petitioners: — Josias noskiu, Jonathan Pearn, John Crocker, William Henwood, Richard Pratt, John Pepperell, Henry Prett, John Prett, Henrj' Gilbert, Thomas Harrison. John French, Henry Faul, William Lye, William Marshall, John James, Puul Inch, James Shaw, Samuel Curtis. Sir George Grey's Bully. — Amongst the passengers who landed from the steamer yesterday, was Mr. W. L. Reee, M.H.R., of Auckland. The N.Z. Times says— " Mr. Rees, finding that more important business than the discharge of his legislative duties requires his presence in Auckland, has paired with Mr. Bunny for one month, in order that he may leave Wellington for the period mentioned." Mr. Rees has evidently proved a failure in the House, for his party it seems can well dispense with his services for a month. Perhaps they wished to get rid of him whilst the statement was being discussed, fearing an exhibition of his financial ignornnce, which he has already exposed iv the pamphlet he published. Fiub AT Inglewood.— Mr. G. D. Hatumerton, Coroner, held an inquest on a Government cottnge, at Inglewood, lately burned down at Moa Block, on the Mountaiu Road. Constable Tapp was sent from town to get a jury together, of which Mr. William Carter wns made foreman. A verdict of accidental fire was returned. The cottage was burned on Thursday last about one o'clock in the day, and although neighbours were almost within cooey, the cottnge was burned down before assistance could be obtained. Tho cottage cost about, £3o, anc? had a wooden chimney, which having caught fire at the bottom, the flames soon spread. Stack of Hay Burnt. — About halfpast four o'clock on Monday evening a hay stack belonging to Mr. A. J. Hoskiu,, of Bell Block, was discovered to be on fire. Mr. Hoskin himself happened to be away from home at the time. A crowd of willing workers soon assembled, and nil of the stack that could be got at was scattered to prevent its making a large volume of flame. A stack of straw, only a few feet removed from the burning hay stack, was saved by means of blankets and a plentiful supply of water. Fears were at one time entertained that tho house, which was only a few yards distant, would catch fire. Fortunately there was no breeze blowing, and after a time all danger was over. Damage done is said to bo about £30. Tho fuo is believed to have beeu purely accidental. Government Land Sale. — At the Courtbouse at noou on Saturday, tho Waste Lands Commissioner (Mr. C. D. Whitcombe), offered for sale by auction, for cash, thirty-nino sections of rural land situated near the site of tho village on the Waipuku River, on tho Mountain Road. Tho Commissioner read tho telegram from tho Secretary for Crown Lands, and explained it fully to those present, the result of which was, there wua not a single bid. Four deferred payment sections, for which more than one application had been made the previous Saturday, were put up and spiritedly competed for. The result was that three were knocked down to B. Do Ferrers— section 187 for £2 (Is , section 188 for £1 10s., and section 180 for £2 Gs. Section 11K1 was knocked down to L. Fitshur, at ill Bs. Tho upset price in each case was £1 Gs,