WANGANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1385, 10 September 1887, Page 4

WANGANUI.

(From our own Correspondent )

The days are beautifully fine and clear, ♦he mornings frosty, and settlers are rejoicing at the abundance of feed for stock. About a week ago we had heavy rain, accompanied by snow and hail, and in some of the highest portions of the district, a slight coating of snow remained on the ground for a few hours. Politics are still receiving a very large share of public attention, and both our local candidates are personally canvassing for support. An unusually large amount of interest is being taken here in the forthcoming contest, and all those who are entitled to have a vote are urgently requested to have their names at once placed on the roll. Public opinion appears to be divided between the candidates ; and, according to what one hears, it will be a toss up who gets in.— While talking of politic*, I am reminded that a few days ago at New Plymouth* Mr EdYftrg. Metcalt Smith, a seeker after' political honours, was summoned before the R.M. and ordered to pay 15s.a month to reduce a sfcull debt, amounting to £5 Is6dj in def anlt to be imprisoned for six days. This same Mr Smith claims to be the discoverer of the qualities of the Taranaki ironsand, and is now employed as a corporation labourer and lamplighter. I do not Wonder at his trying to find more congenial employment, as 200 guineas per annum and a dry coat is preferable to cleaning corporation drains at a few shillings a day. The Wanganui River Steam Navigation Company is to be wound up, and this service, from which a lot was expected in the way of opening upland for settlement, is to be no more: The service could be made to pay well enough if a suitable vessel-could be obtained, and the snags cleared from the river. As it is, our boat steams ten miles an hour, and the rapids in places, run at the .ratjßci^tweJve, consequently, very great difficulty has been experienced in getting the Tuhua to climb up the water-course.__ The old block house, which caused such a lot of discussion in the press and at public meeting's, has at last been pulled down, and the material submitted to auction, where it found ready purchasers. The old building was in a sad state, and its 'demolition did not come any too soon.

The. Wanganui Education Board is about to do away with truant inspectors. They will try to induce the children to attend school more regularly by offering nieclals and certificates. The idea is a Telry good one, and the special committee appointed to report on the matter recommends that silver medals and certificates be issued on the -following basis :— A firstclass medal and certificate to every scholar who has been present on each occasion the -school has been open, both morning and afternoon, during the year ; a second-class medal and certificate to every scholar who has not been absent mere than five times during the same period ; and a third-class certificate to any scholar who has not been absent twenty times during the year. Buth certificates and medals are to be locally made, and specimen's are to be sent to each district, so that the children may see them, and at once start on the good attendance system. Oar local tradespeople are very much annoyed at the owners of business premises leasing them to Chinese in order that the Celestials may be able to compete with the European tradesmen. A few weeks ago a party of Chinese of the name of Wong Poy Bros, opened a grocery and fancy goods store, and commenced selling their wares for cash, and much below the rates charged by our local storekeepers. This, it is needless to say, has given rise to mnch discontent, as the Chinese are paid cash and the Europeans have to book and wait for their money. The climax was reached the other day, when the storekeepers joined together and "boycotted" a wholesale firm for supplying the "chinkies" with goods. Year by year rabbits are getting more numerous in the Manawatu district. They are also gradually .finding their way along the coast. The Rabbit Extermination Society is doing good work in the way of eradicating the pest, and offers 3d per skin to all who are willing to go to the trouble of obtaining them.