RONGOMAI.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8128, 30 April 1906, Page 5

RONGOMAI.

(Special to Age). RONGOMAI, Saturday. The annual meeting for the election of a new School Committee was held, on Monday night last, in the school-room, when a full attendance of householders showed the keen interest that is taken in the school management. Jnjj presenting the annua) report and balance-sheet, the Chairman (Mr D. M. Pitcaithly) said that the householders were to be congratulated upon -the satisfactory and successful year just olosed. Successful, not only financially, as the balance-sheet showed, but also educationally. The attendance had been maintained throughout the year at the usual average, and the high per centage of 99 per cent of the children ' who passed the recent examination was highly satisfactory, and ic reflected great credit upon Miss McLachlan the school mistress, for produoing such a high standard of proficiency. Ihe balancu-sheet showed cash receipts, including balance over from prevoub year, to be £32 3s Id. Out of this was expended, in various improvements! to the school and ground, the sum of £24 15s Bd, leaving a balance of cash in hand of £7 7s s<i. The election of a new committee was then proceeded with, and out of eleven nominations, the following were elected:— Messrs W. B. Matheson, P. Lozed, W. vValden, J. Fafeita, J. Martin, W. Nagel and D. M. Pitcaithly, who was also re elected chairman for the sixth time in succession. It was deoHed at the meeting to drain off the surface water from the sohoolgrounds and to erect a 6ft fence around the boys' garden, to metal the pathways, and also to improve the main eatranoe to the school. The local authorities should give immediate attention to that primitive structure that acts as a footbridge over Matheson's Creek on the main Valley Road. As this ia crossed daily by the children attending school, there is the irisk that one of them may fall into the water beneath it. The danger should be promptly removed, which could be done at a very small cost by erecting a more suitable and safer bridge. I Mr J. H. Davenport, of Kaitawa, has just completed building a pretty little cottage for Mr Chas. Evans, of Rongomai. It is rumoured in the Valley that the new house will soon be occupied by a newly-niarned couple, who are not far to seek. - The weather recently has been very broken, but still not very bad until Wednesday night last, when howled and blew with hurricane force, and at intervals it was accompanied with rain. Most farmers here only visit the creamery with their milk every other day. The cows are going out fast, and naturally the milk supply is getting smaller. There is some talk here of obtaining subscriptions towards erecting* a public hall, as it is found that the school-house is not quite big enough to hold the large gatherings that attend the socials, etc., that are constantly being held. The settlers are to be congratulated upon this progressive spirit.