KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 310, 5 July 1898, Page 3

KIHIKIHI.

School Committee.—The monthly meeting of the Kiliikihi School Committee was held in the school on Wednesday, June 29th. Present: Messrs Thomson, Ogle, Clark and Dilson.—The quarterly return of the school attendance to the end of June was received, and showed a considerable falling off in the average attendance of the pupils, which was chiefly owing to the epidemic of influenza.—A circular was received from Dr. Hoiking, the chairman of the Hamilton West School Committee, inviting the co-operation of this and other Waikato committees towards securing the services of Capt. Reiu, of Hamilton, as visiting military drill instructor to the schools of Waikato, and proposing that the Government be asked to make such drill compulsory, and to appoint Capt. He-id to the Waikato district.—lt was decided to consider the matter at a future meeting.—Several small accounts for cleaning and repairs, amounting to £1 6s, were passed for payment. Social.—A social dance was held in the Town Hall here on Thursday nicht last, with the object of raising funds towards improving the hall stage. The attendance was not very large ; but a very enjoyable dance was the result, which was kept up tiil somewhere after midnight. The Natives.—Many of the Maoris from the settlements in this neighbourhood have gone to other districts to earn a little money at gum digging and similar work. Owing to the extremely bad sea-' son lately experienced, many of the natives are in a very bad state for want of food ; it being their usual custom apparently to only plant sufficient grain, potatoes, etc., providing an average productive season is experienced ; and, as they rely largely on this for winter provisions, they are at present in extreme poverty.—(Own Correspondent).