HAMPDEN.

Waipawa Mail, Volume IX, Issue 881, 16 January 1886, Page 2

HAMPDEN.

[from our own correspondent.]

Thursday morning set in dull and heavy, with every indication of the long-looked for rain. About 9 a.m. it commeuced steadily, and so continued for two or three hours ; hut, alas, it has gone again from my gaze like a beautiful dream. The fires are still alight, and are likely to continue so till we have a thorough downpour. I have learned to-day that tlie fire from this place has gone right through the green bush on to the Messrs Holden's propeity. A notice in sever.d of your contemporaries exaggerated accounts of the damage or likely damage to property in this district. I may iuform you, sir, that we have not suffered nearly so severely as has been stated, —Mr Rath bone has not lost anything like six miles of fencing, nor was the township at an}' time in danger ; but the oid saying still holds true, that one must travel to learn news. Ido not intend to describe the effect the fire has had on tlie residents, as your occasional can warm to the subject in far more glowing terms than I could possibly accomplish. Generalities and not specialities are in}' forte.

The Domain Board held its annu d meeting last Monday evening. The members present were Messrs. J. J. Buchanan (chairman), Matthews, J. Ingram, M. Vestv, and G. Parkinson. A fair sprinkling of the settlers put in an appearance, as it was more than an ordinary meeting ; inasmuch, that tlie Board were to decide as to the number of cattle each settler was to graze on the reserve. A considerable amount of good-natured chaff was indulged in during the proceedings ; but taken as a whole, I think the Board came out of the ordeal with flying colors. Mr Buchanan was elected Chairman and Treasurer for tlie ensuing twelve months, and Mr George Parkinson jun., was appointed ranger at a salary of £7 per annum. The arrangement arrived at was that each settler living within the township boundary be allowed to run one beast free and another on the payment of 10s per annum. I am perfectly satis fied that the people will find this a benefit instead of a hardship. Of course, all reforms have to withstand opposition, and this is no exception to the general rule. The School Committee met on Thursday evening. All the members were present. Several letters from the Education Board were read, amongst them being an intimation that Messrs. Ormond, Locke, and Russell retire from the Education Board next March through effluxion of time, but were eligible for re-election, the general opinion seemed to be in favor of those gentlemen again coming forward.