OEMONDVILLE-MAEOTTUKU.

Waipawa Mail, Volume X, Issue 1079, 30 April 1887, Page 4

OEMONDVILLE-MAEOTTUKU.

(OWN CORE SPONDENT.) I notice, that a casual correspondent to the Mail has either purposely or unwittingly, misled you about the large gathering of householders at the election of our school committee, There can be no doubt, that our school, owing to the efficient teaching of Miss Reid, ranks among the foremost of country schools in this province and that we are justly proud of both her and the pupils on account of it ; but the interest evinced at the said election, had very little to do with educational matters. A stranger, not initiated in the little “by-play” would no doubt have been favorably impressed in the direction indicated, but the gathering of young and old, married and single was simply due to a general desire for seeing and hearing “ the fun” which was expected to come off between two factions in our community, which have been at daggers drawn ever since the last local opinion, viz., the Rechabiles and anti-fiechabites but which on this occasion had assumed the tint of “ religious” and “secular.” The casus belli tin's time was an alleged breach of etiquette in obtaining the use of the school room for religious purposes, while the church is being built. Ido not assert that the allegations were proved correct or, if proved, Whether there was sufficient cause for a grievance ; but I know this, and it is a pity, that such party feelings should give the key-note to a school committee election. I think, further, that very grave reasons should exist before a body of men in a young settlement should feel themselves justified in refusing the use of a public building like the schoolhouse for divine services.

The result of the poll placed the victory in the hands of the so-called “ secular party,” a lesult which is perhaps more due to the liberal right and system of voting at school committee elections than a general feeling among the bona file settlers. They thus gained the upper hand through what I consider a defective Act of Pailiament. Single men, perchance occupying a whare for a month or two at the lime of the election should have no light to vote in matters of importance only to parents and bona fide settlers. Having got the upper hand it is to be hoped they will use their power free from rabid party feelings. At Ormondville the householders placed Mr O’Leary at head of the poll by giving him not less than 11 plumpers. Last year Mr O’Leary received only 1 vote, presumedly because he did not shew himself very anxious to come on the committee. It was different this year. Mr O’Leary had only to say. that he wished to get a seat and the thing was a foregone conclusion.

When the result had been declared he gave a very amusing speech, in which he congratulated the electors on having placed such an able person at the head of the poll ; he had had a very small opinion of himself previous to the election, but now he was almost convinced there was something in him after all, and he hoped that the householders and parents would not be disappointed. While speaking of matters educational I may as well mention that our Ormondville Library committee had a meeting the other day, when ways and means were discussed in order to defray the expenses of painting the reading room. It was decided to have a concert for that purpose. Tiie date of the event was first fixed for

the sth May, but afterwards indefinitely postponed to give more ample time for a good programme. It will, however, take place some time in May. A list of new books from Mr Craig was laid before the committee and a number of books picked out for the shelves of our gradually increasing library. Mr C. Leach has courteously placed for my inspection the plans and specifications of the new hotels shortly to be erected at Ormondville and Makotuku. The contract of building them has been secured by Mr C. Crocker, a builder favorably known in Auckland. The two hotels are to be exactly alike, so one description will suffice for the two. The building will cover an area of 66ft x 55ft, and consist of a ground-floor and an upper storey. On the ground-floor we have the space occupied by the following rooms : Diningroom, 17 x 20; Billiard-room 17 x 24 ; kiteken, 17 x 17; four handy situated parlors, and a commodious bar. Access to these rooms is obtained by two entrances leading into two spacious halls, joining each other at right angles. Besides what is mentioned above, a scullery, pantry and lobby, meat safes, and bathrooms are to be built at suitable places. A comfortable staircase leads up to the second floor with its suite of nine lofty bedrooms. A handsome front with a verandah running along part of the building completes the description of structures, which will not only give .a long wanted accommodation for travellers but also be ornaments both to Ormondville and Makotuku. I may state that the Makotuku hotel will have no billiard-room. In its place will be a larger dining room and an extra large parlor. Both hotels are supposed to be finished by the Ist of July. I understand that the rough timber, about 60,000 ft, will be supplied by Messrs Lycett and Cross (Makotuku), and the dressed timber, about 40,000, by Messrs Richter, Nannestad and Co (Tainaki Mills). Messrs Cooper and Finch, of Napier, are the architects.