THE PROPOSED KURIPUNI SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 202, 4 July 1879, Page 2

THE PROPOSED KURIPUNI SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Sir—l have read with regret several articles in the Grcytown and your paper svvevso to the proposed Kuripuui' school district. lam sorry to hold a different opinion to the press, as it is supposed to represent public opinion, but in tin's matter I think both articles to which I have referred have been written without any knowledge whatever of the subject, It is not generally known tliat there are something like one hundred children of school atre in the proposed district, many of those live at too a distance to attend the Borough school, and others are too young or delicate to tramp down a mile or more of muddy road, and remain the whole day with wet feet, from which they will probably feel the effects during their whole lives. Whereas it is even admitted by the Education Board that it will, at no distant date, become necessary to have a school in that locality, The objeot now of the residents is to obtain a separate district from Mastorton, to elect a committee in January next, and have a school built'before the winter; this, I feel satisfied, the Board will assist them in, to the utmost of their ability. With regard to the situation of the land, it was selected at a public meeting from about one hundred sections; at the same time I; will not object to it being exchanged for one nearer the town, providing it is the unanimous wish of the residents. I don't think, however, that there will be any advantage in having the buildin" nearer the present school, as the population is likely to oxtend much further out on the plain than it is at present, .

It has been mentioned in print that the land is to be given on condition that a, school be erected immediately; this is not the case ; on transferring the property I shall make it distinctly understood that a school shall be built thereon when it appears desirablo to do so, and means are available for the purpose, but will attach no conditions whatever, as I don't consider the Board are in a position to agree to them. In conclusion, I would remind reporters that the Kuripuni people have feelings, and these feelings arc not to bo trilled with, Reporters beware!—l am., etc., Donald Donald. Solway, July Ist, 1879.

TO EUROPE IN TWELVE HOURS. ..-. .. « r- ■ Sir—An ingenious Mastertonian has made a grand discovery—a discovery which will lick ourcuusins the Yankees into a cocked hat, and make Masterton one of the world's' great wonders. It is a contrivance winch .will enable men to reach Europe in (now keep calm and don't spring from your seats) twelve hours. When this machine is,perfected travellers will start from the Club Hotel at 8 a.m. and will arrivo in London ai 8 p.m./ weather permitting, on the same day. The idea is simply this: A large baloon it to be constructed containing an airtight room in the car, with tiie chemical appliances for manufacturing air. JS T ow it is generally understood that the'earth, is surrounded by forty miles of atmosphere, the baloon will therefore (after the passcn-". gere are seated in the airtight room) ■as-, cend forty miles and a-half, and will remain steady until the earth with its accompanying atmosphere revolves a half turn, which will bring Europe beneath the machine; it will then descend in Hyde Park, where coaches will be provided to convey passengers to their respective destinations. The first baloon is expected to start on the 2nd January, 1879. Single fares, £5; return, £7 10s, but no responsibility incurred, These rates are iixed in order to defy competition,—l am, etc., Bahbicaxe.

ALFREDTON BABIES. Sik—Hero is itn interesting- but sad tale. Perhaps a few of your readers are aware of the extraordinary fertility of life and clime in Alfred ton towards the production of babies. Here, sir, you literally see a nest of babies in one house, three and four seemingly all of the same age and size, look around and you sec last year's birds crawling about in'all directions, and so on through the preceding stages up to manhood. We have long since ceased to wonder at three babies coming in two years, and yet these wonderful, fond, loving, and anxious mothers, who arc at their wits' end to provide [or their numerous households, arc to bo interfered with, disturbed, and sat upon by an im-

periousGovernment and unthinki;':; politicians in thus enforcing their oli.u.aous taxes and rates on such valuable Yorkers of society. This is veritably strangling the geese that lay the golden egg;;, while driving their more obdurate and less hopeful ganders with disgust far fro.m the scenes of their once happy domestic surroundings over the bar of intoxicating liquors,

Each of these dear creatures, if left alone to work out their own peaceful ends, would do more to subdue the rabbits than all the advocates of dogs, cats, and weasels, —lam., etc., A ItaiIDEXT.