WAITAHUNA,

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 21, 16 September 1887, Page 19

WAITAHUNA,

(From an occasional Correspondent.) Me. James Bennkt is now coming forward to contest the election with Mr. J. 0. Brown, and an opportunity is afforded us of testing his opinions ere giviug him our support. He is to address the electors here on Saturday evening. At the last meeting of the Waitahuna School Committee a report of the conference of members of the Education Board school committee men, inspectors and teachers, re Bishop Nevill's lecture on the morality of the public schools was received and allowed to lie on the table without comment. I notice both teachers and committees hare shows a decided disinclination to deal honestly with the matter, the revolting statements unfortunately cannot be disproved, and it it looked upon and dealt with as an attack on the present system of education, The teachers have carried the matter off with a very high hand so far. The district school has had a very low percentage of passes this year ; the returns have not been published. Mr. Patrick has only been in charge this year and that accounts in a great measure for its very backward state. A concert, farce, and dance is to be held in Lawrence on Monday evening to benefit Mr. Monaghan, a very old and respected resident. Mr. Monaghan has been in bad health for a long time, and bis medical adviser ordered a change of residence to a warmer climate. The entertainment is sure to be well patronised, as Mr. Monaghan has himself been ever foremost in promoting anything and everything touching the public good. A petition, numerously signed by the residents of Waitahuna, has been forwarded to the warden praying that occupation licenses for the Havelock reserve be not granted to the Messrs. ftyaa — who hare pegged off and applied for it. The miners residiug thereon complain that if the land be taken from them it will be a means of depriving them of a livelihood— they requiring the same for depasturing cattle on. In its present condition the land is in a deplorable condition being overrun with gorse, which if not checked will speedily vie with the rabbits in putting farmers and others to expense and trouble.