The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1883.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1224, 24 January 1883, Page 2

The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI- WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1883.

Public interest, or perhaps what is more applicable to the case — public stupidity, which had been on the simmeJ over Reefton School matters for some weeks previously, reached its climax on Monday evening last, when a meeting of the householders was held to receive the report of the outgoing committee, and nominate the new committee. Some time before the hour of meeting the precincts of the State School became thronged with people, and when the doors were opened the room was rushed and packed like a drum of figs. The first trouble then arose in the appointment of a chairman. There was a small faction in the front rank who appeared to think that some momentous importance attached to getting a congenial occupant of that position, and accordingly it was proposed by Mr Walter A tkin, and seconded by Mr Gardner that Mr Mirfin be chairman. An amendment was at once proposed that Mr John Dick be the chairman, and upon a show of hands being taken the majority in favor of the amendment was about twenty to one. A division was then called for on behalf of the "resolutionists," but the people were so tightly packed that no one could move. In the midst of a general uproar resort was once more had to a show of hands, and although the result was the same as before, the motion was declared carried, and in the face of some adverse groaning the first step in the programme was consummated. It was then decided, owing to the very large attendance, to adjourn to the Oddfellows Hall. A general movement was accordingly made in that direction, where after a good deal of squeezing the meeting was soon ready for further action. The report of the late committee was called for and this was read and the chairman then called upon some one to move its adoption. At this stage Mr W. H. Jones, the late secretary rose and pointed out that the report contained some reflections upon himself and those who had acted with him on the committee, and to adopt the report would be to, in a measure, endorse its contents. It was then suggested that each party should afford an explanation to the meet ing, and this course was followed. This phase of the meeting occupied nearly three hours ,'and after it was over the meeting refused to endorse the report, leaving the Issue to be settled by the ballot to be taken on the following day. Nominations were then taken and the meeting adjourned.

The following are the names of the players from which will be selected the team to play against Grey mouth in the approaching match : Messrs D. Twohill, A. Pickering, G. B. Shepherd, J. Shepherd, H. Lucas, Wm. Dunn, J. Lynch, D. Lynch, J. Cereseto, J. Grieve, J. Sargeant, T. Bruce, J. Blakley, W. Irving, W. Foy, W. Atkin. The match will be played next month, probably about the 20th.

A public meeting is convened by the County Chairman for Thursday (tomorrow) evening, at the Council Chambers, to take into consideration the project for providing the Electric Light for Reefton. We believe that full information'on the subject will be afforded, and it is to be hoped that the business people will show a becoming intrest in the proposal. The chair will be taken at 8 o'clock.

The case of Reginia v. O'Neill (appellant) was heard in the District Court on Monday last. This was an appeal from the decision of the Magistrate who sentenced defendant to two months imprisonment for aiding and abetting an act of indecency. After a lengthy hearing His Honor upheld the judgment of the Magistrate, and the conviction therefore stands.

The sittings of the District Court were • brought to a somewhat unexpected close on Tuesday morning last. The case of Hooker v. Kater was adjourned till next sitting owing to the illness of an important witness and the case of Wyndham ', v. McLennan Bros, was ousted for want , of. jurisdiction. His Honor Judge Broad left for Greymouth this morning. An extraordinary meeting of shareholders in the Montezuma Company will be held at the Southern Cross Hotel this evening at 8 o'clock sharp. Reef ton was yesterday plunged in all the excitement of a genuino Eatenswill election. Never before probably didtmch a small cause produce such great, consequences. The polling for the Education Committee opened at 2 p.m. and from that hour till about 11 p.m. when the poll closed it may be said that business was entirely suspended. Not. the leaat singular feitureofthe contest was that while everybody strongly deprecated such an unnecessary display of interest over such an election, everybody contributed in one way or other to add something to it. If the people could only be brought to exercise the same interest in parliamentary elections there would be some hope for the country. The following is the result of the polling : — W. Campbell 395 W. H. Jones... ... 320 W. Cochranesen 320 T. Watson 301 D. 0. Preshaw 298 J. B. Beeche 259 J. I. Aiken ... .:. 245 UNSUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. J. Thorburn 204 W. Gardner ... ... 202 VV. Irving ... 170 W. Atkin 84 W. H. Hobby 79 J. Auld ... ... 40 J. C. Craig 20