The unfavorable report of Mr Inspector Hodgson upon the Waimangaroa school, published in another column, requires further explanation than that given by the Inspector. Mr Cummingis a well-truined, capable, and painstaking teacher, and it is unfortunate that circumstances should have been so much against him on the occasion of the last annual examination. It will be seen that there are 47 childjen on the roll, of which number only 25 were present, the fact being that the cream of the school was absent. The day of examination was a very wet one, which was mainly the cnuse of so many being away, and several forward scholars had just left the school and joined the newly-opened one at Fairdown. The Inspector also made his visit a fortnight earlier than the date arranged. These facts put a different complexion on the report. An action arising out of a criminal prose cution for an alleged libel, published iu the Ashburton Mail, is being brought by Mr Joseph Ivess against Mr E. G. Crisp, a solicitor, in the Supreme Couit, Christ church. The result is being looked forward to with considerable interest, as the verdict is likely to establish a piecedeut in the method of kindred prosecutions, as this is the first action of the kind instituted in the Colonies. Mr Ivess has engaged Mr C. E. Button, and tbe defendant has secured Mr ex-District Judge Weston. Both those legal gentlemen will make their delut before a Christchurch Court in this case, which is set down for hearing on Monday next, before a special jury, damages being laid at .£SOO. The ordinary meeting of the Buller County Council was held at Charleston on Tuesday. Amongst other business done, tenders amounting to £I3OO were accepted for the Zala Town road, provided the Alpine Company contribute £3OO ; the Chairman's salary was fixed at £IOO per annum. The motions for increase of representation were lost, Cis O'Conor and Stitt voting in favor of another member for Lyell, and Crs Brown, Stitt, and O'Conor for Wareatea North.
