COUNTRY NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2546, 6 July 1909, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS

COUNTY QUARRIES. MEETING AT TE ARAI. A meeting of ratepayers of the Cook County on Te Arai riding was held on Saturday' afternoon, at 2 o’clock, at the school house, to consider the best means of acquiring a portion of Papatu Hill, for the purpose of a quarry and to complete the metaLng of the road from Manutuke to Reay Station, or Emerald Hills. In spite of the inclement weather there was a large number of persons present to meet Messrs. H. White, member for the riding, and Mr. De G. Fraser, County engineer., who had come out from town in order to give information or in any way assist the meeting. Mr. T. Jex Bla'he was voted to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting. Mr. White addressed the meeting. Mr. Fraser then read a report which he made to the County Council September 1908, on the Papatu Quarry, stating that the quality of the stone was good, and that it would make an excellent road. The cost of getting access to the quarry, he estimated at £240. After some discussion the following resolution was unanimously passed: “That a telegram he sent to the Hon. James Carroll, Acting Premier, informing him that at a largely attended meeting of ratepayers,- in Te Arai riding, it was decided to request him to do all in his power to acquire 13 acres of Papatu Hill, as a quarry site. The Chairman was requested to send the above telegram to Mr. Carroll at his earliest convenience, and also a copy of same to the. chairman of the Cook County Council, with a- request that the Council would do all it can to assist in this matter. As the cost of metalling the Valley Road depends /to a great extent on whether metaL'can be got from Papatu or not, it was decided to adjourn the meeting until such time as a reply had been received from Mr. arroli. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and to Messrs. H. White and De G. Fraser, C.E., for their attendance. DANCE AT MOTU. A very enjoyable dance was given on Friday evening, July 2. by Mr. and Mrs. P. Wright, to celebrate the opening of the company’s wool-shed,. recently erected, at Motu by Messrs. Wright, Tuliock, and E. H. Bridge. About 70 or 80 people were present. Dancing took place in the spacious wool-room, which was prettily decorated for the occasion- with mountain palms, tree ferns, and Prince of Wales Feather ferns. A portion of the shed was partitioned off for a supper-room. After supper Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P., thanked Mr. and Mrs. Wright, on behalf of the guests, for a most enjoyable evening. Vocal and instrumental music was provided by Mrs. Orr, Miss Wright, Miss ,N. Wright, Messrs. Morris, Beard, P. Smith, Barker, AY. Reed, and AY. AY. Bridge. Many pretty dresses were worn by the ladies present. Mrs. AY right wore black silk, Mrs. Mortison crystalline silk relieved with pink, Mrs. Hansen black silk, Mrs. E. Thompson grey silk, Oriental trimmings. Airs. Elliott black and cream, Mrs. Jackson silvergrey silk. Mrs, Hayes cream silk and pink roses, Airs. Orr pretty pink silk. Airs. Reid cream silk, Aliss Wriglit white. Aliss N. AA* right white with Oriental sash, Aliss Watkins black with blue sash, , Aliss.es Anderson (2) black lace. Aliss Cebra pale blue taffeta silk, M iss Hansen cream and blue, Aliss M. Hansen pink silk, Aliss Jackson white muslin and pale blue trimmings, Aliss Rovthorn black and cream, Aliss Smith cream.

It is an evidence of the progress of the district that in the dead of winter a gathering such as this could be mustered within a few miles of Alotu.