COUNTRYNEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2731, 9 February 1910, Page 3

COUNTRYNEWS.

• KAKAUROA. [From Our Own Corresvondknt.'l Tliough the summer days are slowly creeping to im unwelcome end, it is very satisfactory to learn that, the railway is slowly (progressing towards us in this weary corner of the earth —yes, “sunny” Kakauroa. Just imagine for a moment anyone who has travelled thp roads to this district even in the summer —they 'can just fancy themselves again plodding the' same roads in the -winter time, up to the girths in mud if riding, and to their knees, probably, if walking. Oh ! what a boon the railway will he. All this unpleasantness will he gone, and let ns hope gone for good, and Kakauroa. instead of being a “tabooed” place in the depth of winter, will probably become a resort for tourists—if not in the winter. It will undoubtedly be a place for sports and also picnic parties, hat may, instead of having' their pastime at Waikohu, proceed straight to Kakauroa. This little district' may seem dreary to any stranger or traveller, but if he would just “tarry” lor a while, he would certainly be convinced there are many more places far more dreary; for Kakauroa at the present moment is in a state of confusion, business looks as though it has come too soon. The railway men are drawing closer, and are beginning to make a stir—a stir that will last for some years. Kakauroa has just “awoke,” storekeepers and tradespeople of all sorts and descriptions are constantly at the settlers for leases of land. “Oh, just a few yards—just that little corner—just enough to build a store” is their constant cry. Of course these people are not always successful as to their leases.

A person who is constantly on the roads can scarcely be convinced that there lias been the number of men as reported on these works (100 to 500), for he can hardly see the progress, out. we are told that the very heavy work has grOatly kept hack the work, and there certainly appears to lie some very heavy work done, for there seems to he in some places the whole side of a hill cut completely away, and in other places' tremendous block cutting. In fact, it- is- stated that on one of these two shifts of men are working. Now that the “Dreadnought” bridge is completed, the rails will be fairly quickly put down, and the whole section between Wai.huka and Otoko will not be so very long before it- is completed —that is, to the viaduct, ilt is expected to be finished thus far about May next. If we proceed u.p the line towards Rakauroa we would find men at work all the way up to Airs. AlcKenzie’s property. and sidings, block cuttings, and soundings for bridges being worked at. \ few men are also scattered between AlcKenzie’s station and Rakauroa. and it is stated tint more men are to be employed on this section. This is exceedingly interesting and encouraging to the settlors, who have worked hard for the sake of a comfortable old age. At .present Rakauroa can boast of one store, a blacksmith’s shop, two butchers’ businesses, and three mills, all of which are constantly at work. A mail service, twice weekly, seems to supply the wants of the settlers fairly well, although it will be greatly improved on when the ballast train runs to Otoko.

Rakauroa i.s going to be one of the busiest railway centres on this line for several roads join at this point. Another very enjoyable evening was spent in tho Rakauroa School on Friday, 4tli inst., tho occasion being a dance. The ..floor was in excellent order.. Mr. T. Grace acted ns AI.C.. while Air J. AlcPhee and Air S. V. Beaufoy supplied the music. Dancing was kept up till the early hours of the morn.