DISTRICT NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3696, 4 December 1912, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

PORT AWANUI

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT! PORT AWANUI, Nov. 80

Weather.—The beginning of the wefk was very fine and warm, hut on Wednesday some very welcome rain was experienced and the weather has been stormy and cold since. Tho water supply is replenished again and the benefit of the improved roadway here is very keenly felt during the spell of bad weather. Shearing is, of course, stopped for a few days until fine conditions prevail again. .Shipping.—The details of the cargo discharged by the Kaeo which arrived here last Saturday afternoon are a'fi follow: 15 tons of bridge material, consisting of iron, steol bars for ferroconcrete piles for bridge and general cargo. Tho Crete from Gisborne landed a large consignment of Christmas orders. Expected arrivals are the Squall from Auckland, Kaeo from Gisborne, and Kiritona from Napier an Gisborne. The last-named vessel will take wool for transhipment to London. Among the goods recently landed at this point are 1 piano ancl fifteen sewing machines, all for Native use. This evidences the rapid progress being made by the local Natives in adopting European modes of liv-

WooL—Some 800 bales will be shipped this next week for English and local sales.

I am glad to say that the epidemic of mumps and influenza is becoming much less serious.

RAKAUROA

[EROJI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAIvAUROA, Nov. 30. A meeting of the Waikohu Valley Settlers Association was held in the Ra'kauroa Schoolroom on Friday, 29th inst. at which Cr. Bridge of tho Waikohu County Council, and the County Engineer Mr Mouat, were present. Mr J. N. Da vies-Colley was in the chair and, after introducing Messrs Bridge and Mouat, asked Cr. Bridge if ho would kindly address the meeting. Air Bridge congratulated the settlers along the Rakauroa-Tahora ltoad

in forming an association. He said it was far more satisfactory to settlers if they joined together as one body to deal with work which was of mutual benefit to them, and a great deal easier for a County Council to deal with an association than with individual settlerg. The Engineer said lie was going to deal with pounds, shillings and pence. He explained at length and in detail the “thirds’’ and other moneys which tho Council had in hand; of the settlers along the Rakauroa-Tahora road; particularly the “run 47” settlers’

moneys available for expenditure. He strongly advised a deputation of the Association to join forces with the Otoko Settlers’ Association’s deputation and meet the Minister for Public Works on his intended visit to* Gisborne, to place before him the unsatis-

factory state of affairs as regards moneys available for finishing up reading “run 47” block. Acting on the Engineer’s advice a deputation was at once formed, consisting of Messrs Davies, Colley, Picken and Robb, to confer with tho Otoko deputation and meet the Minister for Public Works. Tho Association then agreed to ask tho secretary to write to the Council asking if Cr.

Bridge iiucl the County Engineer could accompany the deputation. In moving a vote of thanks to Messrs Bridge and Mount in attending the meeting and for the valuable information gained from them, the chairman said he was sorry there was not a bigger attendance, but owing to the bad state of the weather it was impossible for all to attend. In responding, both gentlemen expressed their pleasure at being able to attend, and said that at any time either of them would be only too willing to assist the Association all they could, and if necessary attend more meetings in future. The meeting then terminated and I’m sure the settlers were greatly benefited by the Councillor’s and Engineer’s visit. On occasions like these, when representatives of the Council and settlers meet and discuss local works, etc., much good comes of it, as the Council becomes better acquainted with the requirements of the district, and the settlers know just exactly how they stand as regards Council funds, etc.

Shearing operations have been held

up for nearly a week now, owing to tlie very heavy rains and on Saturday morning, 30th inst., settlers were treated to a view of snow-capped hills, which is rather extraordinary to say the least for this time of the year.