OLD FRIENDS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 412, 23 August 1876, Page 3

OLD FRIENDS.

We were not, however, any the less happy to see last week the Staffa at our wharf,, and to welcome Captain Baker and many old friends among his passengers. The arrival was quite opportune, and the fates (that is their business — the winds and tides, and the moonlight) ruled that they should all he detained for twenty-four hours. During that time we and they spent a very social evening in the old flax hall, which has lost none of its attractions and endearments and old associations, although it is not now devoted to the proper purposes of trade. "We and they prolonged the night till morning, and what with the attractions of the beauty and fashion of the place and the distinguished travellers, mingled with the cries of " kapai te pakeha," "kapai te Maori," and so forth, we were loth to quit our festivities until called away by the stern necessities of everyday life. Where all were happy and agreeable in their several spheres, it were invidious to mention names ; but as to all rules there are exceptions, I must therefore state that Mr A. H. White, our highlytalented musician on this and similar occasions, is by far the most popular, good-natured, and obliging personage in Whakatane. We took the opportunity of a late assembly to- drink Mr and Mrs White's health, combined with that of their newly and first-born child ; — and need I add that the toast was received with all the honours due? COMMERCE. During the present season, we- of Whakatans have produced some two thousand bushels of maize for export, and have besides grown amply sufficient food for home consumption. In connection with this, it is fit to note that Mr Joseph Merritt purposes to promote, the interest of this place by convening a meeting of the in-

habitants of both races, with a view to the advancement of the producing powers of the district. I refrain from fuller- remarks until the matter is «» fait accompli ; after which I shall report. The Government lately imported here ten tons of potatoes and one hundred bushels of wheat (more or less), as seed towards promoting the said advancement; and various other- agricultural industries are this spring being inaugurated, of which also, more anon. The District En- ■ gineer, Captain Turner, has been here with Mr Sydney Crapp, laying out land for selection,, which is likely to be competed for, and' well' occupied. There is no risk of said land falling to the lot of non-resident capitalists or land-jobbers. Mr S. Wilson has retired from the A.C. with a view of making this amenable place His home, and no doubt his energy and skill will change the face of nature. Our old settler, Mr George Simpkins, has leased to Messrs Tunny and Pond, scientific chemists of Auckland, his valuable property of "Whale Island,which possesses, besides its agricultural and piscatorial advantages, some of the most valuable of mineral springs, from which will in time emanate cures most miraculous. Mr Simpkins produces at his fine farm, Kopeopeo, yearling sheep, which clean seventy pounds, and is determined not to be behindhand in improving still more his fine breed of sheep. A" FAREWELL. We last night held a social reunion, the occasion being to bid farewell to our esteemed friends, Mr and Mrs John M. Hall. Mr Hall has long been associated with this neighbourhood, and was for some time SergeantMajor at Teko. He leaves us on his being transferred to Tauranga, where his abilities will no doubt render him popular.