WAIPUKURAU.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2999, 4 February 1881, Page 3

WAIPUKURAU.

(prom our own correspondent.)

February 2, 1881. Everything about Waipukurau at present is dry and parched up, and rain is earnestly longed for by everybody. We have had several large grass fires here lately, more especially on the Woburn station. They were lighted by the railway engine, and when once lighted, the grass being so dry, they burnt at a terrific rate.

The only 'work of importance being carried on at present in Waipukurau is the construction of Messrs Wilding and Bull's saw-mill, opposite the railway station. It is intended, I believe, to bring the trees from Kopua in their rough state, and cut them into timber at Waipukurau. Doors, sashes, mouldinghoards, &c, will also be made on the premises. On Wednesday last finding time hang heavy on my hands, I took a stroll in the direction of the Waipukurau cricket ground, expecting to find some of the cricketers at practice, as I believe that a match is to be played on the 12th instant between the local and Waipawa Clubs. There were two men on the field, and about an hour after two more turned up. I was informed tbat this was the most numerous turn-out for the last four months. If is strange tbat more practice Is not indulged in, as the Waipukurau ground is as good as any in the province, and everything else is handy. If the Waipukurau team do not turn out to practice more regularly than has been the case lately, I am afraid that they will get a disgraceful beating on the 12th. I hear tbat the Napier Comedy Club is coming here on the ICth instant to give an entertainment in aid of the funds of the County Cricket Club. It is to be hoped that they will have a bigger house than they had on the occasion of their last visit to Waipukurau. It ia reported that the Rev. J. Shearman is going to leave Waipukurau for Sydney shortly. He has been invited to take charge of a parish there. The reason of the rev. gentleman's departure is ill-health, he not wishing to stay through another winter in New Zealand.

Some time ago subscriptions were collected in Waipukurau for the purpose of deepening and reparing a well in the town paddock. Water was plentiful for a few weeks, but as soon as the very warm weather set in the well dried up, and now cattle are seen continually BtaodiDg round tbe trough, seeking water but finding none. Surely something can be done to remedy this, and not keep the cattle any longer in want.