OUR KOKIRI LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 23 March 1901, Page 4

OUR KOKIRI LETTER.

(OVU OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The heavy downpour of rain which continued after the holidays, brought proceedings in the timber getting business during the past week to a standstill, The local sawmills and those engaged in the production of mining, timber, and cutting sdver pine sleepers have all been idle.

The sleeper cutting industry has suffered severely lately through the new and stricter regulations with regard to the passing of sleepers. Timber which a few months ago passed as first-class sleepers are now condemned, and as those engaged in the occupation were not made aware that this was to lie the case, the consequence is that they arc severe losers.

Men have been working for months squaring and Slugging at considerable 1 expense and have now had more than half of their sleepers condemned, and several have had to discontinue the work altogether. The silver pine bush of this district is now almost worked out. The timber is snigged and carted so far that it is impossible to comply with tho present demands. It is required that the timber shall be free from all sap, shapes, knots and every defect, and as tbs wages made . by squarors.wben the foregoing kind ot timber was taken were not very largo, it becomes at once obvious that there is

nothing in it, It is to bo hoped that the department will shortly see its way clear this valuable timbsr which is lying about 'wasting, or being used for firewood. School matters have been interesting hero latklfy the chief item being the appointment of a pupil teacher. The wrath of soma 6tthe committee has been aroused through a young lad/ from outside the district being recommended for the appointment. Messrs Butler Bros had the misfortune on Monday evening last to lose one of their host horses. It appears that the animal had broken loose from the paddock and wandered on to the railway

line, ami on being missed in tlio morning was found dead, having presumably been struck by a passing train. 'Mr and Mrs W. Butler arrived overland on Wednesday last from Christchurch, having been on a tour through the North. Island, and appear wonderfully well and hearty. Mr Butler has secured a largo area of good bush in the other Island, and propose erecting a sawmill to cut the timber. He has our hearty wishes for a successful venture.

A Chinese miner named Ah Bah met with a serious accident in his claim at Maori Gully on Wednesday afternoon last. He was engaged sluicing when a fall of earth pinned him in the tailraee. On being extricated by his mates it was found that Ids right leg was very badly fractured, below the knee,.the bone protruding several inches. Mr Hinnegan was at once sent for, and making the sufferer as comfortable as possible, kindly placed his services and conveyance at his disposal for ho was removed to the Hospital, The matrimonial fever is still raging in this locality. A large number of those happy events, which do not occur very often in a lifetime, have, lately taken place, and there are many more to follow. If rumour bo relied on, the next to lead the way is a young henchman at the Kaimata mill, who has chosen for the partner of his joys and sorrows one of Kokiri’s fairest belles. Later on a young squarer and a very popular lassie will be made one ; and, if the smart-looking little cottages now being erected at the Kokiri sawmill arc anything to judge by, I think that more than one young man there intends to no longer lead a life of celibacy,