EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 392, 17 April 1902, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

.TOKQMARU BAY

(From Our Own Correspondent)

i With the cricketers ball 1 think we r have finished up the excitement and , interesting events in this locality. ; q’he morning of the 11th did not promise well for the success of our ball, and although many were kept away by the showers of the morning still we had a good muster from distant places, some coining from Tuparoa, Waipiro, Tolago, and Gisborne. A most enjoyable evening was spent, everyone appearing to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The feature of the evening was the splendid music hy the Waipiro Band. Mr A. B. Williams, piano; Mr Beale, ’cello; Mr Cowley, violin ; Mr Davis, cornet , Mr Walworth, flute. Too much praise and thanks cannot lie given to these gentlemen for their services which helped so materially to make the hall a success. The catering was in the hands of Mr Hales, and it goes without saying that it was all that could be desired. The hall was as usual most elaborately decorated,the young ladies deserving credit for the way '.n which it was done under the directorship of Mr A. .Smith and Mr A. Fairlie. These gentleman witli the assistance of the secretary, having undertaken the dressing rooms, floor, etc., etc. The floor was in excellent condition. Here are a few of the dresses

that I can remember Miss Hartley, pale green trimmed with pink chiffon ; Miss Carrie Spence, pink muslin ; Miss Amy Spence, white and blue ; Miss Broadbent, white ; Miss Erskine, white ; Mrs C. Fairlie, fawn skirt, pink silk blouse ; Mrs Buchanan, cream satin ; Miss McGavin, cream with cardinal sleeves ; Miss Winnie McGavin, yellow trimmed with black ; Miss D. McGavin, pink ; Mrs Bruce, black trimmed with white, Mrs O’Ryan, blue ; Miss Brown, white and pink ; Miss White, white muslin ; Mrs Monkman, black ; Miss Jessie Bruce, white and blue ; Miss McDowach, black ; Mrs Perry, black skirt maroon velvet blouse ; Mrs Holder, black , Mrs Holder, black ; Mrs Condon, pink and maroon/ The question ol belle of course is too much for |me to decide, and I heard no many mentioned as the likely one, that my opinion now is that there were quite a number, and, at any rate, all looked very pretty, Mr E. Swinnerton and Mr E. M.Wallis did their duties |well, the dancing going ofi without a hitch. At 4 a.m. the programme was got through when the gathering dispersed to seek a much needed rest.

AWANUI

(From Our Own Correspondent),

Nothing of a startling character has occurred here since the robberies at Mr Kirk’s store and the Sea View Hotel, and no clue to either has so; far been obtained: •

Business is very quiet after the races and hui. It was expected there would have been a sitting of the Native Land Court here before this, but so far there is not even word as to when it will he held. I understand that there is a good deal of business awaiting it. A ball is to be held here shortly, extensive arrangements are being made for the same. A number of Awanui residents journeyed to Tuparoa last evening to attend a dance at that place. We have had very wet weather during the last two weeks. The river has been very high and the sea very heavy. Mr J. Chadwick who has been here for some time, left for Nelson las., week where he joins Mr C. Haldane, formerly in this district. Prior to leaving Awanui Mr Chadwick was entertained by a number of his friends at a social evening. All the musical talent of the district was called into requisition, and after a number of fine songs had been given, Mr Chadwick s health was proposed, all present wishing him good luck and the gathering breaking up with “ He’s a jolly good fellow,’- 1 - and “Auld lang syne.’-’

TUPAROA

From our own Correspondent.)

The principal topic of news during the past week has been • the buLglary at Port Awanui. This seems to have been remarkably i well planned and carried out, for, as lar as we can learn no trace of any sort was left behind which might enable the constable to obtain some link on which to start upon, however, Constable Kelly is doing his utmost and hopes to eventually; land the culprits in gaol. Quite a number of horse buyers have been scouring the district during the last fortnight for horses of any and every description, *it prices varying from half-a-crown to several pounds for decent sorts.

We have been having a lot of stormy .weather on the coast and the roads are in a very bad state much earlier than usual. The road between Waipiro and Tuparoa is,perhaps the worst. Mr Reedy, the well-known hotel and storekeeper, lias sold out of the Tuparoa Hotel to Mr J- J. Fry, late of Waipiro, and who is well and favourably known all up the coast. We regret to state that Mr A. Jackson and Mr A, Reedy intend resigning their offices as secretary and treasurer of the Waiapu Racing Club, and haVe called a general meeting of members for the 19th inst. to elect successors. Both Mr Jackson and Mr Reedy have worked hard to establish this club on a firm foundation and have been very successful, for after only a second meeting they will be able to hand over a balance of about £6O to start the new racing season. ' , , A grand ball was held on Saturday night at Reedy’s hall. Mr Pin Pukaroa acting as M.C, Dancing was kept up witli great spirit till 12 p.m., when a hearty supper wns supplied by Miss Reedv Miss Luke was the acknowledged belle of the ball. The dancing was supplemented, by several songs and recitations, and was kept up till twelve o’clock p.m.

TOLAGO BAY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Our heretofore modest little community has quite developed a mania for speculation, though probably not serious or to any decree extensive, upon the chances of whom may be “Our Own Correspondent, and, as is only natural, the pros and cons of his dictation, but that comment should be made upon matters considered of private concern is evidently a very tender point.' Echo repeats “Awaken then from thv lethargy and remain not wallowing in dismal chaos as would the imbecile. Twenty-five years ago, so we are informed bv the special Times correspondent, Tolago was an important centro when pound notes were treated as mere coppers. How is it then that the leading talent with their enviable means, some of whom are still amongst us, have apparently dwindled pecuniarily, but yet appear to be at the front. Not with our boys in South Africa, nor in social affairs, but in another way. Events appear to follow very closely in this present enlightened age of man, and the rising generation should take instruction by the mistakes of their fathers. At this juncture let me suggest that a meeting be convened for the purpose of erecting a hall to be utilised for such necessary work as is incumbent upon you to advocate, “ for such is my persuasive way of research.” Not that the writer is overcome with a censorious feeling or that his pleasures revert to social or personal trespass. No, oh dear no, do not feel aggressively agitated. My proclivities are not that way directed; it is simply a necessary peculiarity of mine, you know, but may possibly serve as a prelude to | later united operations. Notwithstanding the fact that a superfluous margin exists between the functionary of your Hon. Member and his many vague promises, which by effluxion of time can be expected Out a surmounted repetition of niceties, assurances, etc., I personally

pledge them that unless the cudgel is taken in hand thou will be doomed to persecution by our unassuming Editor, prompted by your own devoted scribe. It is pleasing to note from the report of last week’s Cook County Council that something is to be done to tho TolagoTokomaru road at this end. This we take it is to bo attributed to the severe comments made by your Special on the occasion of his visit to the Coast.

In tho matter of our telegraphic communication there is something radically wrong on the coast, judging from the fact that a telegram was left for despatch at an offico on the 14th ult., and as certain important work necessitated being done prior to the arrival of the sender, it did not reach its destination until the 18th of that month, three days after the sender. Imagine the surprise and boisterous display of him whose time, good intention, and money had vanished for nil, a distance only of say thirty-two miles. Whether it was that the faulty official or individual was too utterly tired pondering over something fanciful for the race meeting and forgot it, or that the assumption to deliver or endeavor to have it delivered exceeded his obligations, he, doubtless, is the connoisseur. “ Gems of frivolity, repose, and little promise,” why change your exalted measures ? Life is too brief. It is an ill wind that blows that doth not someone good, and albeit the Royal mail to Gisborne was detained last week owing to tho swollen an 1 dangerous state of the Uawa river, yet our “ locals ” have quite revelled in a veritable wood harvest. Men and women, old and young, were to be seen exercising their physical powers collecting ttie welcome, though saturated fuel, in anticipation of what is generally considered an early winter.

A race of a novel character is at present being fought out on the coast. Three well-known commercial travellers, ono representing a Northern hardware firm, and the other two Wellington and Auckland warehouses, made a wager to race ono another from Awanui to Gisborne, the one condition being that they should call and endeavor to do business with each storekeeper en route. The competitors were well mounted, but the Wellington softgoods man was somewhat handicapped on account of his corpulency. They find a fair start at Awanui, and the trio kept well together as far as Tokomaru, where a potter held out a ransom to the Wellington traveller to sta3' the night. The cautious man from tho Empire City, however, who represents a firm with a Chinese ring about it, had his eyes fixed upon Tolago, and leaving his friends at Tokomaru haggling over the price of a horse feed, he set sail for the Uawa river. The natives in tho villages by the way describe his rate of speed to be liko that of the white crane, for he travelled 90 fast that they hardly saw him go by. Bespattered with mud, the Wellington man arrived late this evening at the hotel, and as far as one can judge at present there is every indication that he will reach Gisborne an easy first.

SUNDAY RECREATIONS

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sir, —In your issue of the 10th April I notice that “your own correspondent,” in the course of a lettor dealing with current topics, takes occasion to deprecate the fact that the young people in our midst indulge in polo, tennis, and other minor amusements on Sunday. He also advocates it as a “reason for the rare visits from spiritual advisers.” As a resident of (I venture to say) a much longer period than your correspondent, I would point out that although the pastimes in question have only come into vogue here during the last couple of years, visits of clergymen were scarcely, if ever, more frequent than at present. Hence, “ little encouragement, no attendance,” cannot with truth be advanced as a reason for the lack of religious services. There is little doubt that a regular system of Sabbath observation would tend to remedy the present condition of affairs, as many of the players who would not perhaps attend service would respect the prejudices of those who were attendants. Perhaps your correspondent could be prevailed upon to step from the pedestal of shocked propriety and undertake the duties of lay reader. Personally, I fail to see that there is any more sin in a game of tennis on Sunday afternoon than there is in strolling out with a bull terrier. —I am, etc., A Player. TRADE RETALIATION. By Tolegraph—Press Association Auckland, last night. Mr R. Reid, of Melbourne, one of the Victorian '.Labor Commission now in this district, does not think there is any chanco of reciprocal trade between Australia and New Zealand. He says that no State dare to open its port to the produce of New Zealand. Tho ruling fact of the Commonwealth is protection. However, he does not think there will be any great falling off in the New Zealand trade, for Australia must be supplied for a short market in some articles at all times from New Zealand. If you want something Choice and Stylish in Gents’ Ties, call at C. Rosie and Co’s. A splendid range of Choice Designs in the Latest Styles^ LANDJSALE, MESSRS WYLLIE & MASON Are instructed by Major McCredie, on behalf of Colonel Porter, to offer for Public Sale, on SATURDAY, 19th INSTANT, at the hour of 12 o’clock Noon—