EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 398, 24 April 1902, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

,WAIPIRO;

(From Our Own Correspondent) •> The weather for the past week along (lie East Coast has teen very good, and the roads have consequently teen in first class order for travelling. .There has teen .a good deal of traffic on the Coast road, and quite a number of strangers have visited these parts; The s.s. Omapere on her last trip took the balance of 2200 bales of wool which have teen shipped this season from Waipiro. The Waipiro Quadrille Assembly will meet on Wednesday evening next when the dancing season will be opened. The Committee are doing all in their power to make the gathering a success and it is-expected that there will be a large attendance. Great improvements have hcen made lately at the Waipiro Hot Springs, and the accommodation for the travelling public is very good. ®

TUPAROA.

(From Our Own Correspondent). Since my last I have to report the capture of three natives on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery at Port Awanui, by Constables Kelly, Gcrrard and Ahipene, also the arrival of Detective Nixon on the following morning. The accused will be examined before the local Justices on Tuesday next.

I have just heard of another case of breaking and entering at Waipiro Hotel on Friday last. I hear that Mr W. Aspinall lost some money from his till, also a quantity of whisky, etc. I have not heard if they have any suspicion of the culprits yet. We shall most likely have a continuation of these thefts during the coming winter as the natives gave all they had at the great hui at Waiomatatini, and left themselves, or a great number practically starving ; hut then they gave it to the ministers and church. At a meeting of the members of the Waiapu Racing Club held this evening, the balance sheet was read showing a credit balance of £57 lOs in hand and another £l2 or £ls to come in, mak-

ing say a royalty of £7O. The members voted a bonus of £lO 10s to the .Secretary, also £2 2s each to starter and handicapper. The Secretary was prevailed upon to act for another year if not leaving the district before, which lie agreed to. Mr Ready, on the unanimous wish of members, withdrew his resignation as treasurer.

A coastal correspondent writes: —A very pleasant social was held in Mr Reedy’s hall, Tuparoa, last Saturday evening, and was presided over by the proclaimed belle of Tuparoa, Miss Kate Reedy. The hall was delightfully decorated with native shrubs, and tho floor was in real good dancing trim. A duct was given during the evening by Miss Reedy and Miss Materoa, which was loudly applauded. Mr Kirkpatrick gave a very good comic song, “ I happened to be there,” in his usual gay style, for which ho was encored, and in response sang, “ Right before the Misses.” Dancing was vigorously kept up till 12 o’clock sharp. A sit down supper was provided by Mr nnd Mrs Reedy, and was done full justice to.

WAIAPU RACING CLUB.

(From our own Correspondent.)

A meeting of the Waiapu Racing Club was held at Tuparoa' on Saturday, the 19th inst., Mr Iv. 3. Williams in the chair. The minutes of the previous moeting wore and confirmed. At the earnest'request of tho members, Messrs A. B. Jackson (Secretary) and T. Reedy (Treasurer), who contemplate leaving this district, kindly consented to retain their offices till next annual meeting. ' Several Bmall accounts were passed for payment. ■ This Club is in a very sound state for a young club, showing a balance of about •£7O.

It was decided to hold their next race meeting about tho first week in March. After a long discussion on racing matters in connection with last meeting, and a hearty voto of thanks had been passed to the Chair, the'members adjourned to the Tuparoa Hotel, where their annual dinner was hold, arid where a sumptuous repast, provided by Mr T. Ready, in his best style, was done full justice to. Advantage was taken at this gathering to welcome the incoming host, Mr J. J. Fty, and to farewell our late host, Mr T. Reedy. Mr A. B. Jackson (Chairman), after the usual Royal and patriotic toasts had been drunk, in a very neat speech proposed the health of Mr T. Reedy. Mr Reedy, in response, thanked tho members for the hearty manner in which his health had been drunk, and the many Mattering remarks passed about him, and mentioned that although leaving the Hotel he did not intond leaving tho district for some time.

"The toast of “Our New Host” (Mr J. J. Fry), proposed by Mr Kirkpatrick, and' responded to by Mr' Fry in his usual humorous style, was drunk enthusiastically. “ Our President,” proposed by Mr McElroy, and responded to by Mr K.' B. Williams. / ■ “ The Ladies,” proposed by Mr Duff, and very prettily responded to by Miss Reedy. “ The Waiapu Club," proposed by Mr Woods, and responded to by Mr 0. Butler. “ The Press," proposed by Mr Manning, and -responded to by Mr Batcbett, wbo, *fn the' course' of his' rclnaflts, mentioned tke : nmount of interest shown by residents iii the’recent'Coast notesappearing weekly jh the fiiwQENB Times.' Bongs and recitations werp contributed by Miss Reedy, and Messrs Jackson, Duff, McElroy, Woods, Butler, Reedy, and , Kirkpatrick.

irmCfIMATUI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather has taken up once more, and we have had a beautiful week, although cold. The roads have dried up, and traffic is again resumed. The timber for the last of the Hikuwai bridges is nearly all on the ground. The centre span of this bridge is across, and it is only a matter of a few days when traffic will cross all the four bridges. Large mobs of sheep aro still travelling Gisborne way, I presume to the freezing works. Mr W. F. Bousefield having this season secured most of the driving on the coast, has already taken down over 20,000 sheep off tho different stations. An East Coast freezing works in the most central bay-would do.away with etc., in driving, and would, I havo no doubt, pay giright, as there must now be a sufficient number of sheep on the coast to bring tho matter under consideration at anyrate, A considerable area of bush is boing felled, and the land put in grass 'each year, and stock of course increases in proportion. Is it possible the sheep owners could cooperate and mako arrangements for freezing all the sheep on the coast ? Talking of sheep _ reminds me that the management of tho’ Tokomaru station has changed hands, Mr Raymond Kemp, o Waipare, having taken over tho manage ment. Mr W. D. S. Macdonald, the lati manager, has held the position for some thing over twelve years, many change: and improvements having taken place ir that time,

TOLAGO BAY,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) A gentle reminder is already given us pf the early approach nf ' ..uuer by the regular appearance of macintoshes and oil coats, which in our idle mind we find time to make observations upon, The design of some are to be commended and are quite a la mode, but time and use have faithfully played their part in others, and tho men’s clothing department in our district should shortly show a most satisfactory balance, so Jack Frost and his colleagues can bid adieu.

That age does not always merit respect was strikingly shown in a case that came under my notice in this district lately. Several yonog wea were watching m old

and decrepit native woman doing her utmost to cut a few sticks (the term wood would not apply) ar,d the axe would invariably miss the intended object. The old woman narrowly escaped injury upon several occasions. 13ut how frantic with delight wero the spectators with the umusement afforded, and how free wero they with criticisms. They were, however, finally put to shame by a youth seven years their junior, who approached and without utterance manfully rolieved her of the labor by simply breaking the sticks. ■What a veritable contrast in human feeling. It is a pity the law in such cases does not tolerate tho administration of a supple manuka or some other form of punishment.

Tho Hauiti Maori Council appear to bo taking much interest in their work, and should the disreputable order of the past proceed, drunks will augur well towards that functionary’s revenue. There wero no less than ten offenders for tho race week, which is a record, and the fines ranged from 5s to 10s for first and second indulgences respectively. Now that the Native Council have the power to control tho varied offences, methinks, personally, and not without many eupporters, it must have the ultimate desired effect. To follow on, not one single instance has since coino before my notice on this sido of the rippling but tranquil Uawa, 'and our worthy and elert representatives of the peaco commission will speedily checkmate any violation of the law on the other side. Enough.is said. mi TT ’it l.f. Oki-innU f Vl n

The Hauiti Maori Church (tho Tolago European division havo not as yet practically considered a place of worship worthy of serious concern) presents quite an agreeable and devout appearance. The wardens evidently knew well tho value of tho painter's labors, and George Kilburn is doubtless to be complimented upon tho manner in which ho has oxercised his wrist to the well-disposed brush. Should tho work of hanging the bell (whoso tone appears to echo sincerity) bo satisfactorily performed, it should havo tho tendency of magnetising even tho indifferently disposed, at least on the Sabbath Day. A large mob of sheep from Mr T. W. Williams’ station are on their way down tho Coast for Messrs Nelson Bros.’ works. Other mobs on the road aro 1100 from Busby’s and MacDonald’s properties, in charge of Mr G. MacDonald, and 1800 in charge of Mr Cooper. At tho Police Court, before Messrs Reeves, Morris, and Holder, J.P.’s, Andrew Anderson was charged with robbing tho orchard at Arakihi station. Constable McLeod stated that robbing orchards was becoming quite a common offence in tho district. The Arakihi orchard had been robbed for several years in succession, and very often treep were maliciously damaged. From information received he, in company with Mr Harcourt, manager of tho Arakihi station, traced horse-tracks from the orchard to accused’s place, a distanco of about two miles and a half, where they recovered some of the stolen fruit. The accused was convicted, and sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment, with hard labor.

SUNDAY RECREATIONS.

(To the Edito# of the Times.)

Sir, —Kindly grant me spaco in your valuable paper to reply to “ A Player,” who evidently finds that “facts are stubborn things to deal with.” It is indeed gratifying to learn that one of our residents has taken, “ I hope not leave of his senses, 11 but an interest for the advancement of our district, and, personally, I readily thank him for his deliverance, and shall further compliment him upon his significance as a member of the Sabbath-day Club, Just a word dear “ Player,” there is much in a name, and you doubtless bear the outward semblance of a player and certainly look very nice, but show'not thy promiscuous element under a’ false cloak, display fearlessly thy name, oh thou weak-kneed one on whom I havo trodden “ personally”; I did not intend. I candidly admit some people cannot see this error of judgment. No, alas, “ where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” Qblivion awaiteth theo as would likewise the bull terrior to which you allude.—l an), etc., Own Correspondent.