EAST COAST EDITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 428, 29 May 1902, Page 3

EAST COAST EDITION.

PORT AWANUI

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Glorious weather has prevailed on th Coast during the last week and the road are in first-class order. The long-looked for bachelor’s bal came off on Saturday last, and was ir every way an unqualified success. Mi Milner’s hall never looked so pretty as ii 3 did that evening, being taßtfully decorated with overgreens and flags, the whole work reflecting great credit on the committee. v /Choice programmes printed at tho Gis borne Times Olliue were provided and dancing was continued with spirit until after midnight. There being so many charming young ladies present it is per haps invidious to select a belle, but the general opinion was in favor of Miss Ready, of Tuparoa. Refreshments were provided by Mr James Smith, of the Sea View Hotel, and tho many “dainties” wore done full justice to. During the evening songs wore given by Misses Taylor, Walker, and Milner. Mrs try (Tuparou), and Messrs Leslie, Wulker, Hayes, and Robertson. Tho accompaniments wore tastefully played by Miss Taylor and Mrs Smith. A word of praise is due to Mr Leslie, who otliciated as M.C., tho duties of which office wore carried out in an excellent manner. The bachelors of Awanui are to be congratulated on tho success of the function, the ball being admittedly ono of tho best ever hold on the Coast.

The good people of Awanui do not intend to lot Coronation Day go by without somo festivities. A meeting was held at Mr Butler’s hotel on Thursday evening last to arrange a concert and sports meeting for the sebo >1 children of Awanui. Miss Neal was elected Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, anil a strong committee was appointed, which I feol sure will make good arrangements for assuring a happy day for tho young people. The Omaporo worked Port Awanui on Wednesday last, the weather being splondid and the sea calm. She left during tho afternoon, taking a number of passengers, amongst them being Mr T. Robertson, of the firm of Robertson and Leslie, who is on a short visit ta Gisborne, combining business with pleasure, and Mrs Smith, of the Sea View Hotel, who is on a short visit to Wellington. Mr C. L. Hansen is tho successful tenderer for the now post office to be ' • orected hero. lam euro the new office "'O'will be greatly appreciated by residents, and also by the popular postmaster Constable Kelly, as it will greatly facilitate tho work there.

TUPAROA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Cold but fino wintry weather is the rule at present on the Coast, but being westerly the sea has been remarkably calm, and tho natives aro busy fishing and making somo very good hauls. The Omapero arrived on Wednesday evening, and was occupied hero two days discharging 12,000 feet of timber, and about 70 tons general cargo, and taking in 800 bales of wool, being balance of this soason’s Tuparoa station’s clip. Sho left for Waipiro on Friday evening. Tuparoa should be improving from tho quantity of timber imported, and Mr G. S. Wood seems very busy with several additions to the station store, enlargement of Mr Reedy’s store, also alterations at Tnparoa Hotel. Mr Fry seems determined to make that hotel as comfortable and up to date as possible, and is sparing no expense towards that end. Mr and Mrs Fry are most popular along the coast, and travellers can always rely on receiving a hearty welcome and excellent accommodation at their hotel. WAIPIRO. - (From Our Own Correspondent.) Mr F. Bousfield stopped at Takapau on Saturday with a mob of 2000 sheep on tho road from Mr T. S. Williams (Mataheia Station) for Nelson Bros. It is expected that the mob will reach Gisborne next Wednesday. Mr Bousfield is one of the most popular drovers on the" Coast and handles most of the stock up this way.

Mr Mackay arrived from Auckland by the Omapere to fill the vacancy in the Waipiro store caused by tho departure of Mr Cowley. Mr S. Smith, District Surveyor, arrived here on Saturday evening to lay out the Government Resorves for the Waipiro township. Messrs Hookey and Clark, of the firm of Arch. Clark and Sons, aro at present making a business tour of tho Coast, and passed through here to-day. Messrs Sbarland and Co.’s reprosonta tive is at present visiting Waipiro. The Maoris at Hiruharainaare petition ing the Government to retain tho services of Mr Downey, of Tekao. A petition has been drawn up and signed by over sixty Natives asking the Education Department •to allow him to remain in the district. He is held in great esteem by both races. The new bath built by Mr Gordon at

the Te Puia Hot Springs for the eonvenioqoo of ladies is now complete, and is a great improvement to tho place. I understand that Mr Gordon intends to - pnakfs a large swimming bath out of tho mud pool. Members of both races are looking forward to the proclamation of peace, and some great festivities are to take place on tne Coast when that happy day arrives.

Taking advantage of the calm sea

which has prevailed for the last fourteen days, the Maoris have been busily engaged fishing for wharehau, a species of kowhai. The Maoris are extremely fond of wharehau, and it is dried and kept for winter use. Some fine flluls have been made.

Business generally is quiet, a great

raimber of the natives being away bushfalling in the remote parts of the district.

Two new buildings have been erected at the Te Puia Springs, and Messrs McCracken and McClue have taken up .their residences at that place. TOKOMARU BAY.

(From Qur Own Correspondent.)

The election of a Councillor for Tokomarn Riding is creating quite a stir here. Both candidates have been round soliciting votes, and .quite a close finish is expocted. Mr G. J. White was a member of the first Waiapu Council, and sat for several years, eventually resigning on deciding to take a trip to the Old Country. Mr Hindinarsh, J.P., is new to the office, but should mako a first-class member. A third candidate would have been in the field, Mr Maurice Fitzgerald, but for an oversight in filling in tho form of nomination.

Mrs W. D. S. McDonald, with her characteristic generosity and hospitality, gave a very nice social and danco last week to the young people of the place, which was well attended- and a pleasant evening was spent.

As showing tho severity of tho late storm along the Coast, serious darnago was done all along the telegraph line, and several of the iron poles wero snapped off close to the ground on some of tho high ridges near Tnparoa.

The Waiapu road machine is put away for the winter now, and Mr C. McCracken has undertaken to put through for l\lr McDonald the Hikuwai road contracts let at last Council meeting. A thoroughly ■ good job may be expected with this. Tokomaru does intend to be behind in the matter of Goronation festivities, and an excellent programme is being worked out for Coronation Day. There is is to be a football match, Town v. Country, at 2.30 p.m., and a stubborn game is expected. A number of the country players are | uttingin good practice on the quiet at their stations, and the town team will have to look to. its laurels. A grand musical entertainment, to conoludo with a roaring farce, is t ; o be held in the evening, and amongst others who have promised to assist are me following : Mesdames Hindmarsb, McGavin, Penny, Fairlie, McDonald, Misses Hartly, D. McGavin, White, and Potao. Messrs A. B. Williams, Durant, Warner, Thornton, T. Potae, Buchanan, Swinnerion, and Otktes (junior). The school children are contributing items, and Mr A. Smith will dance the Sailor’s Hornpipe. The proceeds are in aid of the Tokomaru Cricket Club, and a substantia] gum should be y&iled,

TOLAGO BAY,

(From our own CQirßsporid&nt.)

After a storm there is generally a calm, and the past few days have been all that could be desired, and we are therefore anticipating a very mild and short winter. Chaff-cutting is being carried on to a great extent, while plouguing operations are already in swing. A very enjoyable ball wa3 given last Tuesday evening by the Misses and Mesdauies Fitz Gerald, of Mangatukerau (a full report of whicn has already appeared), as the opening ceremoDy of their recentlycompleted and up to-dato wooished, which building reflects much credit upon tho designers and builders, Mackruli and Colley, Gisborne, and those directly concerned. Invitations had boon issued to a largo number of guests, and as the roads were in reasonably good order, with the silvery orb of Old Jamaica shiuingin fullest effulgence, tue great majority undertook the pleasurable journey of some twelve miles’ ride. They were right royally rewarded by what proved a most convivial evening, while tho invigorating influence of a crisp and pure country air had its beneficent cuarm. Tno ball-room was tastefully decurated with a prolusion of nikau palms, fernery, and varied otner of Nature’s cuoico foliage, wbicn gave a really beautiful appearance to tue boiid and spacious

building. Thu pianoforte music had evidently been carefully selected, and wasvery ably supplied by tho Misses Broad bunt, A. .Spence, B. Spence, andC. Spence, while Mr N. Spence, in the good old Scotch style, assisted with too uugpipoH. Too floor, which proved in excellent order, was graced by about forty couples, au-1 dancing was vigorously indulged in (under tbo direction of an efficient M.C.) A plontiful and sumptuous supper was provided, vvuilo tho unique decorations til varied forms were quite captivating, and had tho desired effect of appetising those w-io really felt disinclined. Alter tho usual toasts had been honored, tho ballroom was again patronised, and at varied intervals songs, recitations, etc., added greatly to tho eveningls enjoyment, and not until the late hour of four o'clock a.m. did tho merry party break up.

Horse-breakers in our midst aro at present busily engaged. No less than four professors are operating in that art. Mr Ted Boland lias several valuable colts, the property of Mr D. Macfarlune, under his able management, and all doing well. Mr Harry Goodley has, 1 trust, done well to purchase n really good looking Crackshot—Wild Dirk gelding from Messrs Sisterson and Macßuo, of Te Arai, Gisborne, and, judging by appearances, will give a good account of himself at tho next race meeting. I understand that Muscovio is tho name bestowed on the gelding. Tho s.s. Omapero has at last made her appearance, after an absence of six weeks, and needless to state, much pleasuro and consolation have been occasioned to those dependent upon her arrival. Almost all edibles had totally disappeared, while I understand that sevoral locals were compelled to visit Gisborne for tho purposo of having their necessary wants supplied. News of a vague description is just to hand of tho result of tho dance given by tho manager of Kioro station on Friday night. About fifteen couples were present, tho gentlemen being far in excess of tho fair sex. Everything passed off very satisfactorily, tho function breaking up at 4.80 on Saturday morning.