EAST COAST EDITION

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 440, 12 June 1902, Page 3

EAST COAST EDITION

TUPAROA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

One of the most successful socials ever held in Tuparoa, given by Mr and Mrs G. S. Wood, took place in Reedy’s hall on Wednesday evening last. There was a very large attendance, visitors coming from all parts. Dancing commenced with the Grand March, with Mr H. Beach as an efficient M.C. Miss Taylor of Port Awanui, Miss Reedy of Tuparoa, and Mils Brooking of Waiomatatini, all looked remarkably well, and it would puzzle a better judge than your correspondent to say which was tho belle of the ball out of those threo. The entertainment was interspersed with several songs. About severity people sat down to a really excellent supper, provided bv Host Fry and his good lady, which would have done credit to any city hotel. Mr and Mrs Wood’s health was proposed by Mr Jackson, and drunk with musical honors. Mr Woods replied in a very neat little speech, proposing the health of Mr and Mrs Fry, and thanking them for their really firstclass spread and accommodation provided for tho visitors. Dancing was kept up till five o’clock on Thursday morning, everyono seemingly having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

WAIPIRO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of tho Waipiro F.G. was hold in tho schoolroom on Saturday evoning, Juno 7th inst. Upwards of thirty members were enrolled. Tho following oflicers were elected: President, Mr A. B. Williamß; Vice-Presidents, Messrs J. F. Pettio, A. M. Beale, W. O. O’Ryan, S. Burdett, G. Westmoreland, A. Luckwoll, and Dr Davis ; Viee-Captain, W. Painter ; Secrotary and Treasurer, W. Warren; Committee, Messrs A. P. Durant, J. Hurutnanu, W. F. B. Dines, S. A. F. Morgan, J. Johnston, P. Hura. A lettor was road from the Tokomaru Bay Football Club inviting the Waipiro team to go to Tokomaru and play them on Coronation Day, 26th inst.—lt was decided, on the motion of Mr Stuckey, seconded by Mr Painter, that the challenge bo accepted, and it was agreed that the team should be seleoted on the 18th inst.

Mr Kirk, Inspector of Nativo Schools, who arrived here on Saturday morning, brought good nSws for the Natives of Haruharaina, in regard to tho petition they had forwarded to the Native Department, re the retention of Mr Downey’s services. The department agreed to allow Mr Downey to remain at tho school. On the receipt of the good news the Maoris at once called a meeting, at which Messrs Downey and Kirk were presont. Tho Natives asked Mr Kirk to thank tho department for their kindness in acceding to tho terms of tho petition. One old chief, who was very enthusiastic in his remarks, exclaimed, “ Why do tho department want to take him away ; why not let him live and die hero if it pleases himself.” Another said that tho Maoris recognised Mr Downey as their father in many ways. He was a thorough linquist, and was able to advise them in many matters. He also set them an excellent example in regard to European manners and customs. Many other Natives present addressed the meeting. Mr Kirk expressed his appreciation of the remarks made by tho Natives, stating that he was glad to see them so attached to Mr Downey and his family. Tho department had decided to allow Mr Downey to remain, and he was sure he would do good work in advancing tho work of education in the district. Mr Downoy feelingly acknowledged the many kind remarks, and stated that he hoped to remain long in Waipiro. Ho said he had never come across such interesting Natives, one and all of whom wero desirous that their children should be educated. It was a pleasure to work amongst them. The meeting terminated with hakas and other forms of rejoicing. Coronation celebrations afford one of the chief topics of conversation on the coast at present, and near]'', every township is preparing a programme. A number of Waipiro are journeying to Tokomaru to attend the celebrations at that placo. Miss Hartley and Messrs Williams and Durant, who aro excellent

singers, are taking part in the concert, which promises to be a great success. Mr McNieol, travelling representative of the Auckland firm of Messrs Brisco, McNeil and Co., left here to-day fer Gisborne.

The Omapore is oxpeeted to arrive here on Friday aftornoon. There is to be a dance at Tuparoa on the evening of the 25th inst. It should prove a first-class evening’s amusement, as Mr Farmer, the' energetio secretary, is doing all in his power to make it a success.

PORT AWANUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Glorious weather has prevailed in this district during tho last few days, and there is every indication that the winter will be a short one. The roads are in fine order. Mr Kelly, the telegraph lineman, is about to take in hand the erection of a telegraph line from Tikitiki to the Coast, to connect with the cable which is to be laid this week from the lighthouse to the mainland. The cable will como ashore about two miles south of East Island. Tho Tutanakao is to be engaged in the work in regard to the cable. Tho telephone connection with East Cape Island will be of great convenience to settlers along the Coast, and also to Gisborne people, as the steamers will always be signalled from there. It will also be a great advantage in the event of medical assistance being required at the Island. Communication on the Coast is being made much easier, and one can now drive from Gisborne to Tuparoa, a distance of over eighty miles. The road to Waipiro in fine weather is easy to travel over, and has during the past few months had a good deal of traffic on it. The drayroad from Waipiro to Tuparoa runs inland through the native settlement of Jerusalem, and along the valley of the Waiapu there is a splendid.dray road. The Waiapu Counoil are to be congratulaed for the enterprise they have displayed in the construction of dray-roads in the district, and there are few local bodies in the colony that have as much to show for the monoy expended as tho Waiapu County Council have.

TOKOMARU BAY.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Another week of beautiful weather, with sharp frosts at nights. On Sunday evening tho wind got round to the north-oast, and rain came on steadily, but the weather is again fine. The Omapere reached here from South about noon on Saturday. She landed two passengers for Auckland, On tho Omapere’s down trip she landed here 40 tons of goneral cargo from Auckland. The necessity of getting something done to tho rocks at tho landed placo was again clearly shown on Saturday, when tho waggon employed in bringing tho cargo ashore from the Omapere’s boats, had the shafts broken off through the wheels getting jammed in the jagged rocks. This is ono of tho things Mr Carroll promised to see to. It would not take tho Government steamer many hours to do the work, and it seems strange that the request made to Mr Carroll should not have been given effect to. Probably, like many other matters, our member has mislaid his Tokomaru notes. _ . „ , ,

The Inspector of Native School, _Mr Kirk, was hero on Friday, and examiucd the school. As usual, the pupils have come through the ordeal in a very creditable manner. There aro about seventy on the roll, and with two or three exceptions, all were advanced to higher standards, which shows careful training and patience displayed by the teachers,. Great interest is being taken in the Coronation festivities to be held at Tokomaru' on the 26th instant, and the gathering promises to be a great success. News of the oelebration of Peace was received here with great joy, and everyone seems pleased that the war is at an end.- Many of your readers expected that you would have given Mr Seddon credit for bringing it about. Theybok upon it as more than a concidenco that Peaco should have been proclaimed after he paid his dying visit to South Africa.