EAST COAST EDITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 490, 31 July 1902, Page 3

EAST COAST EDITION.

PORT AWANUI.

'(Froiti Our Own Correspondent).; Arrangements are being made to hold sports during the day, and a concert in tho evening of the 9th August, Coronation Day. The Omaporc arrived hero this morning from Auckland, and was able to land all the cargo for Awonui. The sea was beautifully calm. Wo aro having lovely weather, real spring timo. Mr Hansen, tho contractor for the post office, is making rapid strides with tho work.

Mrs .Tames Smith, tho populor hostess of the Sea View Hotel, has returned from Wellington uftcr two months’ holiday.

TOKOMARU BAY

(From Our Own Correspondent.; Wo aro still enjoying exceptionally line weathor, and consequently the roads are in good order. Tho Oinapcro landed 1!{ tons of general cargo and 5,000 ft. of timber on Sunday. Tho landing of cargo is now carried out much more expeditiously with the assistance of tho new steam launch, tho boats havo to wait for tho waggons to bo unloaded now, and provious to the advent of tho launch, the waggons wore waiting for tho boats to como ashore, so much time boing takon up in rowing to and from tho steamer. Tho launch skims .along at tho rato of sovon knots. Tho pound salo advertised last wcok took placo as intended. Tho three best horses realised L2 10s each, Mr Macdonald being the purchaser. The other two were bought for dog’s meat, one for 10s, and tho other for Od. Tho To Puka Hotol lias again changed hands, Mr Macdonald having sold to Messrs Warburton and Condon. Wo aro gotting quito used to theso changes of tho last two years ; tho most unexpected things have boon happening, and if changes mean progross, then we should bo going ahoad alright. Mr Pollon is in this neighborhood, working energetically enrolling electors, With all duo respect to Mr Pollon, and the other gentlemen ouiployod in tho electorate to comploto tho roll, I think tho work could havo boon dono hotter and more ehoaply by local men in ouch district, men who aro familiar with all tho roads, homesteads, and practically -knowing all tho electors. Mrs McLachlan, of To Aroroa, for many years rosident here, is paying a visit to her okf .friends for a few days.

Tho employees of tho Tokomaru station gave, 'Very nieo littlo danco on Saturday ovoning, tho attendance was small, an d ns usual, more Indies than gontlemen, but nevertheless a most enjoyable ovoning was spoilt. Mr F. Hooper dispensing music in his very best form. Tho catoring and other arrangomonts being in the hands of Mr Hwinnorton, vvoro nil that could ho dcsirod. For Coronation Day an effort is to bo ruado to play of! tho linal match against tiro Waipiro footballers, and probably a dance and ping-pong tournament for the evening.

TOLAGO BAY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of tho Maori Council and interested land-owners, to consider the question of allotting an area for town site, vido my report of last woek, was held at Ilauiti on Saturday night, a largo number being present. Scvorul of tlio Natives woro at first inclined to favor tho idea, as they considered a little ready capital would bo of privato assistance, hut when tho principals had thoroughly debated tho pros and cons, and tho motion put, it was nogativod by a full bouse to nil. It is quito ovident that an impression has boon crcatod amongst tho Natives that the iliuropoans aro inclined to monopolise, and further, should it bo their desiro to acquire, town sites, then Tolago Bay had boon granted for such purpose, and until thoso sections had all been takon up, it was then ainplo timo to further seriously consider tlio question. A meeting of all thoso interested in Coronation rejoicings is convened by the energetic secretary of tho Uawa Athletic Club, to bo hold at Tolago Bay, on tho night of tho 31st, to discuss a befitting arrangement for the occasion, and it is to bo hoped a largo meeting with comparatively good result will mark the true sense of our loyalty. Again energy, unity, and harmony, has its varied good effects. It slowly but assuredly manifests us boforo tho outside public, and acts pecuniarily as an advertising medium at tho oxponso of the press. “ That is one also for Tolago.” Sinco my last report wo havo been enjoying splendid weathor, refreshed by a limited fall |of ram on Sunday morning, cold nights and frosty mornings havo paid their usual tribute. Tho Omapero has made quito a record trip on this occasion, leaving for Auckland and returning within the week, instead of her usual fortnightly trip. Wo wonder whothor it is tho intention of tho Union Company to continue that highly satisfactory service. Wo unanimously hope so. Groat consternation has been created amongst tho Natives, respecting a portion of land which soveral yoars ago had bcou verbally dedicated to tho Church of England, and tho greater portion thereof being unfenced, and near to iho Mormon church, one of tho principal Native wardens thereof has infringed upon tho right of gift, and soeured tho said land for varied purposes. A notice of trespass is about.to be sorvod, and, failing its object, tho usual eourso of litigation will follow. It will bo of interest should tho latter en sue, owing to tho complicated state of tho Nativo lands, and tho manner in which they assert it has boen ceded. Sinco writing tho above I hear tho disputed land has been settled by arbitration, in favor of tho Church of England, conditionally, that tho occupation shall bo exclusively for rights pertaiuing to tho Church of England, and not to bo trospassod by others than thoso direotly concerned.

COOK MEMORIAL,

TOLAGO WANTS IT.

Oiu- l'olago Bay correspondent writes jt is of interest to note tho general ap peal of Gisborne towards a Captain Cook memorial, and if I am at liberty to voieo tho sentiment of your readers, I must staunchly advocate Dr Williams’ suggestion re Kaiti Hill, which would bo heartily approved of by other thinkers, and tend to further vindicate your wisdom. Despooling financial support from our division, I am afraid you cannot, without disappointment, oxpcct groat contributions, but we I hope to assist. It is on dit that a dance is to bo hold, and tho proceeds, if any (like the questionable Government surplus), aro to bo dovoted to that cause. But, rHit hero, I note a p.s.: “Wo want tho monument at Takanga, Cook’s Cove, ovor Cook's Well." Well, if so, why devote all towards the Gisborne scheme? Wo do feel warmly disposed to recognise that historical event, and tho fallacy of swamping our meagre pittances in an isolated situation several miles distant from hero, to be greeted by tho angry billows and tho soveral persons who may perchance go that way, is, I think, a matter for consideration. Certainly, we may feel proud of lha tact’that Captain Cook is alleged to have landed at the above-stated place and dug a miniature woll in a sandstone rock, which is filled by a porennial and rippling stream flowing over it, and tho name “ Captain Cook’’ is engraved immediately below tho well. 1 would suggest that tho initiative be taken to protect the work of our departed navigator; which rock, by tho way, is being disfigured by tho names of thoughtless and destructive individuals who visit tho scene. A\lien,! subject to later progressive developments of our district, other measures be then instituted, perhaps tho subject matter will bo doalt with at our Coronation meeting. 'j.'he scenery er, route by way of the circuitous bridle track, with the gigantic arch of undermiued sandstone and the several immenso sea-washed caves, is doubtless picturesque in its wild state of wild preservation, and is well worthy of a visit, especiallly to tho romantic-inclined.