LATE COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 812, 29 January 1903, Page 3

LATE COAST NEWS.

SEASIDE EXCURSIONS,

By our advertising columns it will be seen that arrangements have been made by Mr W. S. Sinclair, of the Masonic Stables, to run regular trips to Tatapouri, and residents of Gisborne will thus be able to visit this delightful soaside resort on most seasonable terms. The return faro, including two days’ board at the Tatapouri Hotel, has been fixed at 12s 6d, and this moderate amount should induce townspeople to undertake the trip. The Tatapouri Hotel, under the able management of Mr Allen Warburton, offers excellent accommodation to visitors, and anyone making the trip can rely on receiving all tho comforts of a home. No efforts are being spared by Mr Warburton to make Tatapouri an attractive resort for visitors, and we feel sure that during the summer months his hotel will be well patronised. MAIL SERVICE.

Now that a coach is running to Tolago four times a week, it would be as well for tho Postal Department to keep up with the times and arrange for a mail to bo forwarded each day. At present a contract is held for a bi-weekly service, but that should not prevent the Department making a similar arrangement for the despatch of D a mail on the other two days. Tolago Bay is every day growing in importance, and the revenue received by the Department fully justifies every consideration being paid to the wants of the settlers. WAIAPU SHEEP DOG TRIAL.

By advertisement it will be seen that the eighth meeting of the Waiapu Sheep Dog Trial Club is to bo held on Wednesday and Thursday, April Ist and 2nd, at Mr Busby’s, Tokomaru Bay. Substantial money prizes are being offered, and the mooting promises to bo tho most successful yet held. Entries closo on Saturday, 21st March, with the Secretary, Mr W. Oates, at the To Puka Hotel, Tokomaru Bay. TAKAPAU ESTATE.

PURCHASED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

Our coastal readers will be interested to loam that tho Government has purchased Mr James Macfarlane’s Takapau estate. The area of the property is 10,470 acres, and it is mostly hill land of good quality, which would bo eminently adapted for cutting into small holdings suitable for dairying. The price, so wo are informed by our Wellington correspondent, has not yet been rnado public, but is understood to bo about jC6 per acre, and tho proporty is to be cut up for settlement at an early date. Tho purchase of Takapau will be bailed with satisfaction in the Tolago Bay district, and should mark the beginning of a more prosperous era for that place. _ It is to be hoped that it is but the beginning of an active policy of land settlement on the East Coast, where thore are many large areas of fine flats in tho hands of the natives which could be put to a much more profitable account. The property is a valuable one and has been much improved by Mr Macfarlane. It is the first large estate that has been acquired by the Government in this district, and we feel sure the success of the venture will be such a 9 will lead them to take over other large areas of native lands and to open them up to settlement. The price paid for the property is a reasonable one, and should enable it to be offered for selection on most reasonable terms.