MOTU NOTES

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 892, 15 May 1903, Page 2

MOTU NOTES

(I-rom Our Own Correspondent.)

The settlers of Motu seem eager to enter the dairy industry and partake of its beneficial Elects. The climate, soil, aud grass are in its favor, and only require the industry to be started to ensure its success. A meeting of settlers will oe held at Motu to-morrow to consider the proposal to erect a factory (proprietary concern), and if sufficient support is forthcoming a factory will be erected in time for next season. Already verbal promises of support have been made to the extent of 350 cows. After a long spell of dry weather we are having a change. Rain set in last Sunday and has continued incessantly ever since, with no signs of abatement. All the rivers and creeks are in high flood, and travelling is almost impossible. I notice Mr Richardson is having an extensive cow and hay shed erected in view of dairying, also that Mr J. Thompson has just completed a fine dwelling house on his property at Whakarau. It will be remembered by some that the Motu people approached the Government some time ago with tiie view of erecting a telephone line from To Karaka to Motu. The Government declined to do so. However, not to bo outdone, the Motu settlers decided to orect the line by private subscriptions. At present the line has been completed to Whakarau, twelve miles from Motu, and the sum of T 25 is required to complete it. Every settler in the Motu has given from T 1 to £5, and now their funds are exhausted. Considering the business and the advantage to bo derived from the completion of the line to the business people of Gisborne, they will not bo offended if I ask them to contribute a fair share of this M 5 ;in fact feel certain they will gladly assist us in an endeavor to complete the important work.