EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1016, 8 October 1903, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

TOKOMARU BAY, (From Our Own Correspondent.) During all last week steady rain fell. This was much needed all along the Coast, and feed is now plentiful. Docking operations have been put hack somewhat, but as the line weather may now be expected, this work will soon he put through, and as before mentioned, there is a heavy crop of lambs. Several bushfalling contracts arc completed, and as each party comes in business brightens up and the dullness experienced during the .Winter disappears. The Herald on her way up last week landed thirty tons of cargo arid sixteen passengers. The Aotca also landed a considerable quantity of cargo on her way up. Mr and Mrs Cotterell, laic of the Te Puka Hotel, have returned to the district ; also Mrs T. Frampton. Mr VV. D. S. Macdonald has been on a visit to the Coast, and has made some large sheep deals. The Rev. O. Fitzgerald and Mr D. J. Thornton returned on Sunday from Napier, the former attending the Synod and the latter enjoying a well-earned holiday. As secretary of the Waiapu Rugby Union, Mr Thornton has had a busy time this Winter, and the Clubs are to he congratulated on possessing such a capable and energetic Secretary of the Union. The annual meeting of the local Cricket Club will be held on Saturday evening, October 19th, at the Te Puka Hotel.

TUPAROA, (From Our Own Correspondent.) 'At the annual meeting of the Tuparoa Cricket Club, the following officers were elected President, Mr E. R. Ludbrook ; • vice-presidents, Messrs It. S. Williams, G. W. Trimnell, H. W. Brodrick, J. J. P’ry, R. Wicksteed. A match is to be played on the 17th, Christ College Old Boys v. an East Coast team. The Club being well off for bats, balls, a net, matting, etc., it will not require a large expenditure this year. .Mr G. Kelly has completed a private telephone from Mr T. Reidy’s residence to the post-office. Two more deaths have occurred this week, being two Natives, one at Tuparoa and the other at Mangahanca.

We have had a considerable rainfall this week, which has impeded the progress of docking.

IMPORTANT DECISION. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday came on the, caso of W. F. Hale v. A. Reeves (heard at Tolago Boy), for driving stock through plaintiff's land without giving notice to the owner and occupier. Mr Rees, for defendant, stated tbat the defendant intended to raise as a further defence leave and license on the part of the owners of the land, and on his application the ease was referred back to the Tolago Bay Court for further hearing.—His Worship intimated that ho had come to the conclusion that tho informant was an occupier within the moaning of the Act, and if so was entitled to notice from defendant, but the labd being Native land and his giving notice to each occupier wo'tild have entailed considerable trouble and igxpense, His Worship was of opinion that 1 , notice posted in a conspicuous part of the road would have been sufficient compliance with the Act.—Mr Rees said this was an important decree from the Court.

SHEEP-STEALING. Our Waipiro correspondent that there has been a considerable amount of sheep-stoaling on the Coast for some time past, and a case which occured at Makarika station a few days ago, will cause au investigation. A couple of sheep were killed and were left hanging at Mr Sherwood’s. Next morning it was noticed that one of tho sheep hanging up was of an inferior quality to that which had been killed. This led to enquiry, and it was found that three sheep had been killed, and that the body of one had been substituted for one of those killed, which with the other two had been carried away. The affair was reported to Constable Gerrard, and he arrested on suspicion Hone Wiwi, Wi King, Hone Puhata, and Rawira Taewa, who are being sent to Port Awanui, where they will be brought before Justices.

A LAND SLIP. DRIVING PARTY HAVE NARROW ESCAPE. A narrow escape from a serious buggy accident occurred between Tolago Bay and Tokomaru on Tuesday afternoon, owing to a heavy landslip. A trap from the Masonic Stables in Gisborne had been sent for from Awanui to bring Judge Gill and others to town, and at the same time take Mr Brooking, Registrar of the Native Land Court, up the Coast. One or two others beside the driver were in the trap at the time of the accident. Whilst the vehicle was travelling at a fair rate the landslip occurred, the fall of earth burying the trap, whilst Mr Brooking was severely hurt. Fortunately the County Engineer, Mr O’Ryan, was proceeding to Waipiro, and being quiokly upon tbs scene of the accident, with the assistance of a number of natives, soon got the trap and horseß clear. The vehicle was considerably damaged, and one of tho horses was badly injured.