EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1387, 23 February 1905, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

' HICKS BAY.. '(From Our Own Correspondent,

The weather here has been cold during the past few days, and rain has several times threatened, but not muoh bos fallen, * One or two heavy showers would do any 1 amount of good, as the ground is very dry and all the streams ond gullies aro dried _ up. The crops ure rather backward, but, although in need of rain aro looking healthy and give promise of a good yield. The Natives havo taken advantage of the continued dry weather to work at their potato and kumara plots, and somo of the formor are looking very well. •A little while ago a Native named Wotini Keiha died hero. Ho was the only I son of Wiremu Keiha, a noted ohief of this | part. Ho was aooorded a great funoral many Natives from ail parts of the Coast attending the tangi over his remains. During tho past year several new Na- | live houses have gone up in Hick’s Bay, and aro an improvement on the old raupo hut. Being built of timber and raised from the ground they strike one as being healthier and more comfortable than tho old wbare. Xn every case these houses have been erected by their Native owners. Tho recent cold weather has been detrimental to the health of tho community and siokness is present hero. Most of the children and some of the adults are suffering from colds, which in somo oases are attended by headaches and drowsiness ; and j the work of the school hns been affected by | tho sickness of the children

Game is said to bo plentiful in tho bush this year, and local sportsmen hope to secure some good bags when tho shooting season opens. .Fish, which at this time of the year are usually plentiful, seem to have gone to new waters, as several parties who have been out lately have had poor luck.

TUPAROA,

.(From Onr Own Correspondent.) : February 18.

Tho weather has been very favorable for the grass-seed sowing that is going on on several blocks of land in the surrounding districts. An inquest was held at Mangahanea last Tuesday morning, before Mr E. K. Ludbrook, J.P., acting coroner, and a jury -of six, namely, E. S- Williams (foreman), M. P. Poole, J. W. Trimnell, B. Walker, W. Beale and Hemi Whakarara, into the circumstances attending the death of Kataruia Pataka Parikopa Awatoro, being the result of a trap accident on Saturday afternoon, Fobruary lltb. After hearing tho evidence of Porikopa Awatere, the father of deceased, who was driving past just as tho accident happened, the jury brought in a verdict of - accidental death, the result of a trap accident, there being no blame attachable to anyone. The Herald arrived hero on Thursday afternoon, after discharging 12 tons of cargo and eight Romney rams, consigned to T. S. Williams, from Hawke’s Bay,, she shipped fifteen rams for Auckland, and left for the above named port in the evening. Great sympathy is felt here for Mrs Butler, of Awanui. in the los3 of her'husband, who died at Tokomaru on Wednesday morning, after a.painful but short illness- 5

The Waiapn Racing Club has been able to :geS an amicable settlement with the Hatives in regard to their raoecource at Mangahanae, and have drawn up the programme and submitted it for approval to the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, on reoeipt of which a detailed programme will be published in the Times, also posters will be distributed in the surrounding districts. The added money will amount to JEIOO for the day’s racing, and the day fixed for nominations will be the 18th of March, and the races will be held on Monday, March 27th, subject to the approval of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club.

PORT AWANUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ~l: February 18. I The funeral of the last Mr Charles But- I ler took place last Thursday at Te Horo cemetery, and a large number of friends J from all parts of the district came to pay | their last tribute of respect to his memory. The Rev. Mr Fitzgerald conducted the Burial Service. Flags were flown half- ! mast, and businoss places and schools wore closed. The death of Mr Butler cast quite a gloom over the whole district. AwanuL I has lost a very popular and much respected resident. Ho was a generous j friend to every one who needed assistance, and was ever ready to help in social matters. The greatest sympathy is felt for the bereaved widow and relatives of the doceased.

WHANGARA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) February 2L_ Mr Whitohouae opened the Pakarae hall last evening with his well known biograph entertainment, and was received by a large and appreciative audience, who thoroughly enjoyed the undoubted treat provided for them. Tho programme consisted of some splendia scenes, interspersed with phonograph songs, solos, and instrumental pieces, and clever conjuring by Professor Kershaw. The pictures shown were of high excellence, including the bombardment of Port Arthur, International football match (England v. Scotland), Mr Chamberlain's , landing at I Southampton,, etc., and a fine series of biotint pictures of great morit, which were I the. feature -of the evening. The corrno scenes were perhaps be3t enjoyed by the I young people, but also provided a sideI splitting laugh for all. Professor Kershaw proved a splendid entertainment in himself, every trick performance being both laughable and mystifying. Tho card trie! I in.the handkerchief, and slate writing wer< ! fine specimens of the conjuror’s art. 1 Mr Wbitehousa is proceeding up tht coast as'far as Awanni, showing at the different townships on the way. Ho wil I probably show ngain at Pakarae in I week’s time if sufficient inducement offers

I After the entertainment the hall wa cleared, and the light fantastic was in aulgea in till well on in the morning, ti the satisfaction and enjoyment of all pre seat. -