EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1783, 14 June 1906, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

[TOKOMARUj

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The funeral of the late Rev. Matiaha Pahewa took place here on Thursday last and was largely -attended The chur--h was filled by Maoris and Europeans, who joined in showing respect to one who had by his godly life endeared himself to all 3he Native school was closed, and the children and teachers attended the funeral. All flags in the bay were at half-ma3t, and a number of wreaths were sent by the European residents. A message of sympathy was received from the Hon. James Carroll, who truly voiced the sentiments of the people when he said that the Rev. Matiaha Pahewa s place will be hard to fill. The Revs. Nikora, Tolago, and Aperahama, Tuparoa, conducted the funeral service, which was very solemn and impressive and all in the Maori language. Among recent township improvements it must be noted that Messrs Connelly Bros, have extended their business to include a saddlery department. An additional frontage of 16Et. has been added to their buildings, and anew shop erected to suit requirements. This tends to show that the I prospects and stability of trade are good in Tokomaru.

FOOTBALL. , The senior Oup matph, Tokomaru v. Tolago, played here on Saturday last, was won by the former by 11* points to 3 four tries, one of which was converted to one try The teams were : Tokomaru : Full back, Wi Pewhairangi; threequarters, Newton ; captain, A. Matahiki'; five-eighths, C. Hyland; half, Parker and Piper ; wings, El Potae and Cockery ; forwards, _ T. Potae, Rawhiti, Jamieson, Brooking.; Richardson, Hqnia, and W. Gerrard,’ Tolago : Full-back, Whare Rangi ’ three-quarters, W. Walker, P. Cleary’ and Johnson ; five eighths, Scoon half, J. Rangi; wing, P. Burns ; cap tain, J. Thornton ; forwards, It. Moore, A. Rangiuia, Tuara, Noanoa, Grant, Nelson and H. Pokaihau. The first spell consisted mainly of forward rushes, and line-kicking by the backs. It was fairly even. Towards the end W. Gerrard, who was playing a fine forward game, scored for Tokomaru as the result of a forward rush. This try was disputed by some of the Tolago Bay players on the ground that obstruction took place just before the score was made. The referee did not notice any breach of rules, nor as it happened did either of the line umpires. The play in the second 40 minutes was very fast, and Tokomaru had the best of it, their forwards and backs getting better to work and showing much better form and combination than they have previously displayed this season. Gerrard scored again and converted his own try. Newton scored the next try, the ball being heeled out smartly to Piper, who transferred to Parker. Parker beat his man and passed to Matahiki, who drew his opponents round him and passed smartly to the speedy Newton, who scored easily. It was a pretty piece of concerted work, and well de- | served the applause the spectators gave it. Tokomaru’s last try was also good. From a scrum Piper passed to Hyland, r who made a strong run and scored

near tho corner Hag. Tho plaoo-kiok-ing was bad. Tho roforoo did not al~ low Tokomaru tho kick at goal for tho Inst try, bocauao tho kickor touchod tho ball wlion it was put on tho ground by tho placor. Tho only try acorod by Tolago was undoubtedly tho boat bit of individual play of tho day. W, Walker intorcoptod a _ pass at I about tho half-way mark. By judicious [ and well-timed kicking, and by his remarkable turn of spood ho succoodod in crossing tho opponents’ lino and gainod tho try ho had so woll playod for. Mr Sigloy roforood, and sorno of his decisions did not givo satisfaction to a soction of tho Tolago toam. Ho had to caution ono Tokomaru playor. Tho lino umpires woro Messrs Fairlie and Howetson. Howovor, tho best toam undoubtedly won, and tho referee so controlled tho game that it was playod in tho usual friendly spirit of rivalry that exists in games between the two townships. A section of tho Tokomaru bavrackers did not bohavo too well, but as the Kugby Union has no control over the local football ground, the referee could [not deal effectively with those uho persisted in encroaching on tho field of play. It is hoped that in future matches hero tho spectators who aro for fair-play (and they are in tho majority) will assist tho ollicials in keeping tho linos cleared, and by their impartiality in applauding good play on either side, check the uncalled-for hooting and boo-hooing of tho lusty-lunged bar- j rackors who can seo good points only in his own pot team |

’i’hoso players who did best for Tokomaru were Gerrard, Brooking, Newton, Wi Powhairangi, Matahiki, Oockery, and for Tolago, Pokaihau, Noanoa, W. Rangi, Walker, Tuara, Nelson and Moore, After more practice a good representative team should be got from these two teams. The Tolago team were unfortunate in not being able to get the services of J. McNeil for this match. He is captain I of their Tolago team but could not travel on this occasion. Several good forwards were also absent. It is nearly always the case that the travelling Coast team plays at a disadvantage, and the Tokomaru Club had similar difficulties when their team visited Tolago on May 26th.

A meeting of the Union wa3 held after the match, and it was resolved that tho next game be at Tolago on June 23rd, with Mr King as referee. The Tokomaru Football Club has applied to the Poverty Bay Rugby Union for permission to play either the Kaiti-City or West-End senior teatn in Gisborne on July 7th. The club has now 46 members on roll, and no effort will be spared to send a good fifteen down, and the club deserves credit for its enterprise. A dance was held on Saturday evening to raise funds for the expenses of the team, and a profit of £5 was realised. The slavers are showing such interest in i;he’ event, that on Saturday evening next they will meet for the purpose of hearing a lecture on rules by our football experts. When it is understood that the men will have to come distances of from 10 to 20 miles to attend this lecture it will be realised that they mean business.

POUAWA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Juno 11. A striking example of the endurance of the horse under privations, was noted lately on the property of Mr Andrews, Waiomoko. AMr Burgess lost the run of his hack- there some

time ago, and for over three weeks nothing could be seen of the animal. However, when Mr Andrews was taking a look round he came unexpectedly on the long lost horse feeding away in the open, but in a very emaciated condition. Being curious to find out where the unfortunate beast had been all the time he had a look round and was able to retrace the tracks from whence it came and found | it had been tethered up in supplejack in a small clump of bush, and had actually gnawed its way to freedom, in one or two instances chewing through vines nearly an inch in diameter. The animal was no less than twenty-three days in all hung up in the bush. Enough in itself to test the vitality of the majority of the equine race. Coming as it has in micUwinter it may go hard with the prisoner, but let us hope he will pull through. The settlers here are busy crutching and generally preparing their flocks for winter quarters and the outjoqk sq fay is very Satisfactory. The few showers we have had lately and yesterday’s rain have softened the roads a little but even then they are in good condition for the time of the year. The Pouawa inland crossing at the beach, that for some time was pretty deep owing to the river being sanded up at the mouth, is now in its usual condition again, a slight freshet having effected a clearance, thereby allowing the surplus water to escape,

THE COURT.

Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., left yesterday morning upon his quarterly official visit to the Coast. He was accQtnpanied by Messrs T. Alston Coleman and H. Bright. In addition to judicial duties Mr Barton will give attention to matters in his capacity as chairman of the licensing Committee.

The following touching message regsrliDg the late Premier was wired to Mr A. L. D. Fraser by the Hon. J. Oarroil: “My fiiend, our parent has responded to the final oall. He has gone, falling at the hands of the sola arbiter and vanquisher. Go you, the guide of iha canoe of destiny, the anchorage g.ound of tribal welfare, go by the paths trodden by history,' worn by the iilustrions dead To us alone is tbo va'ley of Borrow. Enough, friend. We bowito death, yet in this death we find a wearying influence that binds and b ds us to be strong. Differences and d vergenoies of yore should pass' away and in their plaoo there should arise a monummt to our dead, the losson from whioh should be a new borizm, the horizon of great works to do, This work done, no mire sacred shrine cou’d be ereo'.ed than to speak of him who sowed the seed.”