EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1932, 14 November 1906, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

TOKOMARU

!(From Our Own Correspondent.)

This week is note-wortliy in the history of Tokomaru, marking as it docs the opening of the new Post Office. Messrs Frank “Vright and Whiting, of Auckland, have now completed their contract and the District Engineer, Mr Armstrong, has passed the job. Tho building will stand inspection as it is up to date in every particular and will certainly meet the requirements of the Bay for many years to come. There is every convenience both for the publio and the officials, and the contractors have put in some elaborate and artistic work that gives a very pleasing effect. The building, gable-fronted, has a frontage of 31ft 6in and a depth of 54ft 6in. The chief room is the mail-room 20ft by 19ft 6in. It is tastefully painted in various tints, has a fire-place and is properly furnished, including a polished counter. Off this are the Telephone Exchange room and a room fitted with sixteen private letter-boxes. Tho public bureau is conveniently placed, and the public are given ample space for the transaction of business. The door between the lobby and the public space is fitted with Norton’s air-spring. Ventilation and light aro both good and due provision is made in case of fire. Everything has been done to make the surroundings in keeping with tho excellence of the building, a picket fence having been erected in front of the section and a boarded fence sft high along tho sides and back. The Post Master, Mr Williams, should be highly pleased with the completeness of office requirements and with tho residential portion. Tho old offico looks insignificant by the side of the new one, but the comparison shows better than words can describe it, the progress’ of the township in the last few years, Tne holiday, tbe King'd Birthday, was spoilt by raio. After many weeks of fine weather, a ohaDg9 sos in on the 9th, and by 12 o’olock it was raining heavily. Gardena and tanka required rain, but tbe orickot ma'.oh was stopped. Our local team was playiDg an tleven from Waipico and Tuparoe, Complete arrange-

moots had been made for the gams, tbe Tokomaru Club having prepaied a fair wicket and fenced off a portion of tho o.eek with wire-netting in order to im proto the cricket ground, of whioh by tho way the main road forms a portion. Waipiro won tho toss, and elected to bat. Tnoy wero all disposed of for tho small total of 49 runt, Ludbrook who usually sticks up tho bowling hero being got rid of before he reached doubles figarte. W. and J. Oates did tho main part of the bowling for tho local team, and scoured good

avorages. Tekimaru started their firet innings and got 14 runs ior no wickets when the heavy rain (stopped tbe miloh fin illy. Beale captainod tho visitors and E. O. Connolly the local team. It is proposed to play another ma'.oh on Satucday next, when the Waipiro team wili again visit Tokomaru.

FORT AWANUI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ;

When wo have no nows, talk of the weather. Well, we have had a very quiet fortnight, but the welcome rain set in on Thursday and continues showory, and we hope to see heavy rain all night, as all the tanks in Awanui aro nearly dry after the long tp II of dry, hot wealher. The Haupiri was boro Friday, and took away tbe first shipment of 65 bales of woe!.

Me James Knox has returned from his

tr : p to the Old Country, and locks all tbe hc-tser ior tho trip. Ho Btates ho caw many improvements, but in many oasee, especially farming, they are a hundred years behind the oolonies.

TE ARAROA,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Another month has slipped by, and ao ideal one it has been in t is part of tbe district, The rainfall for Ootcber was 3 33 icohes, rain falling on 14 days. Tbe woathor has been quite eammer-hko, a f. w days bßiog almost hoi enough for mid» summer. The roads have dried up .wonderfully, which is a boon to wgji

. cartora, shearing boiDg tho orlor of the day. Tho wool is coming off tho shocp in good condition, aud ovoryouo aooms sanguiuo that Iboy will have satisfactory olips. Early on tho morning of tho UOth ovory ono’s curiosity was aroused by Bering dcrißO olouds of smoko from ft bush firo, and tho gonoral opinion sootned lo bo thut it was from one of tho local settlors’ oon--Itnota, which must have boen set alight by accident. I>, however, turned out to be I an accidental fi o in fallen bush further down tho ooast, whioh I bcliovo did a great deal of damage. x , During tho month Ospt. Slunnor took off a good largo shipment of timbor in tho Ivnco from tho Ivokotoa sawmills for Mr I Holt, of Waikura, Whucgaparoa, Mr lan Simson, Crown Lands Bangor, has boon rouud on o visit of inspection. Tbo engagement is: announced of Mr T, Wolford, of Port Awauui, to Miss Brooking, oldest daughter of Mr J, A. Brooking, | of Woiomatatini. Mr W. Grayson, of Tj Araroa, has left on n trip to England for tho bonofit of his health, and it is to bo hoped that ho will havo a successful trip and return with his health quite restored. Mr H. Campbell, of Kiriiahi, is also away in Gisborne, having been laid up for soma timo with a nasty attack of soiatioa.