EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2057, 18 April 1907, Page 1

EAST COAST NEWS.

WAIPIRO BAY. (From our own Correspondent.) In spite of the unfavorable weather we have experienced during the last week the cricket match, Waipiro v. Tolaga Bay, was not allowed to fall through. The condition of the ground after the night’s rain was not exactly conducive to good cricket, but as tho weather this past season has not afforded many opportunities of playing the game was a very enjoyable one notwithstanding. The Tolaga Bay team were the first to bat, putting up tho respectable score of 70 for their innings, and giving the Waipiro team an idea of what they had to accomplish. The home team, however, were quite equal to the occasion, their score totalling 90 at tho fall of the last wicket, Waipiro thus winning the match by 20 runs. The splendid lunch and afternoon, tea provided on the ground by Mrs. Cave were partaken of very heartily, and helped very materially to the day’s enjoyment.

The resignation of the headmaster of our school has been the cause of many expressions of regret. The teacher (Mr. Pole) appointed to relieve Mr. J. Robson should arrive early during the coming week. On taking leave of the children on Friday last, tho master was completely surprised by being presented with a case of silver-backed hair brushes on behalf of the children and assistant mistress, one of the boys (Joseph Woodford) making the presentation and expressing the feelings of his schoolfellows in a very near little speech. TE ARAROA. To Araroa has been having more than its fair share of wot and stormy weather, which has been keeping things back. The steamer has been very unlucky in having bad Wpntjipr for her visits, and in consequence there is still a good deal of wool lying awaiting shipment for Gisborne and Napier. The rainfall for February was 11.70 inches in 12 days, the heaviest fall being on tho 14th, 4.83 inches. March was a very wot month, although the rainfall was not heavy, tho total being 8.55 inches on 28 days, the heaviest fall being 1.70 on the 18th. The roads are in a wet state, never getting much chance to dry. The contractors are getting on with the road formation contracts, a section of 107 chains being completed, but the weather has been against them, and unless we get some dry weather the now parjis ’.yijl not have much chance to set, as the least traffic cuts them up badly.

The building trade is brisk in Te Araroa. Mr, Hawkins has jligt had extensive additions and alterations to his hotel and store carried out, which are a decided improvement, find make his establishment one of the most comfortable and up-to-date on the Coast. The bar, which is a roomy and most up-to-date one, billiardroom and store are in one building quite apart from the old building, which is now to he used entirely for accommodation- Mr, Liddell is having an extensive addition to jiis store, at which the carpenters are working, and Mr. Hovell is erecting a large concert and dancing hall 66ft by 26ft on his town section.

Buslifclling is in full swing, and there are still sections to be let, men being rather scarce with so much road work, etc., going op. Thorp will probably be about 2600 acres put down this winter by the white settlers, and if the natives keep up the energy they showed last year in falling on their own blocks there should be a good deal more felled. The natives are at present busy digging their kumnra crops,and everywhere one hears of good returns, large kumaras and plenty of them. Mr. and Mrs. H. DeLautour have just returned' from a trip to Australia, calling at the Exhibition en April 12.