COUNTRY NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2202, 4 October 1907, Page 1

COUNTRY NEWS.

RAKAUROA. (from our correspondent.) September, 28tli. A woll-attended meeting of settlers was hold in the Rakauroa School on the 28th inst. Tho first business taken was receiving notice of Alessrs. Hutchinson’s refusal to allow any carting or stock driving through AVaihulca station until tlie road line was fenced, and paid for. This is a very serious matter for the Rakauroa settlers, as, in addition to having raised a loan of £2,500 for tlio road, they have subscribed a sum of £7O to make a connection with the ..present Ngatapa-Rakauroa road to enable them to take advantage of tho formation already completed. After discussion of the matter a deputation was appointed to wait on Alessrs Hutchinson with regard to tho matter, to see if any arrangement of the matter could be arrived at; also to wait uiion tho Cook County Council and urge that the fencing bo dono at once if possible, and tlie land paid for. It was freely allowed by the meeting that it was a decided hardship on the owners of tho land that any delay should occur in the matter.

Air. Redpatli informed the meeting that the shares in the Alotu Saleyards Company wore promised to nearly tho requisite amount of 300 £1 shares, and all who wished to apply for shares in tho said Company were invited to do so.

It was resolved that in accordance with the wishes of a meeting held at Alotu, re medical attendance, Alessrs. J. B. Clark, and G. Redpath be appointed to act as delegates from Rakauroa in trying to formulate a scheme of mutual assistance in the matter, • i Subsequent Jo the general meeting, a meeting of tlio Rakauroa branch of the Farmers’ Union was held. Answers to communications from the branch urging the vigorous xirosecution of the Tahiti road were received from tlie Public AVorks Office, both letters promising careful consideration of the jpiittpv, It was resolved to communicate with tlie Postmaster-General asking that a Afoney Order office be established at Rakauroa; also to communicate with the Alotu branch of the Farmers’ Union, asking their co-op-eration with this branch in urging upon the Postal authorities' the advantage it would be to residents of Alotu and Rakauroa if the mails could he carried from Gisborne on Alondays and Thursdays, returning on Tuesdays and Friday's. This would secure prompt receipt of both outgoing and incoming Northern and Southern mails, am] with the trail} running .to Build, it ought to -bo possible, as well as a great convenience to passengers by coach during tho summer months.

If was resolved that the Public AVorks Department bp written tp, per Hoii. Jas. Carroll, urging that It miles of pack track on AVaikohu A T alley road bo widened for dray traffic, to allow of the settlers getting tiler wool out. _ Previously tho sheep have been driven out and in for shearing, but this has hcen abandaned in favour of shearing at a new woolshed erected at Torohiwi.

It was resolved that the Hon. Jas. Carrol lie written to urging him to use liis best endeavours to have tho railway completed as far a AVaihuka; also that another section of earthwork bo pub in hand at once. As this was proposed tp have been dono by tlie lato Minister of Public AVorks 12 months ago, the work ought to be vigorously prosecuted now. It was resolved further that the secretary write to tho Cook CounTy Council, expressing approval of that body’s action in refusing to guarantee tlie salary of a signalman on the proposed railway and traffic bricjge at the AA r illow Crossing,