MAKATOTE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 6, 30 November 1906, Page 3

MAKATOTE.

A scheme is on foot to transfer the Worker's Hall at Oio to Makatote, and a number of workers have started clearing the site for the re-erection of the building. A number of workmen have been brought up from Christchurch by Messrs J. and A. Anderson, contractors for the Makatote viaduct, in order to push the work ahead. Rev. Father Millard, of Raetihi, held Mass last Sunday, at which he had a large congregation. I am pleased to say that the repairing of the- Manganui-o-teao bridge will be completed by the end of the present year. Vehicles will then be able to pass right through from Raurimu to Raetihi. Makatote has been favoured with very fine weather during the past week, consequently the workers have greatly benefitted. The metalling of the road between Makatote and Raetihi has gone on apace, and now there are only some few miles of the road to be completed. After New Year a daily coach service will be established between Makatote and Raetihi, and no doubt a number of tourists and others journeying from Auckland to Wellington will, by travelling over-land, be able to avail themselves of the mountain and bush scenery which is unsurpassed in New Zealand, and any traveller spending a day or two here will find himself well repaid when he has explored the hidden beauties of the gorge and inspected the immense works of the Makatote viaduct

A school is an urgent need just now, and representations have been made by the residents of Makatote to the Education Board and an inspector from Auckland is expected to arrive here shortly to make a report on the matter.

I am pleased to say that the epidemic of influenza, which has been prevalent about this district for some time, has now practically disappeared. A sacred concert was held on Sunevening last in a commodious room which was kindly lent for the 6ccasion by Mr Patterson. There was a large attendance, and a substantial sum of money was collected, and will be handed over to the Rev. Mr Bush, Wesleyan Missionary. Mr H. A. Campbell acted as chairman, and the following ladies and gentlemen contributed items to the programme : Mesdames Anderson and Campbell, Misses Anderson, Devereux, Turnbull, and Messrs Warsop, Dickie and others. In his remarks, the Chairman, when passing a vote of thanks, expressed the hope that this concert should be the forerunner of many others in Makatote. The evening closed with the audience singing "God save the King."