OKATO.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 63, 8 February 1895, Page 2

OKATO.

(Oue Own Tuesday morning. It raineth muchly, which brings the one subject which is exercising the minds of the Okato settlers more prominently to the front than any argument put forth previously. The Harbour Board election pales into insigificance in the face of the necessity for immediate action being taken by the County Council to rebuild the Kaihihi bridge. A meeting of settlers was held at the Dairy Factory on Friday morning last, Cr McCullum being present, when various proposals were formulated. The oue which found most favour was that the -

settlers should provide a sum named if the Council could give them security for the advance, the bridge to be put in hand- at once, so as to be completed before winter. I believe some of the settlers would be only too pleased to adopt the suggestion of my Warea friend for a tollgate to pay for its erection, sooner than have to contend with the difficulties ot fording the stream in a flood, like what is coming down just now. Borne milk suppliers to the factory got over with their milk, and after delivering it, took their empty drays across the river, as they were afraid they would not bo able to cross if they stopped for their skim milk, the river being rising rapidly. The through coach crossed at noon with difficulty, lines being attached to the leaders, and when they landed on terra firma a cheer was given by the onlookers for the successful handling of the ribbons by the driver in such a difficult passage of a fast-flowing river.

Mr Bagshawe, of the Crown Company, and Mr Ching, of Opunake, had to both stop for the night, not being able to ford the stream. A large number of milk suppliers could not cross, and went on to the Oxford Road Creamery. I hear that the Timaru (Tatarmaki) Factory is stopped, the river having blocked the wheel, the suppliers from there going on to Oakuva. Wednesday morning. The river has fallen a little, so that Mr McCullum crossed successfully with his coach. The weather seems slightly clearer.