HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 242, 4 August 1877, Page 2

HAWERA.

August 2. The township has been in a comparatively quiet mood of late, as regards general business. There will, however, be a little excitement on Saturday next, as the Court sittings will bo held, and the nomination of candidates for the County Council will take place. Of the Court ease, the whipping and treacling affair, which it is said will bo brought before the R.M., will create the greatest amount of interest. As to candidates for the County Council, it is almost dillicuit to conjecture who will be brought forward. Several names have been mentioned —amongst others, Mr Jas. Davidson, who, indeed, has been solicited by friends to allow himself to bo placed in nomination ; and who, if elected, would undoubtedly prove a good man. Saturday, however, will show what men are coming forward. The old blockhouse lies in nieces near tiie new lock-up. There is su'll talk of its being re-erected and turned into a Court House, The iron and much of the timber in the building is good. It would certainly make a roomy building, and could be so divided as to give a private room for the R.M., another for the clerk, with a spare room for witnesses and friends, and yet leave ample space for the accommodation of the general public on Court days. It certainly would not be an elegant looking ediiice, though, with proper windows and doors, and internal linings, it would not look so outrageously bad, and would undoubtedly prove serviceable. Messrs J. Strachan Gruig and Co. have leased a large well fenced paddock behind Prosser’s Hotel, and arc intending to use the commodious and substantial stock yards, already on the ground, as a cattle «a!e yard. Cattle pens will be erected, and the whole will be put in a thorough state of repair. A number of sheep pens are also being erected, with conveniences Cor drafting." From the plan of the yards, it would appear that every facility will be afforded to buyers for inspecting the stock, and for sellers in drafting and otherwise setting off cattle and sheep to the best advantage. The cattle yards and sheep pens will occupy over half an acre of ground ; and, at a pinch, there is about eight acres of paddocking, well fenced in, into which stock for sale can be turned. The general business of the above firm lias so increased that a lease has been taken of the commodious premises belonging .to Mr Pakcr, cabinet-maker, and which will be taken possession of next month. In the matter of improvements, Mr J. Prosser, of the Hawera Hotel, has been doing big things. The billiard table, for the reception of which a new wing has been aihh.'d to the original building, lias now arrived, and will almost immediately be fitted up ; and as the hotel has lately been almost entirely re-funnshed, it will be better to defer further notice until improvements now going on are completed. The erection of the Dank of New Zealand premises has been commenced. Messrs King and Don, of the Drapery Emporium, have lately added another front to their shop, which now presents quite an imposing appearance. This may be taken as an evidence of increasing business and confidence in the future prospects. Tiie late successful sale, of land in the township has lead another ten-acre lot owner to decide upon offering residence sites for sale. The land is now being surveyed in quarter-acre sections, .and will shortly either be put up at auction, or offered for private sale. Mr Monckton, photographer, is now on a visit, and appears to be doing tolerably well. The excellent style in which likenesses are turned out by that artist, is giving general satisfaction. Messrs Bills and Co. have lately finished an express for a carrier, intending to run between Hawera and Waverlcy, which tends to show their capabilities in the coachbuilding line. The express is made to carry 35 cwt., the body being 11 feet long by 4 feet broad, with raised seat for driver across the front, and tioating rails along the side, having what is technically known as an American undercarriage, and pole for harnessing a pair or four horses. The springs were made on the premises, and, in fact, the express, which is of good design, has a neat yet strong appearance, and has been painted and turned out of hand in a style highly creditable to the makers. A brand new set of harness has been made after the American style by Mr Byrne, for the present proprietor of the express—Mr Collins. The Presbyterian body are just about considering the advisability of giving a Ministerial call, and have convened a meeting for Thursday, the 9th instant, at which all interested in the welfare of the Church are requested to attend. The coach on Wednesday added a now limb to the population—a limb of the law —a young gentleman from Nelson, wiio is going to cast in his lot amongst us, and wlio no doubt expects, and probably will thrive and be made happy through our quibbles and contentions at law.