HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 512, 27 April 1880, Page 2

HAWERA.

The Litekaly Institute is likely to be a favorite resort during the winter evening.s. Tenders have been called for the lining of the reading-room with timber, and when tin's has been done the interior will have a much more comfortable appearance, as well as being warmer than at present. Tenders close to-morrow, and the successful tenderer will be required to push on the work. Some of the Maoris on the Waingongora side of Geo are making great preparations to thresh out their oats and grass seed. A threshing machine lias been engaged, and a plentiful supply of provisions and grog procured, in order that the pakohas engaged on the work may be properly regaled. A Tanoi was held at the end of last week, near Oco, on the remains of a child said to be related to Honi Biliama.

Stu Dillon Bell passed through Hawera on Saturday, on his way to the Plains, being - accompanied by Major Parris ami Major Brown. The party interviewed Titokowaran and other chiefs, and were well received everywhere. The reserve surveys are proceeding satisfactorily, no opposition being offered, and everything is reported quiet and peaceable. Sir Dillon returned to Hawera on Sunday, and yesterday proceeded to Now Plymouth.

Settlement on the land recently sold on the mountain track between Ketemarae and Stratford is steadily increasing, several settlers having cleared the bush and erected dwellings on their sections. A few families at Xormanhy arc also making preparations to move in the same direction. A blacksmith’s shop has been put up by Mr Muir, formerly of Normanby, and the same gentleman is now erecting a substantial four-roomed dwelling-house Some Peluctance is being evinced by contractors for the hush-felling on the Stratford section of the railway, to increase the nmnberof tneir hands. The men assert there was nothing said regarding the number of men to bo employed at the time they signed the contract, nor was there any specific lime mentioned in the agreement. Too (juvernmont are no doubt to he commended in their desire to push on the work, but from all we can learn their maimer of doing so is inflicting injustice on some contractors. They aie mostly working on the co-operative system, and having taken the work at an extremely low figure, are earning less than the current wages for competent bnshnieii, and of conse think it hard to be compelled to employ men at a higher rate than they can earn. In letting future small contracts it would bo well that the railway authorities should he more careful in drawing out the specifications. A Ifu.MOUii was current on Saturday that one of the camps belonging to the suriioyors on the Plains had been set fire to by carelessness or design on the part of some natives, during the absence of the party at work. From enquiries as to the correctness of the report, wo find there is no truth in it. A lire did take place on the Plains, at the camp of one of the gravelling parties, a. tent being burned down, and this has probably been the origin of the rumor. From the Plains there is nothing fresh to report. The constabulary are proceeding satisfactorily with the road formation, and are being closely followed by the metalling contractors. The road thus formed, though at present rather heavy, gives promise of being a good one as soon as the rough metal has been hardened by traffic.