KAKARAMEA.

Patea Mail, 14 October 1880, Page 3

KAKARAMEA.

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) Wednesday Evening. N ew B [HIDINGS. —I hear that orders have been given for the erection of three new cottages on the township. The handsome new building erected on Messrs Napier and Mitchell’s property, for Mr Jardine,‘is ready for occupation^

Railway Progress. —A few remarks on the progress of this most important work will interest many readers. I took the opportunity the other day of going over nearly the whole ground, and was much pleased to find that during a month so much had been done. The formation of the permanent way, about three miles, is nearly completed. One or two large embankments, under the supervision of Messrs Powell and Wiggins, are being pushed on rapidly. The junction site consists of seven acres, five of which arc already stripped and levelled. Here will be ample

room for engine-houses, workshops, goods sheds, &c. Lower down towards the river Mr Geary is carrying out his bridge contract, and I would observe that for excellency of materials and faithful workmanship it cannot be surpassed. When finished it will consist of four spans, three of twenty feet and one of forty. The piles arc of totara, iron shod, which seemed rather unnecessary considering the soft character of the ground through which they have to bo driven. The superstructure is composed of black birch and totara. Mr Geary has been rather unfortunate, having

been detained through want of timber ; and he also found,’ after driving two or three piles, that the site of the bridge would have to bo shifted three or four chains nearer the bank. Mr Ward, who is engaged on another part of the road, lias also been delayed through surface water, which necessitates extra labor in draining. To the uninitiated, Mr Murphy’s contract would seem a small affair, but I am in-

formed that twenty-two tip drays are continually employed. No. 1 culvert through Mr-J. Hewston’s property,is finished, and too much praise cannot bo given to Mr Pell for the manner in which ho has carried out the work. The materials, both gravel and cement, are of excellent quality. No. 2 culvert, ’by the same contractor, on Messrs Hearn and Kennedy’s land, is now being proceeded with. The new contractor, Mr Daniel Is, commenced operation ß on Monday, with 11 drays at Manutahi'

Four facings arc open, which up to the present have been worked by hand barrows only. All the work seems to be of a substantial character, and so far satisfactory. It struck mo, however, while looking at the filling-in, that the work migh be expedited by, making use of rails .and trucks, especially where water has to be contended with. I took a stroll through the-’camps of the unemployed (why so called I can’t understand), and must say they soenv very comfortable under the cir-

cumstances. In front of one tent was a mast (like theshiek’s.spear) with,topmast* cross-trees, stays, and a code of signals flying. Near another was a flag bearing the simple inscription No. L, indicating that -the “ boss”- of that domicile either considers himself premier, or that he is particularly capable of taking care of his From ®ne or two glimpses of the interior, I should infer that the occupiers were men of somewhat refined tastes, everything being in such correct order.

Stock Sale. —The monthly stock sale by Mr W. Cowern was held to-day. The attendancce was very large, partly owing to the very fine weather. Two to three

hundred head of stock were offered. Wenners and yearlings went at £2 10s, £2 15s, £2 16s 6d ; two.year-old heifers, £3 10s ; cows, old class, £4 2s Gd to £4 5s and £4 7s 6d.; cows and calves, £5 5s ; two-year-old steers, £4 17s 6d ; forward steers, £6 15s to £5 17s 6d ; fat bullocks, £7 15s. Eighty ewes and hoggets, well-

bred, but in poor condition, 11s 6d. Horses dull of sale ; one well-bred realised £l4 10s ; light draught, £2l 10s. The majority of the cattle were cows, mostly old ones. It was a noticeable feature that any pens of cattle of a good class were well competed for. The want of greater accommodation at the Wbarncliffe Hotel is felt when such large numbers congregate on these occasions.