Tologa Bay.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1032, 4 February 1882, Page 2

Tologa Bay.

(from our own correspondent.) 1 Since last I wrote tilings have been going on very quietly, with little to call for note. The only features of interest are : —The re-open-ing of the Ferry Hotel under mine host Mr Henry Trimmer, which will afford the travelling public with a long-lost and along-wanted comfortable Hotel on this side of the rirer. The sitting of the R.M.’s Couit only occupied one day and a-half, during which time some nine cases were brought forward, two being adjourned until next sitting of the court in consequence of two litigants haring so thoroughly devoted themselves to the worship of Bacchus, as to be incapable of attending to any other engagement.

During the last week indications were given of a change of weather, and on Thursday and Friday it. rained in torrents to a regular gale of wind blowing. The s.s. Rosina was up the river wa ting for wool, and the heavy fresh that came down so upset her equanimity, that she got away from her mooring and started down the river, but ’slie soon brought up. A quantity of timber was brought down the river, and no small amount of damage was done by wind and water. A bridge of Mr ■Stewart’s was washed away, and the woolshed of Mr Summerville nearly blown down.

The enterprising lessee of the Ferry here, lias gone to considerable expense in "having his working gear for the punt erected on the same principle as that used at Hokitika. A pliable wire rope being stretched across the river, and runnel's connected with the punt by block and tackle at either end, so that by simply slacking off or hauling up either end according as the tide is, the punt is driven across the river by the tide. W’e are now considerably in advance of Gisborne in our ferrying accommodation.

January 28tb. I wrote you last. Saturday evening, but, unfortunately, my let ter was delayed, and posted too late, so you will receive two epistles by this mail. We were greatly amused here at the report of the s.s. Rosine's catastrophe, the Herald's correspondent must have a most marvellous knowledge of the geography of tlie place, and an imagination to equal his knowledge. Certainly one has to go from home to hear news. People at Gisborne may bo quite satisfied as to where the Rosina was, but people hers are greatly puzzled. A public meeting was held at the Ferry Hotel on Wednesday evening last, at which it was decided to hold a nice meeting on the South side of the Uawa river, on the Ist of March. Mr Murphy having kindly granted the use of bis paddock, where a very good course is obtainable. This evening the Committee decided on the following events :— Maiden Plate, 1 f miles ; Handicap Hurdle

Race, 2 miles; Pony Race, 1 mile; Uawa Stakes, 2 miles ; Flying Stakes, 6 furlongs ; Hack Race, 1 mile ; Forced Handicap, 2 miles; Consolation, If miles. The Maiden Plate, Flying Stakes, and Hack Races being closed to tl.e district, the others open to all comers. Fuller particulars wifi be found in your adveitiring columns. The i.a. Southern Crew called here on Friday, and took between 400 and 500 sheep on board for the Auckland market on account of Mr Reeres. Mr Reeres went to Auckland by the steamer. It is a great thing for a small place like Idoga to be able to load a steamer for a good market like Auckland. I omitted to stake in my last that the Maori Races held here soma little time back passed off capitally. No disputes arose ; no accident occurred ; and erery race was undoubtedly run on its merits. The weather here the last three days has been powerfully hot, and the sun is so fierce riiat ths wind feels warmed, and the heat even in ths shade is very groat. There is some talk of a race meeting being held on the North side of the river, but at present 1 am unable to learn if a suitable course can be obtained there, this is a difficulty almost insurmountable.

February Ist. The grass is looking very dry in many places, and were it not for the heavy dews during the nights, would soon be scorched up. 1 regret having to report the loss to Mr Mullooly of two valuable horses. It appears that Mr Mulloofy was bringing four horses from his station on the coast to Tologa Bay, for the purpose of entering them for the forthcoming races. He drove them into the river to swim across, but unfortunately two of them were drowned. Mr Mullooly valued the animals at £5O.

A very sharp shock of earthquake was felt here to-day, at three o’clock, in the direction •f east to west, it was felt first as a gentle tremor, but quickly became very strong, causing ths houses to vibrate greatly, ar.d making great commotion among crockery and tinware. The inhabitants made one general rush to the doors of their houses, but 1 did not hear of any harm being caused. The effect on the water in the river was very noticeable, causing the current to divert from its downward course, to one side of the river, and then back again. It is said to bo the heaviest shock felt here for many years.

Mr Hugh Campbell passod through this township yesterday, on his way down from the Oil Springs, lie had with him a bottle of salt water, which had been taken out of the pipes, apparently indicating that the boring had resulted iu the striking of salt water instead of ths much-desired paraffin oil.