OUT EAST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 86, 24 November 1911, Page 3

OUT EAST.

(By Our Travelling Reporter.)

Mr T. Ryan lias disposed of his splendid 237-acre farm on the Mangaro Road to Mr W. Abbott at a very satisfactory figure. Mr Ryan states that although he has sold his property ho does not intend leaving the district.

The train was pulled up rather suddenly on Tuesday near the vicinity of ti>e Huiroa railway station, and on investigation, it turned out to be nothing more serious than several sheep running on the line in front of the train.

A slip of some two to three thousand tons of earth came down in a cutting near the Whanga tunnel a few days ago, completely filling it up, and" in ail probability a deviation will bo effected to remedy the block. Mr 11. Blair, while proceeding along the line near Pohokura one day last week noticed something peculiar lying across the line, and on investigation it turned out to be a large kiwi, with its head completely severed from the body for which the train was no doubt responsible. The bill, which measured about six or seven inches in length, is now being preserved by Mr 3. Robson. Under the peculiar circumstances one would think it to be a case of deliberate suicide. Kiwis are very numerous around Pohokura. Several birds have been caught and large numbers seem to bo travelling aboutThe Whangamomona tunnel is now nearing completion. Some forty or fifty men have now been transferred to cuttings further along the line, and only two gangs now remain in the tunnel. it is expected that these gangs will be finished in less than a month. Only a little blocking, and the fixing up of cue approaches will then have to bo done in order to leave it ready for the laying of the rails.

A large contract is yet in store before the train can reach Whangamomona. No less than seven bridges will have to he erected.

Whanga’s need for a doctor was again in evidence on Monday, when Mr Jack Kavanagh, who was employed in the station yard, met with a painful accident through some papa falling on his leg. The injured man at once proceeded to Stratford, in order to receive medical attention. Mr L. Klee, was again to the lore in rendering first aid. Mr Gray, District Health Inspector, paid a visit to Whangainomona on Tuesday last in connection with business affecting public health. The site for the Whangainomona railway station is now being prepar-Shocp-shearing will soon be in full swing. A gang of five Maoris from Waitotara arrived at To Wera on Tuesday in order to commence operations, several squatters having engaged their services, and in ail, some 1(5,000 sheep will undergo 1110 operation. The whole of which will be completed in about forbeon days. In company with an intelligent Maori, and anxious to know the meanings of the various names given to several of the railway stations along the line, about which several have been trying to find out, the following will ho doubt be read with interest: — Kiuro (rat), N&atimaru (shelter), To Wera (very wot), Kohuratahi (open place), and Whangainomona (waiting to get fat). .1 also asked which he considered was the correct way to spell Ngaere, and he said that it was Ngaire, its meaning being wet place. Mr H. Jakes, of the Whangainomona stables, has been oh a business visit through the backblocks as far as To Kuiti, a distance of about 100 mile's, tlie object being to got an idea of the country so as to furnish the Post Office authorities with an estimate for once, twice, or three days’ a week mail service to Mangaroa, to which a reply has been sent. Mr Jakes was hinc 1 1 impressed .with the rapid advancement and the smartness of the Mangaroa township, and considers it one of the principal towns in the hack country. He also speaks very highly of Te Kuiti. No doubt if the scheme comes into operation it will prove a boon to the settlers in the outlying districts. 'He also states that the Tangarakau Gorge is a beautiful sight, the evergreens and the immense cliffs at present being well worth seeing. Borne individual around Whangamoiinona has been going about on the Mangere Eoad of late posing as the ‘-.maty ranger, and demanding the driving fee from the owners of the stock which he had secured close handy. As far as can be gathered, no great haul has been made by the culprit. Settlers will therefore do well to remember that no ranger is iii existence. The mortality among stock has been very great during the past few months, especially among sheep and lambs. A meeting of Mr Joe McCluggage s committee was held at the Whangamomoua Hall on Tuesday evening, when important business was transacted. It is anticipated that in about six months’ time the ballast train will ho running into Whangainomona. Heavy rains has been experienced of late, causing a number of slips to come down in various places through the district. Too much praise cannot he given to Mrs Court, of the Wlumga Temperance hotel for the manner in which the place is conducted, and ii:;.o for the excellent table kept, which witjiout doubt is equal to any in the large centres. The heavy rains experienced of late have made tjio Whangamomomi saddle in a very sloppy condition.