TONGAPORUTU.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 9, 2 April 1902, Page 2

TONGAPORUTU.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The chief bvent of the year, the Regatta, came off on St. Patrick's Day. The weather was fine, nnt too hot, but the wind was rather stiff', which made 'the river a bit rough. The attendance was poor, a good few of the river settlors were not there, nor did they turn up well from outside. There were- a few from Mokau, Awdkino, Ututi, and Urenui, but not nearly so many as at soma of the previous &&~ fjattas. The sport to;) was poor, and the managing committee seemed to be disagreeing among themselves, which did not improve matters. The majority of tho»e present came for a pleasant outing, and on the whole enjoyed themselves. There was a dance at Mr. McKoy's at night which was well attended and went off very well. The bridge is progressing slowly. The contractor has had a deal of lost time waiting for tha material, but he has gat it ao the site now and will doubtlsss get on by leaps and bounds. The season lias bean very good for growth and fairly gocd for bush burning. Tiie traffic on the Great Northroad is considerable. The road is in gcod condition at present, the mud holes being dry. ■ A posse of po'ice have besn making a raid for stroug waters since the regatta. They searched R. O'Donnall's premises, having a search warrant, and i they are up and down the river daily, | This search from the one end of th<? King Country to the other at different periods should cmse the Government to decide on the license question. The country will progress rapidly with lmd sales aad coil industries, and a vote should be taken " License or no license," [Perhaps our correspondent could explain why ?—Ed.]