WAITARA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 209, 13 December 1910, Page 3

WAITARA NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondent) HARBOR BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was held on Friday evening. Mr. Parkes, on behalf of Mr. Leslie, asked that a rental be fixed on the leasehold of th'e Waitara Hotel, with a viewto bringing the property under the new conditions of- renewable lease. " The New Zealand Insurance Company wrote, stating that as the billiard saloon on McLean street had been condemned, the company had cancelled -the policy. The chairman reported tha.t the matter had been referred to the original lessee. Accounts amounting to £lOl 15s lOd were passed for payment.

A Wood deal of discussion arose over the matter of payment of an extra shilling per day to one of the employees during the time he was engaged in charge of some work at the mouth of the river. Eventually the payment was passed. Mr. J. W. Laing's salary as assistant pilot was raised from £ll to £l3 per month.

The Works Committee were instructed to obtain data in regard to the erection of a patent slip, and to report at next meeting. M. Beckbessinger was granted a transfer from Mr. Garland for a property on McLean street, the valuer being instructed to advise on the rental of the section in the occupation of Mr. Stubbs, and that of the W r aitara Hotel.

The Makarakia people are asking the Hon. the Minister for Roads to give instructions to have work on the Kiwi road carried out at bo'th ends, so as to facilitate the early completion of the work. It is quite anticipated that he will meet with the reauest.

BACKBLOCKERS' DISABILITIES.

It is not often that the real backblocker has the chance of a day's recreation, and naturally when the opportunity comes he takes advantage of it, eve a under difficult circumstances. Usually the event is the annual school picnic, and when this occurs the north, south, east and wes % t send in their little contingents with their wives and families, and this is done under very adverse circumstances. One might be related. The good people of Makarakia do not number sufficient to ■have a school or picnic of their own, and if thev need a day's recreation they are compelled to join in with the Tongaporutu folk. This they did on Friday last, when a most enjoyable picnic, followed by a concert and dance, comprised the annual outing. On Saturday morning early a horseman might (have been saen with one little toddler "in front, packed in among some sacks and hampers, with another at the back, hanging on to dad like grim death, followed in the rear by his good wife, who was also burdened with a child and several packages, and, bringing, up the rear, another pack horse laden with household goods. The little contingent had to travel some twelve miles to borne, the first three miles of which were over a fair road, and after that a track supposed ,to be six feet wide, but in many places much less, and a great poftion of it through mud, which sticks, and sticks fast, the horses in many places being quite girth deep in it, and all for the want of three, miles of road. How the settlers have put up with it so long is the marvel. Fifteen years in a spot like this is surely enough to send one to Porirua. Certainly a start has been made at one end of the road with two small gangs, but what is really needed is for men to be working at both ends, so that the road could be completed before winter. So soon as this road is done, settlers will be enabled to raise some good stock for the markets, but the risk of a beast or two going over the 100-feet precipices is too great for them; so fat bullocks are a minus quantity. Then again, the cost of getting in supplies would be reasonable if a good road were available, and, instead of a settler having to keep several horses, one and a cart would meet all requirements. However, they are living in hopes of an improvement—some day.

Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P. for Taumarunui, had a trip through as far as Awakino at the end of the week, with a view to quietly meeting his friends and haviug a few days of complete rest far from the madding crowd. He is showing physical signs of the strain of the long hours of the session. His many baekblock friends at Tongaporutu, Mokau and Awakino were very pleased to meet him.

Four loeal rinks meet the New Plymouth Bowling Club in a game to be played here on Thursday. The school concert takes place to-mor-row evening. It is expected that the Regatta Club will hold its annual meeting on Monday next. In all probability the regatta will be held in March this season.