DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 3, 4 June 1913, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

AWAKDTO-MOKAU.

(From • Our Own Correspondent)

On Monday last, while the s.s. Pitoitoi, loaded with coal, was -descending the Mokau river, she canje in contact with one of those snags that ought to have been taken out this year. The Pitoitoi not being on a snagging expedition,, received an indentation of about six feet by two feet, That the snag did not penetrate the hull speaks well for the stoutness of this little steamer. The mishap occurred about the Mangatawa rapid, 22 miles from the mouth. Captain Robinson, after a careful examination, decided to come down the Mokau, where temporary repairs were executed by Messrs Sampson Bros. The vessel now awaits, favorable weather to leave here for either Onehunga or Wanganui, where the proper equipment is available to make the vessel perfectly seaworthy again. That this accident should have occurred at the present juncture is unfortunate, for the Bayley, Ogle Co., under whose charter the vessel was running, and who would be in possession in a few weeks of their new steamer, which is to replace the ill-fated Manukau, whose service the Pitoitoi has been temporarily performing, have to bear the expense of these repairs and suffer Joss of trade.

So sanguine is the Waitara shipping company of the prosperity of this district that the directors are talking of building another vessel suitable for negotiating the Awakino and Tongaporutu bars, the depth of water being too small to admit of the Tainui or the new steamer entering except at spring tides. The high price of flax has tempted still another miller to begin operations on the Awakino coast, a few miles north of Awakino. The cliffs along the coast are clothed with a good quality of flax, easily procurable and transported to the mill, the great drawback being the taking of the fibre to the market. This necessitates the use of surf boats—hazardous, find at the same time perilous work, whore goods, limbs and lives are concerned. 1 believe that about a hundred pounds spent at the French Pass would overcome ttiis difficulty. Then the flax could be carted down the coast to Mokau or Awakino wharf. It is to be regretted that previous flaxmillers have not had their enterprise accompanied by the best wishes of Dame Fortune, but I hope that the present venture may prosper.

The Bayley, Ogle Co. have at present the Tainui, and they had chosen as an appropriate name for their new boat Tokomaru, I regret to learn that the name has been abandoned for that of Wetere, for the name Tokomaru has legendary associations with the Tainui. According to the best Maori authority. Mr. Percy Smith, the Tainui and Tokomaru were lashed together during the great migration to New Zealand. These >t&o eartoes successfully made the voyage, and. I believe, were finally beached in the Mokau river. Evidences of this are still to be seen in the form of the dumbellshaped anchor visible at low water spring tide and lying down stream, about four s'hains from what is locally known as the Flower Pot.

T learned to-day that the new post office at Awakino is to he officially opened on the 14th inst. by the Hon. Mr. Rhodes. Minister for the Department. Will the settlers kindly make such arrangements in regard to placing before this gentleman the needs of the district? The o?)'"■"!■»i n> it r "" !:•» o--.ily arranged, but we must exercise ourselves in getting the right man to deal with each branch of this locality's wants. The district has now liad ample time to arrange matters, so that lack of time cannot be advanced as an excuse for want of preparation.