DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1917, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

MORAL'. (From Our Own Correspondent!. The usual monthly meeting oi the Harbor Board took place on the 13th inst., Mr. S. Whitehead being in the chair. Present: Messrs S. Whitehead, H. Maine, J. Terrill, A. G. Sampson. Messrs Jones and Lake were granted leave of absence. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: From Messrs Bayly Ogle and Co., with reference to freight and railage charges on goods.—Explanation regarded quite satisfactory. From Mr. J. B. Roy, board's solicitor advising r e collection of rat?.—Advice to be acted on. From Mr. C. A. Loughnan, of Palinerston North, forwarding a copy of the draft of fresh legislation required by the Minister of Marine in the matter of the re-opening of the Mokau River to steamer traffic. Proposed by Mr. 11. Maine, seconded by Mr. S. Whitehead: "That the proposed amendment to Section 86 of 'The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1910'— submitted by Mr .C. A. Loughnan—be approved and that Mr. Loughnan be authorised to represent the Board in all matters connected with the proposed amendment through the House of Representatives, and with the negotiations between the Board and the Minister for Marine."—Carried unanimously. As-the result of a discussion on storage barges at the Mokau whaffNt was resolved that they remain as at present. A meeting of the Mokau Patriotic Committee was held on the IGth inst., Mr. H. Maine presiding. Correspondence was read from Mr. J. Lennox (at present in camp) thanking the people of Mokau and Mohakatino for their useful present of a wristlet watch and trusting to meet them once again after a victorious issue to the war.

It was decided that the sum of £lO from the monies standing at present to the credit of the Mokau Patriotic Committee be forwarded to their representative on the League at Waitara for the purchase of votes for the North Country baby. The final allocation of thVamount so forwarded will be a s follows:—Y.M.C.A. £5, Salvation Armv £2 10s, Church of England £2 10s; total £lO.

The Parliamentary session is expected to close any time between now and the end of the month. This being so, the Mokau Harbor Board has, metaphorically speaking, been moving Heaven and earth in its endeavor to get a substantial sum placed on the estimates for the clearance of the river. For the past monfli especially the Minister for Marine has been the recipient of almost daily memoranda from the Board, the member for the district (Mr Jennings, M.P.), or the Board's representative, Mr. C. A. Loughnan, of Palmerston North. Each and all impressed upon the Khiister the extreme urgency of the matter.

Apart from the local aspect of the case, the opening of the Mokau River to regular steamer traffic is cf Dominion importance. There is no river in New Zealand of the same sizo upon whose banks are stored so much poJwtial wealth, riches bestowed by nature in her most bountiful mood, riches only awaiting enterprise, a Ifeet, and a clear waterway to distribute them far and wide. Coal of superior quality, not in hundreds or thousands, but millions of tons, limestone of the highest grade in illimitable supply, timber in hundreds of thousands of feet, wool, butter, cheese, and the many other products that keep pace with closer settlement—all are there. The river teems with fish of all descriptions, and from a purely scenic point of view it is second to none in the Dominion. Even in days gone by the tourist traffic was not inconsiderable, an added interest being the numerous points of historical importance on the whole length of the river, reminiscent of the tribal wars of old. It may not be this year, it may not be next year, but the time will surely come when the Mokau River will "come into its own" and the port take its place among the flourishing ones of the Dominion.

Miss L. B. Woodruffe, teacher in charge of our local school, a girl beloved and respected by parents and children alike, has been laid up by illness for weil nigh a month now. Part of the time she was dangerously ill, and though such expedition as was possible was used it took two days before a doctor reached her from New Plymouth. It is cases like this that make us pine for ecod roads, railways, electric trams, etc. However, Miss Woodruffe is now on the high road to recovery, and during the sixmonths' leave of absence granted her by the Education Board it is to be hoped she will thoroughly regain, her former health and strength. Miss A. Barnes, a young teacher, well and favorably known here aforetime, has been appointed in Miss Woodruffe's place. The patriotic dances held here fortnightly are great institutions, and we admit it. On the night of September 20. as well as the dance being held, two raffles were drawn. A very "ikey" pair of boots, generously donated by ilr. S. Whitehead, was responsible for the sum of £2 17a, Mr. C. Christofferson, of Mokau, being the winner, A little which will grow large as it lives longer, realised the handsome sum of £1 13s. This sum, so the donor (Mr. J. A. Terrill) announced later, was further augmented by tho sum of ten shilling?, through the winner, Mr. Arnold Alsen, of Mokau River, promptly handing back that amount immediately after the raffle was declared. A box of cigars, donated by the people of Mohakatino, was drawn for on the 13th inst, in the Mokau Hall. Report bath it the box returned from whence it came.

The riverside presents a busy appearance just now. Mr. Victor Sjolund is converting an 18ft open boat into a launch for Mr. L. J. C. Tiffin by installing a powerful Kelviu oil engine. Mr. Jim Northe is "hard at it' 1 making a 15ft dinghy for Mr. C. Raven, of Mokau River. It is entirely built of kauri pine, and is modelled after the style of boats Lf.ed for similar work to what this will be commissioned for, common ou the New foundland coast.