MOKAU NEWS.
Harbor board. ordinary monthly meeting of the Mokau Harbor Board was held on the night of the 12th inst. Present: Messrs S .Whitehead (in the chair), A. G. Sampson, J. R. Terrill, W. D, Black and A. W. Sole. Correspondence received was dealt with as follows:—From W T Jennings, Esq., M.P.. stating be had approached the Minister with regard to the request of the Harbor Board for a temporary subsidy towards the salary of secretary and wharfinger, and enclosing thj) Minister's reply. This was to tl|e effect he had referred the matter to the officers of hia Department and it would be reported upon in due course. Mr Jennings is to be thanked for his attention. l'rom Mr Sharp, resident engineer P.W. Department, Stratford, enquiring un(^s Harbor Board had in addition to. the promised Government grant, which would be available for snagging the Mokau river It was resolved: '-That the secretary write to Mr Sharp explaining the whole position, pointing out the Harlior Board had no endowments of any sort but depended for its revenue solely upon its imports and exports. That these, since the obstruction of the river had been a diminishing quantity, and in consequence the Board had no funds which it could set aside for snagging the river." From Mr John Kelly, Awakino County Engineer, stating the cost of the proposed snagging punt, according to amended plans and specifications as required by the Public Works Department, would be £670. This would include machinery, etc.—Received. Resolved, That the secretary write to the Minister of Marine with reference to the impending vecancy for the position of secretary and wharfinger to the Board, reiterating the several matters in connection therewith and press for an early reply. • Accounts amounting to £2O 17s Cd were passed for payment. Resolved that the present charge of Od per bale wharfage on wool be rescinded, and Is per bale be charged instead.
GENERAL'. > The influenza epidemic has just about run its course here. Practically everyone in the township has been down with it at one time or another, but no deaths of adults have to be recorded &o far. Evidently the phase experienced here was not of the virulent nature reported in other parts of the country, or else the healthy situation of Mokau proved uncongenial to tho particular bacillus involved. The latest of our townsmen to "lower his flag" to the enemy is Constable McGregor. Luckily Mrs McGregor was on the convalescent list herself at the time her husband took ill. Quite a score of our nativo population here have suffered from the epidemic, but in all cases complete recovery has resulted. Partly through the efficacy of the pills, tabloids, and medicines sent up by "700," ? and greatly by the faith they inspired. Three little children died in the earlier stages of the epidemic, two belonging to Mr George Lake, of Awakino, and one belonging to Mr Frank R&ttenbury, of Mahoenui. Several well known people in the township have died elsewhere. M'hese includes Miss B. M. Cane, our former post-mistress. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved relative's. Following on the horrors of a worldwide war the epidemic has been a sad experience indeed. Mr James Eandeli, of Moktu River, has just been notified by the Minister of Defence, that his son, Philip Eandeli, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field of action, and offering congratulations upon the- winning of such a coveted distinction. The Randell family have iieen well represented at the frot. Cecil Randell returned from France a few months ago minus an arm, but with his heart still in the right place. Philip, the recipient of the Military Medal, is still there, as is also another brother. Still another, Arthur, was in camp .it the time the armistice was signed. As a family the Randalls have every reason to feel proud of themselves. Considering the small population the Mokau-Awakino district shows up well in the list of honors. Mr Leslie Black, son of Mr William Black, 6f Awakino, is the recipient of the Military Medal, also Mr Dean, formerly a resident here. Still another, Mr Parr, brother of Mr B. Parr, of this district, is the proud possessor of the D.C.M. Messrs William Wilson and Charles Raynor had rather an exciting experience on the Mokau river in the vicirty of the Panirau stream one day last I week. Th,ey were taking a load oi po»ta [to Te Matai at the time. While on one of the rapids the launch had the misfortune to land right on top of a snag The navigators oould not make it budge either one way or another, notwithstanding plenty of hard graft, and picturesque language. Ultimately, to save the launch from going under, they had to throw the posts overboard, and return to Mesrs Chamber's Bros, homestead, from whence they started. Unless there is a good fresh in the river, these rapids are dangerous incidents on the way, and every man negotiating them takes his life in his hand. Messrs A. G. Sampson and Mr Rj Ericsson aro at present engaged in building a house for Mr W. D. Black, at "Ma-hoe." As Mr Black is a single inan, there is a good deal of speculation I as to what he can need such an up-to: date house for. Hay-making hag commenced in Makau, and to Mr Norman Clifton belongs the honor of having the first slack up, A party of our Maxwi brethren recently chartered Mr Frank Rattenbury's launch Te Kawau and went up the river as far a3 Dive's mill on a pig hunting and eel fishing expedition. The results, however, hardly, paid for the benzine used. As the river -becomes more settled the wild pigs retire inland, and as time goes on will become more scarce. Speaking of fishing—schnapper, »;awai, trevjilli and flounder appear to be fairly plentiful in the harbor just now. Our one and only recognised fishe.rman, Mr P. Cavanagli, lias secured some good hauls with his net during the past week. Rather a sad story from up the river iis just to hand. An aged Maori named Wi Pat, 120 veaxs old, was up on a cherry tree the other day gathering what little fruit the birds had leftSuddenly, without warning, a branch broke and We Pat, who turned the scale at eighteen stone, was precipitated to the ground, a distance of 20 feet. When picked up life was found to be extinct, and all efforts to resuscitate him failed. Hia father, ivith whom he routed, te» ignM -
sions of-sympathy from both natives and Europeans since the sad event. Motor cars are beginning to put in an appearance again, so it is only fair to assume the coach and horses will be giving way to the'mail car soon. I notice with satisfaction that Mount Messenger is to he metalled this year coming. The state of the road is' the sole cause of our isolation for eight months of the year. Were the river snagged and the boats running regularly again, we, of course, would not be so badly off. Master Arnold Hodgen, a Mokau school scholar, has just received his certificate of proficiency. Master Hodgen is the son of the postmaster at Awakino. Your correspondent, knowing (veil the desolation in hearts and homes caused by the world-wide war and the still more recent epidemic, nevertheless extends the wish that each and all —so far as lies in their power,—will enjoy a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1918, Page 7
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1,254MOKAU NEWS. Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1918, Page 7
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