ARAPOHUE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 199, 26 May 1893, Page 2

ARAPOHUE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) I suppose there is little use in waiting, Micawber like, for something to turn up, so must needs stir up the iateut iires, aud from the inner consciousness evolve something out of chaos. I

have a hazy idea that that sentence belongs to some other author. Like many another ordinary mortal I have many thoughts passiug through my brain ; hut how little, alas! of our talk or ideas is worth reproducing. But from our thoughts spring our actions. And happy the man whose thoughts are not ail centred in self, or self aggrandisement. No one literally lives unto himself ; but there are infinite gradations in this, from the miser to the philanthropist. What a noble example of a life given for the gqo.d of others we have in Dr. Barnardo. Life for many, especially among our gumdiggers. is I fear very dull and monotonous. But if they labour with an end in view, such as the laying up of some capital to enable them after a time to make a home for themselves, they may endure the hardships and deprivations incidental to the life of a gumdigger. I would strongly advise any man having a taste for rural life, to secure a piece of land early. The land up North may not be all one could desire ; but ’tis well to have some spot to plant a home on, under such a glorious bright sunny sky as we so frequently enjoy even in winter. Mr fiaszard and staff are surveying som; good sections iu the Omaru block, but they are very much scattered he tells me ; the Iv.T.C, and others owning largo sections. I presume the Government intends throwing these sections open for selection. A bridge is in course of construction across the Mongonui to connect with East Coast and Waikiekie. It is full time this side of the country was opened up. To go to the latter place from here requires a ride of sixty miles, whereas less than half the journey would do if a road wore made to the new bridge and thence to the settlement. If Messrs Houston and Thompson are retained as our members they will probably, if requested, have this part of the country opened up. I would just remark that the K T.Co. or any else should be permitted to hold large arrears of bush country unless they intend clearing it or disposing of it for settlement. Now Mr Editor this is a matter for you to keep in view. The gentleman who said he was dissatisfied with Mr Houston at Aratapu. was I know most anxious to secure the return of the up-river candidate at last election, and by marshalling his bush men at Arapohue made it appear as though we had given him the largest number of votes.

Mr Houston, though now out of our electorate, came and called a meeting here, but the notice was too short and so only a few turned up Through Mr Bradley he generously gave us a subscription of £1 to purchase a, lamp for the ITall in addition to the subscription to the Agricultural Society. On Friday last Mr Blight gave an interesting account of his experiences iu South Australia. The proceeds are to go towards paying for books required by the choir. "We are likely' soon fo be again without a shoemaker. Mr Higgott intends returning to town Owing to the very mild season, probably, caterpillars have done considerable damage to our pastures. Pheasants evidently' are very useful iu checkirg ti e pesL As I hear those that have been shot had evidently been feeling on them, I bad the intention of replying - to the remarks of your Paparoa correspondent, but Tatarariki lias done it infinitely better. I got hauled over the coals by both Mareretu and Paparoa for giving my honest statement of what I saw in both districts. I congratulate the Editor on having such a bright aud intelligent writer as represents Paparoa. Hope he will enjoy Tatarariki’s reply' as much as I. On the first occasion I visited Paparoa I felt quite charmed with its appearance. But my impressions were much modified on the two last OLcasiaus I was there. It is a bad sigu when nature refuses to clothe the hills with a decent mantle of green (.even were it weeds). On looking at the hills from the Show ground too many' naked patches were visible to give one a favourable impression. A gentleman who visited both settlements, Mareretu aud Paparoa, lately, told me he saw to grass to equal Arapohue. The Paparoa scribe little imagined as he passed up our river there was such a grand place as Tatarariki aud such a champion to take up liis challenge.