ARAPOHUE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 213, 1 September 1893, Page 3

ARAPOHUE.

[from our own correspondent] We are all pleased to see an improvement in the weather; the roads and paddocks are becoming more passable and the grass is beginning to spring already, where not exposed to the cold wind. When shall we have better roads ? We are obliged to go back to sleighs and pack horses, and I suppose we may consider ourselves lucky to be able to use even that means of transit. I have lately endeavoured to arouse some enthusiasm in re-making an effort to have the great bar to our locomotion viz. the red clay cutting graded and metalled, which is positively a terror to man and horse in winter and even in summer after a shower. If a concert were held or got up for this purpose a portion of tho money might be raised and the Council would probably, if sufficient were raised, contribute from rates the necessary balance. There is a very large and increasing traffic to Mititai and this work once cawied out would be a permanent benefit to the majority of ratepayers. The Mititai flat has stood well considering ’tis now eight years since the metal was laid, and also that it has been utterly neglected during winter, the drains choked and level with the road. The surface man I see is granted for one day. What a concession ' I think the only plan for us if we wish to better roads —we all wish of course —is to turn out for one week every year ; till the Council are out of debt, or our riding at least. Whatever time we spend in that way we can be sure of having a return for it ; but when we pay our rates, a vary large portion of it goes in all sorts of ways but mending the roads. The Council are doing their best I verily believe, and it is a vast improvement on what held sway some years ago. One little mattei’ I would suggest, —pay a royalty or arrange with Mr Ruskell to take metal from his quarry. It requires no breaking. Lay the road with hard metal and place a layer of this from Ruskell’s on top and I think you may depend on having a good road. I am pleased to turn to another matter, —our roads are improving with the better weather and let us hope the road-growling season is nigh past. On Tuesday the coming of age of Mr S. Bradley’s son. Washington was celebrated by a dance held in the barn, After games and dancing we adjourned to the house, where was laid out an excellent spread to which we dii justice. Sengs were given by Messrs Jowitt and Gelston, and we got home towards the morning.