NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 247, 15 February 1898, Page 2

NGARUAWAHIA.

Driving First Pile of Bridge.—Quite a large number of people assembled on Saturday, the 12th inst., to witness the driving of the first pile of the bridge, now in course of erection over the river Waipa. Among those preseut were Messrs Dickeson (Chairman), Paterson (Clerk), Fitzpatriok and Rathborne, representing the Town Board, and Messrs Hewett and Allen, representing the Raglan County Council. At about 12 o'clock all \va3 in readiness, and Mr Dickeson opened the proceedings with a speech. He sa'd :—" Ladies and gentlemen, — We are met here to-day to inaugurate the driving of the first pile of the new Waipa Bridge, which, I think, wili meet with the approval of oue and all in this andsurrouuaing districts. I may state that, owing to the unforseen delays in commencing, it had become quite a bye-word in the township, "Shall we ever get the bridge ?" That question u now answered, and I trust that the bridge, when completed, will carry us all over the river of contentment. I will now ask you to give three cheers for the bridge." This was responded to with three hearty cheers, and Mr Dickeson then called on Mr Hewett, one of the members of the Raglan County Council, for a speech. Alter Mr Hewett had spoken, Mr Dickeson tipped the monkey for the first pile. Most of these present betook themselves to a table close by, where beer, bread and cheese were provided by the Town Board. The heilths of the Chairman of the Town 80.-. rd and also that ff the contractor were then drunk, and all dispersed to their respective homej well pleased with the day's proceedings. The contractor hopes to have the bridge open for traffic in about three months' t'me. It is hard'y neccssiry to say that the biidgc will greatly affect this township, as it will ba the means of affording better communication between here and the Raglan districts. Accident.—An accident of a serious nature happened to Miss Paterson, on Sunday, the 6th inst. Miss Paterson, her s : ster, and Miss Lockie, were returning from visiting some Huntly friends, when the horse that Miss Paterson was riding, frightened by aome men sitting on the side of the road between Huntly and Taupiri, thrdv her violently on to the hard vrouud. It was found she Mas in great pain and totally incapable of fitting on her hot'3e. Messrs Snelling ami Skclton, who were on their way from Huutly, drove lur in their sulky to her home. The doctor was sent for, and on examination, found she was suffering fiom concussion of the spine, which ha says will necessitate her remaining in bed for several weeks. I am glad to be able to report that she is progressing favourably, aud her many fiietids trust that before long they will see her about once more. Regatta.—The Ngaruawahia Regatta Committee are endeavouring to make the Maori events at their forthcoming regatta as attractive as po sible. In order to increase the entries, they ha\e had a large number of posters printed at the Akgijs office in Maori, aud these are being widely circulated. For tome time past the Maoris at Taupiri, belonging to several of the Waikato tribes, have been somewhat busy making a large canoe to compete in the War Canoe races. The canoe is to be called the Kaiwha ; she measures 65j feet in length, and is capable of carrying thirty or forty men. As the tree was felled aud rudely shaped about two miles away fiom the Waikato, it was no easy task to briDg it to the river bank. This was accomplished on Saturday, the sth inst., by about 50 Maoris of both sexes, amidst the greatest excitement, and aa might be expected, accompanied by a great deal of shouting, hooting, etc. It was very noticeable that the wahines did their full share of the work. The canoe is now undergoing the finishing touches, and ere long, the Maoris hope to have herj ready to be launched.—(Own Correspondent).