RAGLAN NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 2713, 10 October 1904, Page 2

RAGLAN NOTES.

Good news for our settlers : The Northern S.S. Company has notified a reduction in freight on wheat and oats between here and Auckland of 2s 6d per ton—namely, from 17s 6d to 15s. An annex has been added to the local hall for public library purposes. It is to serve the dual purpose of a book and public reading-room. A. party of Maori flaxcutters oncamped near the Mussel Rocks had an unfortunate experience last Saturday morning—namely, the loss of their cookhouse and all its paraphernalia by fire.

Despite the unfavourable weather the milk supply at the Te Mata factory continues to increase. The first shipment of this season’s butter was despatched by the s.s. Kia Ora on the 30th ultimo. The bachelors of the district contemplate tendering a return ball to the spinsters on the 21st inst. The project has been enthusiastically taken up, and the devotees of Terpsichore should have a royal time. The net return from the recent school concert was £1 0s 1d, which, with the £3 realised by the first entertainment, has been set apart for the expenses in connection with the annual picnic and prizes in December. Mr Purdie, who has been in the district since the meeting re starting a bacon factory in Raglan, has been furthering the project by every means in his power. The list shows that over 400 shares have already been applied for. The Karioi branch of the Farmers’ Club recently complained to the Post-master-General about the unsatisfactory manner in which the mail service was being conducted. A reply has been received that there will be no cause for complaint in future. Dr. Neligan, the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, will pay his first visit to this portion of his diocese on Sunday, 11th December, when he will hold a confirmation service in the local church. Classes for the instruction and preparation of candidates for the rite are now being organised by the vicar of Hamilton (Rev. N. C. W. Radcliffe). Very general regret has been expressed here at the demise of Miss Lundon, which took place at Papamoa, near Tauranga, on Tuesday last. The deceased lady was for six or seven years in sole charge of the native school at Rao Rao, Aotea; but on account of failing health she was last Easter transferred to the Bay of Plenty. She made a large circle of friends in the Raglan district, who will hear of her death with unfeigned sorrow. Mr Robert Millar, Te Mata, met with an unfortunate accident last week. He was engaged stumping on Mr T. G. Mold’s farm, when in some way he managed to receive a severe cut on the hand from an axe which Mr Tom Mold was wielding. Dr. Sanders, who was sent for, dressed the wound and recommended Mr Millar to go to the hospital, whither he set out next morning. Latest reports indicate that the sufferer is progressing favourably, though his little finger is stiff and almost useless, some of the tendons having been severed.

The want of metalled roads is still the chief trial of our settlers. A number of new residents are anxious to erect dwellings and thus facilitate the working of their several holdings ; but the miserable tracks which here do duty as the “King’s highways” absolutely preclude the cartage of the necessary timber. Work at the flaxmills is also hampered by the same cause. In the words of the local journal: “ The want of a few miles of metalled road to give access to the port is without doubt the main deterrent to the district’s advancement and a curse to the people.”

The Te Mata school concert on Friday, 30th ult., proved to be one of the most enjoyable which has been given in the district. Despite the fact that the night was the reverse of an ideal one, Jupiter Pluvius being too much in evidence, the schoolroom and porch were packed to the doors. The programme was an exceedingly lengthy one, it being considerably after midnight ere the National Anthem was reached. The first portion was devoted to a christy minstrel show, in which all the chairs were ably filled, A number of the school children then took tae stage and contributed songs, recitations, dances, etc., each and every one reflecting very great credit upon Miss Hill, the mistress, and Mr Gibson, the master, who must have spent considerable time and patience in training the juvenile performers. As this portion of the programme was not concluded before 11 p.m., the chairman (Mr W. M. Bankart) suggested that the farce, “ Dr. Cure-all,” should be excised. The audience, however, decided in favour of the full programme. The farce, which was capitally staged, evoked roars of laughter, all the characters acquitting themselves admirably. The result of the concert should be a very substantial addition to the school funds.