EKETAHUNA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2382, 25 August 1886, Page 2

EKETAHUNA.

Favored by its central and natural position, and being adjacent to sevoral special settlement blocks, the district' of Eketahuna is showing signs of decided improvement, In tho midst of the goneral cry of depression it is pleasant to know that our immediate surrouudiugs are making slow but sure headway, especially when they are of the permanent description that is now observable in this important Forty Mile Bush Bottloment.' Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, the settlers have kept pushing on, and although there may not be any very great alteration in the' aspect of the township to the casual observer, yet to .those acquainted with the growth of bush settlements the material improvements that have beon made within the past six months speaks volumes for its future development. With, the ■advent of settled weather, Eketahunawill be tho scene of such activity. in. business matters that has rarely been witnessed in our bush. country. Among the more important work that is awaiting fine weather to make a commoncemont, there is the connecting section of the railway line, which under tho most favorable circumstances will take two years to complete, the contract for which has just boon let by the Government Owing to the rough nature of the route it, will give employment to a large number of handß who will have t(> draw supplies from, and make their depot at Eketahuna. The Parkville settlement will be another;, powerful motor to the advancement of this settlement, as withiu_two months from now about throe hundred, acres of the Town and Suburban bush land has to be cleared; the contractors being on the ground waiting for the first instalment of fine weather to make a start.' This settlement bids fair to bo the great lever for the Eketahuna district, for ant oHte favored position, the managing committeoand hard working Secretary have so arranged matters for tlie Aaaoci-

''atiop, that thefe ' wpl be nothing •. to prevent lanii.beinfj PP ifithini: thenext sifc'miinthii.' : A project- is oix •foot ptaffttlA' meiulb«#' ; 'of the' ' 'atioA--to cut up the toraucrei into quarter acre section!, and offer theory auctign, so as toeticouraga. outside interest', into ! the settlement; and also to enable the iesS favored 'members (financially jpeakiu#). to rp,iae papital to improve'their riiral lands on the Block. The project .com* mends itself, and there is no doubt if it can be carried out, the usual energetic characteristics of the Committee ' will brint; matters to a favorable issue'for the Eketahuna has one saw-mill in full swing, and in view of the increasing demand for building materials, Messrs Bacon & Bright have just erected the machinery for i sawmill and plauingmill within a mile of the township. This j will be a decided benefit to tho district, j as dressed timber has been a very expensive commodity in the bush' distriots. To I provide for the increased attendance at the Public School, the Education Board has just made an addition to the aohool building, which will now seat eighty children, and judging by tho recont additions to the population by the influx of settlers, further additions will be necessary at no distant date. Mr J, Montgomery was the contractor for the work, which has been carried out in a very satisfactory manner. The Police Department have erected quarters for the local constable, whioii, to say the most, are anything but creditable, and how they expect a married couple to live in two rooms, which have also to be used for office work, is what •„ the residents have been puzzling their heads over. It iB to be hoped, for the oreait of the Department, that they will see their way clear to make tho very necessary. alterations to the buildinp without delay.' The demand for the travelling and resident accomodation is being supplied in a moßt liberal manner. Mr Bookman has the framework erected" for an accomodation house opposite the Eketahuna Hotel, and Mr J. Jone& has recently completed additions to his Temperance Hotel which makes that building one of the moßt convenient and comfortablo places for genoral accomodation in the Forty Mile Bush. He haa added six new bedrooms, bath room, and lavatory to the upstair Eortion of the place, ana the kitehen has een. fitted with an improved high pressure range, with cylinder attached for supplying the bath room with hot water. Tanks, capable of holding eleven hundred gallons of water are fixed at the rear of the premises from which the whole house draws it supply. Visitors, to the house spoak highly of the general arrangement of the place, and Mr Jones is reaping the reward of his enterprise in a vary substantial manner, for, notwithstanding the iuoreased accomodation; shakedowns have to be provided to meet the demands of tho public. Mr Daniells. planned and carried out the additions to the building and Mr D. Pickering fitted up the bath room, lavatory and nigh pressure range and cylinder.