EAST COAST NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3636, 11 October 1890, Page 2

EAST COAST NOTES.

(From an Occasional Correspondent) : The weather for llio past month was all tliat could be desired with the . exception Cof a few stiff South westers, which, . though of short duration, blew exceedingly cold, accompanied with hail. • Shearing is to commence at one station on the 15th inst, and by what loan ascertain the • return of wool will be far above the average, both in quality and quantity, , and all that is wanted is fine weather, ; The lambing this season iu the most prolific that has-been witnessed for several years past; and . the percentage, of losses when put in comparison with-other years may be reckoned as nil. You cannot but have heard of the state: of the road between Tinui and Grassendale, (vhioh is simply dis* graceful, and fcr about eight months of the year a perfect quagmire, dangerous alike to pedestrians and equestrians, I would simply advise Mastertonians when coining up here to insure both their own,, and their horses' lives, for when you come to consider the number of bridges and culverts broken down (in fact some of them oarried away altogether) you would be astonished to find how few accidents do in reality occur. I can see no 'other reason for it than no person travel on it except in daylight, or. when the moon holds, out her silver lamp. Now, jir, thp residents up here are as apathetio about their own interests as the proverbial fox, who, instead of getting away from the hounds, ran into the middleof tbepaok, but lam compelled to state - that they ; have applied on several occasions to get the road repaired,, and the answer was an official "Nn funds, 1 1 might mention that one resident herd in addition to his ordinary rates lias to pay a license fee, and the return he receives is simply this—that when d customer or friend is anxious to visit his place he is debarred from doing so on account of the impassable state of the road. The next matter I have to deal with on this road question is what would be the estimated cost of repairing it. Good metal is obtainable at 10 chains length from the road and no bridges need be erected. And if any accident of a serious nature occurs, probably it will cost the County Council more in damages than what put the' road in' a fair condition, .

I hope the Council will seo its way clear to do some repairs to this much neglected road, and thus give the settlers of the district some return for the rates tlieiy contribute to the maintenance of other roads. The concert aud danco held at Tinui on Friday night last was a complete success, and the promoters are to bo congratulated for their efforts in providing the public with such a night's amusement. An amusing incident occurred here a few months ago. A traveller taking orders for one of the firms of our Empire City got lost in the bush. Not being acquainted with the various revolutions of the Mariner's compass (although having a map of the district with him), he hopelessly laid himself down lor the night in a dog kennel. Not believing in hunger he selected for his prey-a prize ram, aud after satisfying himself as far as food was concerned he laid himself down for the hight in expectation of something brighter to-morrow, To* morrow dawned, he started on his journey afresh, and met with better luck this time, He arrived at a homestead, but nobody being there at that time, he posted a notice as follows" Being in dire want I killed a sheep, I do not know who it belongs to. Send in your bill to—and I will pay tho damage," Little he thought it was a prize ram he ,was feasting on, and you may guess ■his surprise when he was sent a bill for £lO. I think bo considers the prioe of sheep rather exorbitant up here,

Work is rather scarce at present, but a few additional hands may bo put on at shearing time.

I suppose we may expect a visit ifiom those who intend to contest the i Masterton seatnext election, I need not inform intending candidates that they will have to promise to get our road repaired. I expect the polling booth will be at, the Grassendale soboolhouse this time instead of at Mauawa, as was ihe case at last eleotion. .

Death has claimed two most respected ladies of this district; Mrs Pickett,,of, Whakataki, and Mrs Liiv'ert6n,6t Pakawai. Much sympathy iSi felt-here for their sorrowing friends.'

Not being satisfied with the few race meetings held here yearly, two gentlemen made', up a race meeting on the Sabballuoti the public road. I need not toll you more; the affair will be ventilated in the local Magistrate's Court.

Mr Burling's racecourse has lately undergone a decided improvement, and the public will appreciate such repairs at tho next meeting. I understand they intend having a Bachelors Ball at Grassendale in a few week's timg, The untiring energy of the promoters, combined with the civility and attention of Host Burling, ought to ensure for their labours a orowdedho.use,