WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1285, 23 September 1880, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

Oitr quarterly cattle sale took place today contrary to expectations. There was a .small muster of stock, and prices ruled rather in favor of th^ buyer. About fifty head were sold. Considerable consternation w.us caused during the day among those who had brought dogs with them to the sale from the fact that .some dogs had taken poi&oa and died while the sale was going on, and some more are missing. This is not the first time that dogs have been poisoned in the township. Mr McKuight, a resident, found hi.s dog dead at his door one morning a week ago. A reward will probably be offered, so as to discover if possible who has been so cowardly as to laj r the poison. The fine weather has had the effect of improving the appearance of the country. Paddocks are green again, and the settlers are busy putting in their crops. A larger area will be put under crop this year, than heretofore, in spite of the low pricos now obtained. We all look forward to better prices for farm produce, ami a better nieaus of transporting it to market. Hitherto, it has not been the bad land of YVhatawhata, but the bad roads which have prevented a large quantity of produce being grown. The unsatisfactory state of Highway affairs in our district, still continues, the latest intelligence is that tlio Local Elections Act was not brought into force legally. This will have the effect of upsetting the recent election held under its provision, but failing- that, it has yet to be proved whether the officers are legally lit O v' elected. An. alarming rumor has lately boon current that the £1200 grant towards improving the W.upa road, is nob available for that part known as CLirk's Deviation, ; between HobbY and Stone's, and this work has just been made under the impression that it was available for it. However, I have heard that Mr Stewart has been over the new road, and approved of

it, this probably means that the contractors will be paid out of the grant, if not, it is difficult to sac where the money is to come fiom. While on the subject I might mention that the grant of £680 to the Tuhikaramea Highway Board, some time ago, for making the Waipa road through that district, was spent almost on a deviation road, laid out by Mr Clgt-k, and it would be making fi^h of one and flesh of the other, for the Government to stop the money from the Hobbs and Stone s line. — [Cobekspondent. 1