RAGLAN

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1530, 25 April 1882, Page 2

RAGLAN

The intelligence, that it is the intention of the postal authorities to make provision at an early date to haA r e the carnage of the mails between Ngaruawahia and Raglan done by a wheeled service, has been received with much satisfaction by the lesidents in this district. At present the mail is carried on horseback and as far as regularity is concerned, I have never heard any complaints. The chief advantages to be derived from the change, however, will be the probability that the regular running of a wheeled vehicle, twice a week between Raglan and Waikato may prove of great convenience to travellers and tourists ; as I assume the mail conveyance would also carry passengers. The public here may thus expect to see far more visitors to this district than there now are, or ever has been. This again raises the question of the keeping in repau 1 of the road over the HaUaramata range, which if not soon attended to, may early lead to serious consequences. To metal the worst portions of it would undoubtedly be the easiest and most effectual method of overcoming the difficulty. The stone for the purpose could be procured upon the top of the range, &o that its cartage would thus pro\ can easy matter. The stone is well suited for the work ; a portion of the road in question having been metalled with it two years ago, and which has macadamised it splendidly. The road is likely under piesent circumstances to be very much cut up during the winter months, which as a matter of course must spoil it for summer use. Mr King, the present contractor for the keeping ot it in repair does his work effectually ; but I am afraid that in time he will find his task far from an easy one, if he does not receive some assistance in the way I mention. Considering that this road is the only one from Raglan to Waikato, the settlers here would do well in seeing that its requirements are attended to as soon as possible. During the last week the district has received another resident in the person of the Rev Mr Hauraki , who has been sent here by the Wesleyan Conference to assist the Rev Mr Slacle with his ministerial work amongst the Maoris in the Aotea and Raglan districts. I have been told (for the correctness of the report I do not vouch) that it is his intention to reside upon the Wesleyan Mission property at Aotea,, which has remained unoccupied sinca the late Rev Mr Schnackenberg left it in 18G7 shortly after the murder of the Rev Mr Whitely by the Maoris at the White Cliffs. On the Gst inst a seveie shock of earthquake was felt heie, as also at Aotea. It appeared to come from n> southerly direction and go northwards. The shock was the greatest ever felt here as far as I can find out, and happened about 4 p.m. Quite an exodus of Maoris will take place from this district, after the Aotea races on the 21 &t inst to Whatiwhatihoe, wheie, I believe, there are already a large number. To make arrangements for the great native meeting next month food has been collected here for some time past, with the object of taking it to Whatiwhatihoe to feed the large gathering of persons which is expected to be there. Dried fish is likely to be in great quantity there, and any person acquainted with the manner in which this article of diet is prepared by the natives must be aware that a considerable amount of anuoyance will be inflicted upon their olfactory organs. Great results are anticipated by the Maoris to be the outcome of their deliberations at this meeting) many vexed questions are to be finally settled, aud some tribal disputes of long .existence have at last a prospect of being amicably arranged. Let ua hope their predictions will prove correct. It will benefit Loth races if such is the result of their prophesies. Mr Ellis, of Aotea, having finally given up hi 3 business, has been succeeded by Mr J. ft. Philips, one of our oldest settlers, and who, I have no doubt, will in time make himself popular with the residents here. I heartily wish him much prosperity in his new line of business. Mr J. Latrobe who, for many years, has filled the position of teacher at the Waitetuna School, has been appointed by the Board of Education to the charge of the, Whatawhata School, and leaves the district at an early date. During his residence he has also acted as lay-reader for the Church of England, and has earner! the esteem and goodwill pf r the l residents in both capacities. — [Own i Correspondent.], ',r, r ' , ,

Mr J. S. Buckland has received in- , structlons from Mrs benjamin Edwards, to sell at the Hamilton Hotel, bn Saturday, May Oth, the wbojc of her Liyory Plant, consisting horses, buggies, coachos, harness, Sec. ' ■ ' i Mr TfV. Htepatrick'bas for lease with , ■purqhasingr! clause, a 'farm ''of 350 l 'acre<, }dtHo