WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1550, 10 June 1882, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

The heavy rains we have been experiencing lately have been a great drawback to roail contractors in this part of the district, the main roarls being in some parts impassable. It is the same old grievance : boards will not commence wovk in the dry weather, but prefer waiting until the winter sets in. The main roads irom Ngaruawahia to Alexandra are in a very bad state, and road boards should take advantage now the Parliament is sitting to urge on the member for the district to obtain a grant to put them in thorough repair. The main road from here to Ngaruawahia. is impassable ; consequently we have to revert to the old road over Bonfrey's hill. The main road on the west side of the river also requires looking after, and when the bridge at Ngahmepouri is built, which i hear is contemplated by the Government, will be a great boon to the settlers on that side and the people residing at Harapepe. The old bridge is in a very dangerous state, and is perfectly rotten. I hear that the native difficulty is now at an end in regard to the site of the bridge, so it is to be hoped it will not be long before tenders are called for this most necessary work. The road to Raglan alsorequires looking after, as slips are constantly occurring, and for wheeled traffic it is dangerous to pass, owing to the narrowness of the roadway, which on the mountain should be much wider, so as to allow vehicles to pass one another, which I think rather dangerous at present. I must now refer to the Whatawhata bridge, and the injury done by the natives dragging over logs of wood (trees) for firewood, which will soon wear out the planking, and does not at all improve the approaches to the bridge. A notice both in Maori and English, posted at each end of the bridge would put a stop to that sort of thing, also galloping. The Maoris are not the only culprits in that sort of thing. An amateur theatrical company is being organised here, under the able management of Mr Corderoy. The names of the pieces I do not know at present, but the members are practising, and I hear are getting quite proficient in their parts. It will tend to enliven the dulness of the winter evenings. Sergeant Foster, of the A.C. Force, under instructions from Colonel Lyon, has been visiting this part to report on the condition of the burial grounds of the pioneers and those who losfc their lives in opening up the country, which is a most praiseworthy object; and it shows great forethought on the part of the present Government in looking after such a good undertaking. Colonel Lyon, with ! his usual energy, lost no time in carrying out the instructions of the Government, , ! and in his selection of an officer Ito report on this subjecthe could not have got a 'better man.— [Own .Correspondent.]

MrJ.F. Andrew, Te A-waimitu, has t to hand a large assortment of all descriptions of , clothing, fancy goods ,<wools, &c., &c. The Waikato County "^Council notify that it is their intention to close a certain road t in th'e'ou'tlylrig district of Rangtryl, near Taupin.' ' The^KiriKiriroa^HighLway 'Board notifythat at a1;a 1 ; meeting' of the board! held on the '7th inst.,itw»s'resolYe4tq ( strik« a rate of Is m the