RAGLAN. Road Improvements,

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1587, 5 September 1882, Page 2

RAGLAN. Road Improvements,

At the last meeting of the Karioi Road Board, at which Messrs Thompson, Liddell, Phillips, H. Duncan and the chairman (Mr W. Duncan), were present, it was decided that some improvements should be effected upon the culverts on the Kauroa road, and also to the bridges on the Ruapuke and Waitomotomo road. The amount of wet weather which we have had this winter has been the means of doing much damage to the roads here, and it will take some time to thoroughly repair the evil which has been wrought upon them in several places. A considerable amount of heavy carting has also been done upon them, which, as a matter of course in their soft state, has greatly increased the evil. Accident. Mr James Swann, one of the men employed by Mr Sutton at his flax-mill has had his hand severely injured whilst scutching flax. I hear, however, that he is progressing favourably towards recovery. Flax Industry. The flax industry in this district still continues steadily to increase, and a large quantity of the prepared article is now being exported. Raglan flax still holds its prestige as being some of the best in the market, and it must be gratifying, to every well-wisher of this district to perceive such a result. I notice that Mr, J Frissell, surveyor, has been laying off the site for Messrs Gilmour Bros.' flax mill, which they purpose building at the head of Opoturu creek. It appears to be their Intention to commence operations as soon as possible. Mr W. Liddell, of Ruapuke, has been engaged to erect a mill for Mr JohnnMoore, of Waitetuna, on the site of the one which he had burned down about three years ago. Now that flax is again bringing a fairly remunerative price, he finds that it will be to his advantage to start work again. Wilson Bros are also preparing flax at Kerikeri near Raglan. There are now eight mills in full working order here,

which should certainly help to lend an impetus to the commercial prosperity of the Raglan distant. Capture of a Whale. The natives in Kawhia have been busily employed during the past week in extracting the oil from a large sperm whale which they have managed to capture. It was fifty feet in length, and has proved an opportune and welcome gift to them. I was in Kawhia a few days since, and noticed that in, every. household they were burning the oil for light. It was very clear, and altogether it really appeared to be sperm whale oil, as it did not emit any smoke. If the whale had been caught when there were means of properly disposing of the blubber it would have proved of some value ; as it is, half of it has been simply wasted. Fish Industry. Now that summer is near, I would again draw the attention of the public to the opening which exists here for the successful starting of a fish trade with Waikato. I have several times made public in the columns of your paper, the fact that the bay of Whangaroa (Raglan) teems with fish of various sorts ; oysters' and shell fish may also be secured in large quantities. In the face of all this, and with the possibility of being able to drive a wheeled vehicle between here and Waikato, I should imagine that a systematic and regular carriage of fish to the several centres in Waikato would turn out to be a remunerative undertaking. From the scarcity of fish in that district I feel certain that any which may be exported from here would meet with a ready and profitable sale. They could be taken to Hamilton in six hours. In that space of time they would not spoil, so that little risk would be incurred in that direction. Even whitebait can be had here as good as what can be seen at Greenwich ; and the oysters would not disgrace any London restaurant. Under such circumstances the enterprise spoken of is surely well worth a trial. I am bold to predict that under proper management it would soon turn out to be a decided success, and early return to the speculator the outlay which he would at first be put to.

Salmon Trout Ova. Efforts are again being made to have salmon trout introduced into the most suitable streams in this district. I say again, as this is the second time an attempt has been made to do so. Owing to a flood, which happened just as the boxes were placed and made ready to receive the ova, and by which the whole concern was carried away, the last attempt was unsuccessful. Subscriptions towards the furtherance of the scheme came readily to hand, and all things promised an early and pleasant termination to the labours of the committee who had taken the matter in hand, when the progress of this enterprise received a sudden and unwelcome check Nothing daunted, however, a meeting of the subscribers has again been held in the Waitetuna schoolroom, and they have decided that steps be taken to have a place prepared to receive the ova in the Okete river, near Mr Wallis, who has kindly consented to give proper attention to the matter. The necessary timber for the making of the boxes has already arrived, and a supply of ova has been promised by the acclimitisation society. The quantity to be sent wilI, I am happy to say, be sufficient to stock all the streams here, of which there are a good many. It is to be hoped that the trout will thrive and increase rapidly, and then we may expect to see the disciples of Izaak Walton, coming from Waikato to pass a day or two with us in the prosecution of their beloved art,

Californian Quail. Speaking of the introduction of new animals here ; I may mention that T. B. Hill of Auckland has liberated on his. estate, since I last wrote, twelve brace of Californian quail, which he got from the Acclimatisation Society. They were all healthy, and when let down did not seem to have suffered much from their captivity. Telegraph to Raglan. From the following letter it will be seen that Mr Whitaker, M.H.R. is using his efforts to give effect to the recomendation of the Raglan Harbour Board, in support of which, a petition; numerously signed by the residents here, has also been forwarded to him for presentation to the House of Representatives. . Wellington, 18th August, 1882. W. Duncan Esq, Raglan. . Dear Sir, — In reference to your letter of August 7th.— l am moving heartily both in the matter of the metalling of the Raglan and Waipa road, and also about the telegraph line. I have but very little doubt that if the loan proposals of the Government pass into law, I shall be able to accomplish both these objects. Yours faithfully, F. A. Whitaker.