RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2059, 17 September 1885, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Mr T. B. Hill, with his usual forethought for the advancement of this district, sent by last steamer a large number of bundles of basket willow cuttings. They have been planted out by various settlers in suitable localities. It seems a pity that we cannot supply the Auckland market with the material required in the basket trade. At present what is required is imported from Tasmania. For a fortnight previous to the ninth of this month, we have had very rough weather. The sea, as far as the eye could reach, presented a grand sight. The gulls and other sea birds came inland, and their cry was heard above the roar of the wind as they flew over the house tops. The morning of the ninth broke as wild as could be, and at six a.m. certainly it did not appear as if we should get a sight of the eclipse of the sun. And how many eyes throughout New Zealand were anxiously looking skyward ! Just previous to 6.30., dark and gloomy clouds gathered around the sun, but a strong south-west wind having sprung up, they cleared away, and the commencement of the eclipse was plainly visible. And though clouds kept passing over the sun, yet the view obtainwas upon the whole a fair one. At the period of the greatest obscuration the eclipse was a beautiful sight, and the part of the sun not hid appeared like a " silver barque'' upon a dark and angry sea. The corona was plainly visible, and presented a splendid sight. Though there was little change in the colour of the clouds, all around the edge of the sun and from it beautiful colours of all shades appeared. The rooms in the south part of the house were dark and gloomy, but in consequence of the many dark clouds the contrast was not so great as it would have been had the eclipse occurred on a bright morning. The flowers presented a weird and beautiful appearance, their various bright natural colours being much altered to the view. The sparrows crept to their nest in the tree-tops, and one settler is said to have begun to take off his boots, intending to retire to rest. The morning was very cold. Whatever effect the movement of the heavenly bodies may have upon the weather I cannot aiy, but immediately after the eclipse the wind shifted to the south, and ever since bright and beautiful weather has prevailed. For several mornings after, in many parts of the district, sharp frosts took place. The steamer Hannah Mokau came in on Saturday afternoon. She had been prevented from coming at her usual time, owing to heavy weather. After unloading her cargo for this port she proceeded up to the lime and stone works of Mr Ferguson to load several tons of lime and building stone. The latter is found on the property of Mr Bruce. Mr Ferguson had two pieces of it, about two inches square. nicely cut (bottle and fillet). The moulding stands out as if cut by machine. It is a light blue sandstone, fine, but easily worked, and is found over an extent of 300 acres. Three sides of the specimen were smooth and rubbed, the other with top left rough. It is found thirty feet deep over tho area above mentioned. A natural cliff of it 20ft. high appears unaffected by the weather. All who have seen it speak very highly of it. Mr Ferguson, who cut 4000 ft. of stone for the cathedral in Christchurch, says it is the best building stone he has yet seen in this colony. He also states that it very much resembles in its nature the stone of which Walter Scott's monument is erected. Blocks of 11 to 15 cwt. have been sent up to Auckland. One of the pieces dressed is for Mr T, B Hill, the other for the Exhibition. It is to be hoped the experts in Auckland may find this stone suitable for building purposes. If so, another export will have been found for Raglan, for here we have quantity to build a city, if the quality only suits. We are expecting a lot of catfish down by an early steamer. Mr T. B. Hill has written to say they were coming, and it is to be hoped our streams will soon have plenty of trout in them An temperance entertainment takes place on Wednesday night at the Wesleyan Church. Mr Moon has just finished a tramway from the beach to the top of his lime kiln. He will thus more easily get up the limestone. The kiln he has made is a very large one, and will turn out a great quantity of lime. A large quantity of firewood is being cut for the kiln, but coal will also be used. The first burning will take place within a week. Many of the settlers engaged in the flax dressing business, owing to the low price obtained, are turning their attention to the desirability of making rope and twine. A gentleman has gone up to Auckland to see about machinery for that purpose. And if not too expensive may be he will start in this new industry. At a meeting of tho Karioi Highway Board held at Te Mata, last Saturday, it was decided to divide the district into two parts, allowing the rates collected in each division to be spent in the same. It was also decided to call a public meeting to be held in Raglan of the ratepayers in the Karioi riding which consist of three Highway Boards, Whaingaroa, Karioi, and Raglan, to consider the desirability of bringing the Counties Act into force — (Own Correspondent, Raglan, September 15th.)

We ilirt-rt attention in the new adrcrtisement of J. Martin and Son, tailors, Hamilton Anotiie in ffinnei lion nith tlic pmperty tix appears in miotln r column. Mr H Cowper nil! soil at the- Caml>ndc<Auition Mart on Saturdij, a large assortment of books furniture and sundries. Mr Mi'phui 1 iic'Vit. (*ro< er, fruiterer, md proMSion dealer, Hamilton, notifies tint h • hai removed to the premises lately ore upitd h\ Messrs Scott and Cox Attention is dirt i ted to his now advertisement Messrs W J Hunter and Co will sell at the Cambridge Yard* on >aturilay mil, in tlir .tssigntd estate of Jonathan Hill, totara posts, straining posts, corniirated iron, tows, pi(;s, fencing wne, Icl , K.i , On l'rul.i\, tho liSth, thrj mil hold i clearance xalu of horiiit, cattle, sheep, farming implements, &c , Ice , the property of Mr John Batkin A full list of lots is published in ad\ertisenient A \\ lsr Di acos — •' Deacon Wilder, I wml joii totell me liow jou kept jourself mil fimilv so well tho past season, when ill the ri st of us li.i\p been tick so much, and have hid the doctors iiinninu to us so often," Iliother laylor, the answer n rcry i>ns>. I used Hop Bitters in time, and \>e L t my f.innly well, and saved lar^e doctor's bills. Four shillings' woith of it kept us all v.i'll and able to work all the time, and I will warrant it has cost )ou ?nd most of jour neighbours /.10 to /.1(X) apiece to keep sick the same time. I fancy you will take ray medicine hereafter." See