RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2207, 31 August 1886, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Dukinc the last two week* of July and the first week of the present month we enjoyed very tine wea-ther, though very old; but sinco then we have had little, except wet, boisterous weathei. A large quantity of lmid was ploughed up in the district during July, ready foroat<* and potatoes, and farmers are now anxious to sec tine weather to get in the former crop. But the ground i.s so saturated with water that sonic days must elapse before it can be worked. This hjs certainly been a severe winter, and the frost remaining on the ground longer than in any previous ycais. Last night nevere hailstorms passed over the district, and today it is much colder, with driving shower* of rain and hail. The Not them Steamship Company's s.x. Staff a is now our tegular trader to this port, coming every fortnight. A gentleman who has just settled in our midst, and who, certainly spe» the needs of this port, has wntteu a letter to the local body in charge ot the whsuf, etc., drawing their attention to the nectMsity for the erec tion of a now wharf out to deep water, so that all vessels could discharge cargo at any time. As it is much time is lo>t. And seeing that railway communication to other parti i>, owing to our neglected road, of no use to sjttleis to get their produce to a market, a. wharf out to deep water which would unable \ es-t>]s to come more frequently than they now do would be of great bene Ht to tlirt district. Then no doubt we should have weekly tiips of the steamer, and settlers would be encomaged to produce more for the Auckland market than they now do. Freights would be reduced ; more visitor* would come, and in all respects treat good would follow. During the la*t two months several new settlers have arrived in our midst, Mr Austin having tak^n the farm formerly occupied by Mr Harsant, at Kaiuoa, and adjoining land ; Mr Allens family have leased Mi Phillip's place near Te Mata ; and we have every reason to believe that many other settlers will soon locate themselves here. There is room for all, and as we are only seven hours sail front Onehunga, there cm be no great difficulty in Retting produce to a maiket It is true things aie depressed in the farm inpj hni* ; ut will they so continue. In Australia oiiiv a few years ago, farm pio dnce, at least beef and mutton, ruled very low, now they au> selling well, why may it not bu so here"/ With a steady flow of emigiaiits of the right sort, the adoption of Mr V.iile's railway reform, and the most liberal land laws, things will soon mend. It seems idle to oppose emigration when we considei what energetic steps other countries aie adopting to .secure .settlement. Look at Canada. They are endeavouring to got settleis placed on the lands adjacent to their great Pacific Railway, and have writers advocating the desirability of such settlement, who contribute b.)th to London, and Provincial papers. For without a steady flow of emigration no new country can progres>,. Seeing that a large sum has been granted both to Rotorua and to Te Aroha for domain purposes, it seems a pity the celebrated Whaingaroa Hot Springs Domain Board have received nothing. The Government, to give them a start, should certainly, with equal justice, have placed a sum an the Estimates. It is to be hoped the board will endeavour to obtain from Government a sum sufficient for tho purpose of laying out the domain. What is the use of creating boards without funds ? Great regret is expressed throughout the district on the retirement of Mr A. Gihnofjr from the position of Raglan postmastei, which office he has held for the last twelve years, giving every satisfaction to the postal authoiities, and at all times, by his courtesy to all settlers. Mr J. H, Phillips, having taken over the business premises of MesKis Gilmour, has nl.so succeeded Mr A. Gilmour as postmaster here. Last Friday being pay day for natives owning the Te Akau station, a koen business competition is taking place here, no less than three firms from Auckland, bebides the two local storekeepers, being actively engaged in relieving the natives of their surplus cash. One would have thought there would have been, in these times, little enough for our local storekeepers, but it seems not, bo keen is the competition of the times. The Raglan Highway Board have had the face of tho wharf built up where the stones had rolled down. They are now calling* tenders for a denick for same; also for the erection of a buoy to be placed at the entrance of the channel leading to the wharf. Tin- separation of this county from the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid l)u»tiict soems to give univeis.il satisfaction. If a hospital is erected it should be on as small a scale as possible. But how we are to get injured parties over our mountain road, during winter months is more than 1 can tell. At any rate chaiiUble aid should in all cases be administered by local bodies. Tho weather is still boisterous, and bids fair to l»i anything but pleasant for the Hrst M-.it of the Key. R. (i. BoW, who is expected heie during the ne\t few days. However, let us hope it may dear up for settlers to avail themselves of his ministrations.—(Own Correspondent, August 27, !«»*•).