RAGLAN NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2298, 2 April 1887, Page 3

RAGLAN NOTES.

[raoir ouu own corrkspondknt.] Raglan, March 28. Whilst going over the Hakarimata Range on my journey to Hamilton last week, was very glad to see that the Governinei have placed a number of men at work upo the Raglan and Waipa Road. The G( vernment Engineer, who recently inspecte the road, has men employed under th superintendence of Mr Loane, and thes are making a really good job of it. Startin; from the foot of the range on the Waip side, they havo now reached the house o Mr Loane. The tables have been dug am cleared out. the earth being thrown into thi middle of the road, fresh culverts placed ii position, and hollow places in the roadwa; filled up. A new bridge is also to be built So tftat when winter approaches the worl clotty will be of great value in the mninten ance of the road. If, on the worst places, ; little metal were placed, which could b< done at little cost, a still greater improve lrißnt would be effected. The zeal of the Government in repairing their portion of the road is a striking con trast to the Whaingaroa, Karioi, anc Raglan Highway Boards. The road, starting from Raglan until it leaves the Whain garoa Road Board boundary is, whilst in t fair condition for summer time, yet capable of great improvement. Many of the bridge? are in want of repair ; some should be en tirely replaced by new structures. The road from Raglan to Okete Bridge could be shortened by at least a mile and a-half. The gradients all along require alteration, and in many ways the road could be much improved. The Whaingaroa Board are, I am glad to say, moving in the matter. A culvert of earthenware is being placed under Haslit's bridge, just beyond Mr Sutton'-s, and earthwork placed over the pipes. Tenders are being called for work upon the road, and repairs to one of the bridges. Part of

the loan the board are Retting from the Go

vernment, (£150), is to be applied for the construction of a now bridge there. The district can never progress until this road is in a good state of repair. Refreshing , showers fell all over the district during the last week, doing much good to the pastures and gardens of settlers. Grass is being sown in many places, and green oats for winter feed springing up. Parties returning to Raglan from the hot springs, inform me that a good number of visitors from Huntly and other places are there still. The \vhare3, besides several large tents, are full of the halt and lame waiting to step down into the waters.

Another block of land within five miles of the springs, has now been taken up, on the road to Firewood Creek. And when the road is surveyed and made to the springs from thence, a great number, no doubt, will visit them from Ngaruawabia. At a meeting of the Raglan Licensing Committee, held in the court-house, March 2b'te, at which the following gentlemen were present :—Messrs J. K. McDonald, A. Gilmour, R. Pliilp and J. Wylie, Mr J. K. McDonald was elected chairman.

Messrs Vercoe and Co. are now burning a large quantity of lime to the order of a Taranaki firm. The steamer is expected to come in for it on Friday next. They have also large orders from Auckland. Tart of the above is for agricultural purposes I am informed.

Mr Sutton is erecting , a large corrugated iron store on his ground, adjacent to-his Temperance Hotel here, thus showing his faith in the future prosperity of the district.

Next Saturday a public meeting of the Raglan ratepayers is to be held, to consider the advisability of obtaining a loan of £350 for the construction of a wharf here.

I am glad to say that the health of Mr J. J. Barugh, who has been staying here for the last month for'the benefit of the change, has been much improved by his sojourn.