RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2595, 28 February 1889, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Accident.—We are sorry to have to record that Mr Thomas Mitchell, our esteemed County chairman, whilst proceeding to R:iglan from his residence last Saturday afternoon, when within a short distance of that place was violently thrown from his horse, the animal becoming restive and fell heavily upon his head. Fortunately his wife was with him, and finding her husband was unconscious, at once went forward to town to get assisitanco. Willing hands accompanied by Dr. Bay were soon on tho spot. Tho injured gentleman was at onco placed in a boat and taken horns. After examination Dr. Bay reported that no bones wore broken. His face was much swollen and ho was suffering great pain around tho back and chost. On Sunday evening ho seemed somewhat better, but on Monday not quite no well, and we are afraid it will bo soino days beforo much improvement takes place. Fish.—Our harbour never seemed to have more of the finny tribe in its waters, they swarm in every part. Our locul steamer, on one of her late trips here from Ksiwhia, and whilst off Gaiinet Island, caught a good number of hapuka, or as the, natives sometimes call them " whapuku." All along our coast, and far out into deep water, abundant supplies of splendid fish are to be caught, and amongst the numerous species soles are iu some parts abundant. Here is another opening for Australian enterprise. Let them bring their vessel suitably equipped, and with frozou chambers iu which to place the fish, and a few dixy's run will find them back again in Australian ports. We often read of the North Sea Trawling Fleets," but we believe it will not be many years hencn before all the ports on this west const, (Raglan and Kawhia in particular) are sendingtout their quota to the "Great South Sea Trawling Fleet" that will then ba flying many a penant in these waters. Ckoi's.—Good reports are coming in from all parts of the district, viz,, Ruapuke, Te Mata, Okete, Wainui, Whainyaroa, etc., of the lino yield of wheat, oats, potatoes, turnips, and other crops- On the Kopua flat near Riglan, tho natives have a grand crop of late potatoes now growing, which bid fair to produce a heavy yield. Kiu;iT. -- Th>) fruit crop is most abundant in the orchards of many settlers, whilst in others it is not so good as last year. Plums, pears and apples are thick upon the trees. Peaches, too, in many localities are looking up. But, alas ! here, as in other parts, growers fiud it difficult to rind what they consider remunerative prices, and are, to a great extent, sending their fruit to the Auckland market, in the hands of the middleman. I.'Yax.— The steady upward condition of tho Home matker, and the fact that the price is now about £40 per ton is cheering the hearts of our fl.ix producers. Some nrn t iking stops to send their flax direct for s.ile, there being a splendid margin left for profit in so doing. Wo are glad to hear that larger fields of flax will soon be thrown open in the district. CoAl..— There can be little doubt but that a large coal field exists here, extending right from Kuglan to Huntly and the Waipn. Kven in sinking wella in this township, shale and other e.idence of the existence of coal have been found. At the head of our noble harbour some years ago the natives and Mr Ferguson found it cropping out. More recently natives found it near 'Galvin's flax-mill, on Todd's creek, and now a better and more valuable seam has been discoveied by one of the Bartons. Hero we have tho very article required for our coming " ll«et of Australian traders," richly laden with the produce of Waikato. Chliicii SKitvici-s.—The Rev. Mr Walpolo conducted divine senion at Waitetuna on Sunday last, preaching there in the afternoon, and in tho evening'at Raglan. Good congregations assembled at both pUces. Tho Rev. Mr Stophenson, our Wesleyan minister, held the usual services at Raglan in the morning and at To Mata iu the afternoon of that day to good congregations.