RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2604, 21 March 1889, Page 2

RAGLAN.

New Wharf—Although the contractor for the erection of this important public work has been busy during the last few months getting ready the piles and other material for its construction, it was only on the afternoon of Thursday, March 14th, that the first start was made. A good number of settlers assembled to witness the driving of the first pile, and watched the operations with great interest. The health of the contractor (Mr R. Bruce) was drunk in the usual fashion with success to the new wharf, and thus began a work long contemplated, and started under many difficulties, yet destined, we trust, to be of lasting benefit to us all. Most of the piles are now ready, and the natives are engaged in getting them down the harbour. It is expected it will take the contractor six weeks or more to drive all the piles, after which the work will make rapid progress. A RAGLAN Orchard— We were much pleased yesterday upon paying a visit to the orchard of Mr Bulford, situated on the other side of the street. The trees are many of them loaded with apples of various sorts. Great pains have been taken both in planting a selection of sorts, and especially in the cultivation of the soil (a stiff clay sub-soil.) Last Spring the entire ground was deeply trenched and the effect becomes apparent in the renewed vigour of the trees and of their increased yield of fruit. Shelter trees have been planted, a double belt on the westward and windy side which will soon afford grand protection for the trees. After enjoying the luscious fruit, we thought how many orchards like this might be planted here. Visitors. —Standing the other day in Cliff-street, just opposite the Post-office, three well laden carriages drove round the corner, coming from Waikato. Amongst the visitors we were glad to see our old friend Mr Barugh, coming once more with his family. Some of the Waikato visitors have made a long stay, the family of Mr Douglas staying here many weeks. We are to have of one the Auckland professors here for a few weeks, and either on scientific research or on pleasure bent, we hail one and all to our healthy resort.