RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2709, 21 November 1889, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Te Awamutu Cavalry.—On Saturday afternoon the cavalry arrived here from Te Awamutu, and on Sunday were joined by the men of the Raglan contingent. On Sunday morning the men were engaged in pitching their tents, which are placed on Green street, and as there was rather a strong south west wind blowing at the time some little difficulty was experienced in pegging the tents down. On Monday the troop were engaged in drill during the day, Captains Coleman and Bruce and Lieutenant Graham being in command. The peaceable occupation of our township by our gallant defenders has caused quite a flutter of excitement in our midst, and a good many settlers drove over on Sunday afternoon. There is to be a grand cavalry ball in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, and sports of various kinds are to take place on Saturday next. Colonel Shepherd is expected to arrive to-morrow, Wednesday evening.

The Cutter.—The natives have now purchased the cutter Fearless from Mr Hall, and after she has undergone the necessary repairs (having received some considerable injury when beached) she will be got off, and brought to the harbour. Several other parties were anxious to purchase her. Rawiri, the native who took her on to the coast, has made an excellent drawing of the several attempts she made to get to the shore, which does credit to the native artist. It seems at times they were in great peril, especially so during the second attempt to land. Rawiri met with some injury to his foot, and Mr Chas. Oldham suffered injury to one of his fingers. The natives are anxious to take the surf boat round the harbour for the remainder of the timber for Hall's mill, which now lies on Te Akau side of the harbour, and are trying to arrange to do so,

FLAX. —The s.s. Rowena is just in from Onehunga. A fine, cargo of flax awaits her. One firm alone, Messrs Wallis, of Okete, has nearly £500 worth of his fibre for shipment. Other millers have also large quantities, and at Kawhia, from the mills of Messrs Langley and Co., another large shipment awaits the steamer. When Mr Hall's mill gets to work a still larger export will take place from here, and either a larger steamer will have to be employed or our present one, the Rowena, come oftener to this port.

The Weather.—On Saturday afternoon a very heavy thunderstorm passed over the district of unusual severity ; the lightning was incessant and the thunder deafening. Hail in large quantities fell in some parts, especially at Te Mata and the north of Karioi, the ground being quite white with the fallen hail stones. Garden stuff somewhat suffered, the tender leaves being broken down, etc.