WHANGAREI JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 297, 14 December 1892, Page 2

WHANGAREI JOTTINGS.

The building trade is brisk at Whangaro 1 just now; no less than ten different buildings are being erected about the township. The "Northern Advocate " also called for tenders for a new building at corner of Vine and Cameron-sbs. Tenders have been accepted for large school building near the township, and tho Oddfellows intend to call for tenders for erection of a hall shortly. Operations at the Ngunguru coalfield aro being pushed on vigorously, and although the web weather has delayed work somewhat, good progress has been made. Tho tramway to connect with work is more than half completed ; as soon as this is complete the Company will bo ready to supply coal, lb is expected that the first shipment of coal will bo gob away aboub the end of January. The company who are opening up this mine have boen employing from 30 to 40 hands for tho past four monbhs. Much dissatisfaction exists among country settlers and others who aro using the main north road from the Whakapara Bridge bo Kamo through Hikurangi. This road which has had an immense amount of money spent on it, and which is extensively used, is being rapidly cut to pieces by the hoavy coal carting from Hikurangi. The County Council havo voted £25 during this lasb year to be expended in keeping ib in repair (this owing to their wishing to reduce their overdraft). They will find, however, that this is a penny wise and pound foolish policy, as in the state into which it is rapidly lapsing, it will take hundreds of pounds to put ib right again, when a few pounds judiciously spent; here nnd there would at loasb have kopb ib open, If nothing is done before winter it will simply be impassable. Tho Governmenb should certainly bo asked bo do more in connection with this main north road. The monthly cattle sale ab Kamo was notable for the high prices obtained for all classes of cattle, and settlers here must have been greatly benefited and pleased at tho rates obtained. Mr Wakelin intends to hold his yearly wool sale again this yoar, and the date is already fixed. The owners of the Waipu silver mine at Puhipuhi have commenced working choir claim again. In this they should bo quite justified, as' the amount of gold alone obtained in their lasb crushing ab the. Thames would yield a handsome return, without counting the silver obbained. j