WHANGAREI NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 77, 3 April 1899, Page 6

WHANGAREI NOTES.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.)

'After a considerable spell of dry weather, we have been visited by a severe storm, which lasted four days. Considerable damage has been done to tbe later varieties of fruit, and many trees broken. Damage is also reported from the suburbs and out districts. The rivers were in flood, and on the Maunu road portions of Stone cnlverts have been carried away, fent the damage is not considerable, and the culverts will soon be repaired. Messrs Mclnuis and McPhee, the contractors for the new bridge across the Maungakahia River, have met with an unforeseen accident, by which the central pier of the bridge has been carried away, and has caused considerable loss. Further damage is reported from other parts, but not of any considerable extent. J -. Building operations Sh the town are brisk. Four substantial brisk shops are being erected in Cameron street^ on the site of the late fire. Messrs Harjrisob and Son have had a large portion of their property excavated preparatory to the erection of handsome and commodious premises consisting of cellar and two stories. _In Bank street the new premises for Messrs Bentley and Co. are fast approaching completion. Mr T. MeClm--feck has commenced the erection of

two brick shops, and a contract has been let by Mr A. E. Love for the erection of two commodious shops of two stories, the design of which is similar to that of Bentley and Co.'s building, andproinises. to be a handsome structure.

Mr Atkinson, manager for Atkinson and Co.'s gas works, is pushing the work forward. The retort sheds and bedding are complete. The pit for the gasometer is ready for its reception, and the greater portion of the gasometer is on the ground. The manager's residence and offices are very nearly complete,

Referring to the. fatal accident that occurred on Tuesday, J2Bth, at Piphvai bush, on making further inquiries, I am informed that McAulay was not Avorking Avith his brother, but with a young man named William J. Kemp, Deceased had taken n sub-contract from Messrs McDonald and Wrathall, who are contractors for the timber work in Black's bush, The deceased, Roderick McAulay, was a son of the late Alexander McAulay, and. was a native of Walpu, single, and has been living 'with his mother at the Mill brook. He Avas aged 23 years, and a splendid specimen of manhood, standing. Oft 4in in his stocking feet, and broad in proportion. The family are highly respected at Walpu, the surrounding district, nnd by all who knoAV them. The deceased Avas very papular, and muoh sympathy is felt for the afflicted family,