WHAKATANE ITEMS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1699, 17 June 1884, Page 2

WHAKATANE ITEMS.

(FKOM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Mb Riley, manager of the Pekapeka Station, left here about .mid-day on Monday (9th instant), with a mob of cattle, 52 in number, from the Waimana, for Cambridge, Waikato, overland. As they were crossing the Whakatane River, I heard several onlookers remarking as to the first-olass appearance they presented. It is to be hoped they will appear as well when they get to their journey's end. Mr Riley expects to reaoh Waikato about Tuesday next (17th instant). Mr Walmsley's ketch Opotiki is looked for daily from Auokland ' via Tairua, with a quantity of- timher for Messrs Simpson and Riishtori, arid others. She may be expected to show up any moment. Wi Kingi, the native chief from Opotiki, arrived here on Monday evening on his way to Wellington. He was , joined here by another from Maketu named Wata. Their mission is, I understand, ; to lay before the Government several grievances under which they consider they are sufl'ering ,* principally, i I believe, in connection with certain clauses in the Native Lands Act. Wi Kingi is a chief of considerable standing and great influence, and there is little doubt his endeavours will carry much weight when presented personally in the proper quarter. Messrs Simpson and Rushtou are pushing on their contract on the Whakatane- Opotiiu road wifch all due diligence. They are rapidly nearing the first half in point of distance (about lj miles) ,** but, as far as work is concerned, they have certainly done more than half, for in the latter portion they have, comparatively speaking, very little cutting to do, the principal items being a bridge across a creek called Maraetotara (fche timber for which is on board the Opotiki) and several culverts. Up to this week they have been greatly favoured by the weather, and been' able to work continuously, but it broke on Monday, and has been wet pretty well since. Still, I suppose they, as well as everybody else, will have " to grin and bear it." There is a mob of sheep from the Oporiau Station waiting the arrival of the Staffa for shipment, as also a quantity of pigs, which Mr Goodson is sending away, hut in consequence of the steamer being weather-bound in Opotild on Tuesday will, I suppose, have to wait till next week. Mr Langstone, the veterinary surgeon, who was practising his vocation at Major Swindley's station, returned to. Tauranga overland on Saturday, but I believe he is to pay us another visit shortly.