WHAKATANE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1825, 14 April 1885, Page 4

WHAKATANE.

(fkom our own correspondent.) m Tr . , _ April 8. The Ketch Venus, Neil, master, having discharged her cargo of timber took her departure for Mercury Bay *?• y^r 12, on Satur day, 4th inst., at which places she is to load again with timber, part being for H.P. Bluett Esq. and part for E. Abbott of Opotiki. She took away from here five tons of potatoes consigned by Mr J. D. Wrigley to the above places. The N.S.S. Co. are at present doing the bountiful towards us in the matter of Mail delivery; during the past week the Douglas carried five mails counting inward and outward services, this is an improvement which it is to be hoped will continue. The Whakatane Highway Board meeting, which should have taken place on the lst. of April, did not eventuate; in consequence of the absence of any funds to their credit, there was really nothing for them to do.

I understand that Mr ,T. D. Wrigley hag sold the balance of the lease of hia farm here to 11. P. Bluett Esq. Messrs Erancis and G. Bell while outside the heads on Sunday morning sth. inst. came in unpleasant proximity with a shark, or rather the Bhark did with their boat, for he went up to it and rubbed noses "a la Moari;" fortunately, (to give them an excuse for saying adieu to his "worship" a breeze sprang up, when they tripped anchor and steered homewards, followed for fully a quarter of a mile by the "denizen." Mr Erancis assures me it was quite 11 feet long, rather an unpleasant companion for them, had they been in the water instead of the boat; sharks appear to be very numerous just now, both at this place and Ohiwa, judging from reports which reach here.

The plans for the new residence which is to be erected for H. P. Bluett Esq. arrived by the Mail on Sunday, sth inst., since when they hare been inspected by a good number of people, professional and otherwise, all of whom appear to concur in the very neat yet handsome appearance of the "Elevation." The house is to contain 6 rooms with v verandah on three sides and when complete will form quite f a feature in the landscape of the district. Tenders are invited for its erection, returnable on llth inst.; what with the work in connection with this, additions to be made to the Whakatane Hotel, and other smaller contracts, carpenters 1

are likely to he well employed here, for some time to come.

The natives of the Ngatiawa tribe, Webster, Chief, are following the example set them by other tribes, and are going into sheep-farming. They passed through here on Tuesday, 7th mst,, with some 480 sheep which they have purchased from Peka Peka Tahi (Major Swindley's run;) and have located them on the Ohopi hills where it is to be hoped they will thrive. A vast difference between seeing the natives tending a flock of sheep to-day, and what one might hay*} seen in this place some twetity-five or thirty years ago, as our "oldest identity'" could tell us without much preamble. Mr Phillips of the Government survey office who has been located on the East coast some four years or more, passed through here on Wednesday Bth inst. en route for Auckland. I understand that his labours m this locality are for the preaent suspended. I doubt not he will carry with him many pleasant memo, ries of his stay in Opotiki and else where in its neighbourhood. Mr B. W. Simpson who has been emp'ioyod lately superintending the blasting operations in the river which have been carried on by natives, is about to commence a new industry. I understand that he has leased for a term, the island called Ohakana, (commonly known as Bluett's island,) situated in the Ohiwa harbour; the extent of the island is some 150 acres and consists of two hills with a deep gully between. Here Mr Simpson intends to take up his residence and commence operations in pig farming, for which purpose he has purchased from E. E. Buckworth Esq. of Ropeopeo, 40 pigs of the Berkshire breed, (they are, I understand, Pedigree animals) which should be the foundation of a lucrative business; in connection with the pig breeding, he also intends to go in largely for poultry raising; we will wish him success in both his endeavours. The timber for the erection of his house is laying here waiting tlie return of tho Venus to convey it to the island. "Whakatane is evidently fortunate with its maize crop this season. I understand Mr G. Creek has got his "housed" already, and Mr P. Brown is pulling his, both these crops are of the kind known as "Early," but still they are "housed" nearly a month earlier than last season.

The "Douglas" arrived this morning about ten o'clock from Tau. ranga, and after discharging cargo and mails left by the same tide for Opotiki.