EAST COAST ITEMS.

Evening Star, Issue 12871, 21 July 1906, Page 2

EAST COAST ITEMS.

[Special to the Star.] GISBORNE, July 21. Several local hotelkeepers have been summoned for an alleged breach of an almost forgotten clause in the Licensing Act of 1881—knowingly placing or selling bulk whisky in bottles from which the labels have not been destroyed. Several local business people have complained of receiving indecent post cards from some anonymous sender. The matter is in the hands of the police. A phenomenal downpour of rain was reported from Whatatutu yesterday after, noon.

Messrs W. D. Lysnar, Kells, and Field, on© of the sub-committees appointed to investigate the flood damage, were out from iiakaraka to Waexengaahika via Bushmere yesterday, and ascertained that so far there are sixteen families "who require assistance, and that it Trill take about £SOO to rehabilitate them. Subscriptions aro coming in freely to the flood relief fund, which totals about £3OO, and for the Nicolas orphan relief fund fully an equal amount must have been raised, whilst various projects are afoot to swell the total. Fifty men are now at work repairing the damage to the railway line. The work will, bo carried on right through Sunday, and it is expected to have the line ready for traffic on Monday or Tuesday. Mr J. J. Fry, who has just visited the wreck of the Aotea at Waipiro Bay; reports to Messrs Common, Sheldon, and Co., local agents, that it is possible to ride round the vessel at low water, and that the hull is apparently undamaged. Several holes have been cut in tho sides to allow an entiy to b© made, but owing to the strong indications of benzine vapor it has been deemed unsafe to strike a light, and therefore it is impossible to explore the interior. Very little cargo has come ashore, only a few sacks of flour and cases of kerosene having been picked up. Mr Fry considers it will bo possible to salvage the bait and cargo.

The damage to country roads and bridges by the recent floods was brought up at yesterday’s meeting of the Cook County Council, and it was the unanimous opinion of members that Government aid should bo in voiced. Captain Tnckcr (county chairman) thought that tho Government could bo asked for aid to the extent of £5,000.