COASTAL LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 72, 28 March 1901, Page 3

COASTAL LETTER.

(Times Travelling Correspondent.) Waipiro, last night. > A painful accident happened to a little son of Mr McCullough of Te Araroa one day this week, his hand being jambed in a door, which accidentally swung on it. Everything possible was done for the little chap, and by latest accounts he was doing well. The steamer Omapere is landing a considerable amount of cargo on the Coast, where she has been working since last Wednesday morning. Arriving at Tokomaru Bay early this morning, the steamer was kept busy all day, and at night left for Tolago. The Omapere should reach Gisborne on Thursday. She has the reputation of being a very “slow ’tin '' on the Coast, but 1 do not know what settlers would do without her. Several commercial travellers have been making their periodical visits to the Coast this week, including Mr A. T. If >okey, the popular Gisborne manager or Messrs A. Clark and Sons ; Mr Capper, representing Messrs Wiseman and Sons ; and Mr W. Potter, the well-known representative of Messrs T. and S. Morrin and Co., of Auckland. The three gentlemen mentioned visited the Waipiro hot springs on the journey up the Coast, and speak in glowing terms .of the treatment they received at that placo. Mr A. T. Ngata, M.A., is building a large house for himself at Awanui, and a good deal of the material has already been landed. Ho is much respected among the Natives on the Coast, being their guide, philosopher, and friend. Mr and Mrs Ngata are at present visiting Auckland.

The inland track from Awanui to Kawakawa is in first-rate order, and makes travelling very easy, much preferable to the coast.

The more hardened travellers on the coast tell a good story of a well-known Gisborne tradesman who has during the past week broken all previous records for a long trip from Tokomaru to Tolago, his time for the journey extending over twelve hours.

l’akarae was the scene of great activity to-day, when upwards of two hundred natives who were on their road to the festivities at Murewai halted for lunch. The genial host of the Pakarac Hotel, Mr if. Shaw, was put to his wits’ end to enter for them, but lie came through the ordeal with (lying colours, and sent them away satisfied. The Pakarac Hotel is one of the most pleasant stopping places on the whole coast, and the excellent manner in which it is conducted is highly creditable to Mr Shaw. It is quite an ordinary occurrence on a Sunday or holiday to sec from thirty to forty visitors from Gisborne coming out for lunch, and the hospitality of Mr and Mrs Slmw is remarked upon by all who visit the hotel. Tides have been extraordinarily high on the Coast during the past week. Settlers who have lived many years at coastal parts state that they have not seen them so high for a long time.

Mr G. J. White, of Tokomaru, is at present visiting Gisborne. The new road on this side of Tokomaru, recently formed by the Waiapu County Council, is highly spoken of by travellers. It lias an excellent grade, and is likely to stand the wear and tear by traffic, boing formed of good sand-stone. Mr 0. Ryan, tile capable engineer of the County, lias good reason to be pleased with his ellorts, and he lias the gratitude of all who have •occasion to travel towards Tokomaru. The attention of the Board of Education requires to bo called to the urgent need for extra accommodation at the Tolago school. There is at present serious cause for complaint, the Native and European children being crowded in a manner tlmt should not he permitted. Application has been made for increased accommodation upon several occasions, hut so far nothing has boon done. Tolago is a fast rising township, and certainly demands more attention from the Educational authorities of tho district than it has been receiving. A number of station holders in the district have received a begging letter from an individual in Australia, asking them to fonvaixThim the sum of 4)2 to redeem a theodolite which he had in pawn. Several gentlemen by chance meeting together yesterday, found themselves in possession of a letter couched in similar terms and asking for the sum slated. The letters nearly all bore wrong addresses, although tho name of the person receiving it was given correctly. In a number of instances tho address was given as Gisborne, Napier. The sender represented himself as being well-known to them all, having at one timo occupied a good position in the Survey Department on ths East Coast. Stationlioldcrs in this district arc noted for their liberality, but it would be as well for them to think twice beforo they for-

Will'd the sum stated. The mombors ot tlic Tokoiuavu Jockey 7 Club are to be congratulated upon tho success of their inaugural gathering, which was held on the Xokoiun.ru Beach on Wednesday. The beach was in splendid ordor and the racing first-class. There ipiis a largo attendance of visitors from all parts of tlio Coast, and also a number from Gisborne. Mr Mcllvoy (the President! and the various otliccrs of the Club worked hard to make the meeting a success, and their efforts were rewarded in a measure far exceeding their anticipations. To the Secretary (Mr Forrester) a word pi praise is due for the capable manner in which lie discharged his duties. The first event to come up for decision was tlio Maiden Plate, for which a field ol six faced the starter. Mena was selected ns tlio most likely one to supply the winner, and taking command at the fall of the llag never left the issue in doubt, winning comfortably by a length and ahalf. The Flying Handicap was looked upon ns a good thing for Wilson, hup Bent imain came to light, and galloping ir splendid stvlc defeated ilsoii by i

couple of lengths. ' For the Scurry a large field went to tlio post, and this proved one of the best races of the meeting. From a good stait Waitai and Iranui soon took command, the vest of the field close up. After half the distance had been covered Iranui had secured a slight advantage, and despito the efforts of Waitai’s jockey to get on terms, Mr Sinclair’s game little mare maintained her lead, and won a stubbornly contested race by half a length, the rest of tlio field a couple of lengths away. The popular host of the Tolngo Bay" Hotel received numerous congratulations on his win, as Iranui had hard luck in not winning the Scurry at the Tolago Bav meeting. The plum of the meeting, tlic Tokojun.ni Handicap, next came up for decision, another good field going to the post, including such well-known performers as Pincpinetekura, Malcolm, and Wilson, and the chances of each of whom were highly spoken off. Wilson being a slightly belter favorite than Malcolm and Pinepinetekura. The latter made the pace pretty warm from the fall of the llag, and looked all over a winner until within a hundred yards of the winning post,when Wilson, coining with a splendid run, caught Pincpinetekura, and after an exciting finish, Wilson won by a short neck, Malcolm a length away third. The Maori Handicap proved a good thing for Avalanche, who went to the front soon after the start, aud was never hoaded, winning comfortably by a length from The Drone, who was a length in from of Yacca. In the Farewell Handicap, the horses broke away, and covered the full distance, with the result that the race had to be run over again. This time tho field were sent awav to an even start, and Killarnoy and Wilson were the first to show in front, with Tapuhcre handy. Wheu half the . "p.-kance had been traversed, Killarney was leading Wilson by a couple of lengths, and though Wilson did his utmost to get on terms with the leader, Killarney maintained her load, winning by barely two lengths, Tapuhere a length away third. ’ The meeting of the Waiapu Sheep Dog Trial Club opened to-day and will be eon tinued to-morrow and Friday. Th< gathering is overy year gaining in import anee, and the attendance upon the presen occasion is likely to eclipse anytnin; ■ previously held. No less than 140 entrie - . have" been received for the several event ; ' and competition is likely to be very kcer I shall givo you a full account of th meeting in my next letter. So far th •‘ "only event that has been decided is th

hunt away competition, which was brought to a close qt half-past two this afternoon. In this class there were 48 entries, and the judge, Mr C. W. Davis, of Taradale, had all his work cut out in arriving at a decision. The event was won by Mr Mackintosh's Dick with 28 points, Mr D. Hawkins’ York being second with 274 points, and Mr H. Ford’s Spring third with 27 points. Mr H. Warner’s Don with 26 points was fourth. Most of the dogs showed good form.' The arrangements for the meeting wore of a highly satisfactory character, and reflect great credit upon the Secretary, Mr W. Oates, and members of the committee. The trial took place at Mr McDonald’s property at Tokomaru.

A fine mob of cattle, about 240, were this week brought down from the Pukatiti station, Waipiro, to Mr J. N. Williams’ property at Pakarae. The cattle were in charge of Messrs A. Lloyd, T. Walford, F. Manuel, and J. Lloyd. The mob consisted chiefly of forward steers, and they will be kept at Pakarae until they are in good condition for killing purposes, at Messrs Nelson Bros.’ Works. On Sunday last His Lordship Bishop Williams held a service at Waipiro, which was largely attended. He holds a service on Sunday next at Kaharau, part of the station at Tuparoa, the service being for

Maoris and Europeans. On Easter Sunday Bishop Williams will hold service at Itangitukia, (at tho mouth of the Waiapu river). A pretty native church which has recently boon built, will be opened on the

morning of that day, and in tho afternoon an English service will be held. His Lordship will remain in the district for two or three days, for tho purpose of attending the meeting of the Native Church Board, returning to Gisborne at the end of the week.

At Tokomaru this evening a most successful concert was held in aid of the

funds for providing a harmonium for the native school. There was a large attendance, and the concert was ono of the most successful hold in the district. One of the principal items was a poi dance by fourteen Maori girls, who were tastefully attired in white drosses with red sashes. The girls went through the figures of the dance very gracefully, and were warmly applauded. A pianoforte selection, “ Tho Mocking Bird,” was well given by Miss Rocs. Then followed the chorus, “ Red,

White and Blue,” which was spiritedly sung by the nativo school children. Mrs

Jlindniarsh favored the audience with a song, as also did Mr A. B. Williams; both

numbers were well received and encored. A vocal duct, “ Love’s Dream is O’er,” was sweetly sung by Miss Hartley and Mr Warner, and Mr T. McLoughlin gave with much effect “ The Death of Nelson.” The song, “ Say An Revoir,” was another attractive item given by Mrs Perry, Miss Hartley gained warm applause for her song “By the

Fountain,” and Mr F. Bousficld was equally successful in his number. Miss Ballance sang with success “Remember mo no more,” and Mr H. Warner was hoard to advantage in “ A hundred fathoms deep.” A pianoforte duct by Mrs Fairlio and Miss Potao was pleasingly rendered. A sword dance by Mr A. Smith elicited great applause, and a pianoforte solo, “ Massa’s in the cold, cold ground,” was given by Miss Ballance. The song “ River of Years,” by Mrs McGavin, was one of .the gems of tho evening. “ The White Squall” was successfully given by Mr T. McLoughlin, who was in good voico, and did full justice to the number. Then came the pretty poi danco by fourteen charming little Maori maidens, and this quite took v tho house by storm.

Mrs Hindmarsh sang with much taste “ Espanita,” and earned the hearty plaudits of the audience. A violin and pianoforte duet was given with much success by Miss Hartley and MrNoil. Tho chorus, “ Ton little nigger hoys,” was given by four of the school children. Mr T. Potao gave a spirited rendering of that famous football song, “ On tho ball.” The concert was ably managed by tho genial secretary, Mr T. McLaughlin. The proceedings were brought to a close with the National Anthem. The concert was ono

of tho most successful held in this district, and should result in a substantial sum being raised in aid of tho Harmonium Fund.