MAHIA NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 111, 20 May 1901, Page 3

MAHIA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Things arc quiet here, hut some of our Gisborne friends will bo glad to hear how we are getting on. Capt. Bendall’s Postoffice store at Opotama is completed and in full swing. It is also a telephone office.

AVhaling has died out, on account of the low price of oil. Years ago whale oil was worth 4160 to 4180 per ton, but mineral oils, suitable for machinery, have brought the valuo of whale oil to less than 4120 per ton, so now our bulky friends sport in safety on the Mahia coast.

The old settlement of Mahia is completely abandoned, and where a few years ago stood a busy store, etc., is now grazed by a few sheep. The election for the Maori Land Council was held at Mr Ormond’s woolshed on Friday. Mr G. Stubbs, J.P., of your town, was the Deputy Returning Officer. Over a hundred natives recorded their votes, and there were fully 200 natives on tho ground. They wound up the day by holding a dance in the woolshed. The dance was abruptly terminated about 10 p.m. by a sad accident. It appears that tlireo Maoris were riding in

tho dark, between 9 and 10 o’clock, towards the woolshed, when one of them named Mangere Keel, about 14 years of age, foolishly started to canter on a greasy siding. The result was that the poor hoy's horse slipped and threw him, and probably broke his neck. His mates could not get him to speak or move, so rode on to the wool shed for the lad’s parents. The alarmed father went back about a mile, and found the dead body of his son. As there is no room for any suspicion, it is believed that an inquest will not be held.

Mr Stubbs reports the roads in fair riding condition, but too heavy for wheeled traffic. Tho first stage—Gisborne to Murowai —takes about two and a-lialf hours’quiet riding; then, from Murewai to Bartlett’s accommodation-house, about one and a-lialf hours. This is about 24 miles from Gisborne. At Bartlett’s, the long cutting starts rising, and practically continues to Morgan’s, at the junction of

the Murewai, Mahia, and Nuhaka roads. This stage occupies about one and a-lialf hours, .or five and a-lialf hours from Gisborne. Morgan’s junction is about 29 miles from Gisborne, 16 miles from Nuhaka hot springs, and about 20 from Mahia. At Morgan’s junction, the Mahia road is continued on the left hand, and runs through Bayly’s property, past the residences of Mr Humphrey Bayly and Mr Isaac Bayly, J.P. Tho home of the latter gentleman is near the Mahia flat and the Boat harbor. If the tide is low, the traveller can get on to the beach soon after leaving Mr Bayly’s, and, after' a long canter, reaches the river, which can then be easily forded near the breakers. Unless the tide is low, the stranger must not attempt crossing the river or lagoon without enquiry. Captain Bendall has grown the carob trees very successfully, and,many of them are now loaded with bunches of large carob beans. The beans are known in England as “ locust beans.” They are very sweet, and excellent food for stock, especially pigs.