MANAIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 131, 16 July 1881, Page 3

MANAIA.

(from our own correspondent.)

Manaia, July 15.

Settlement is still going on apace in and around the township, and buildings are going up on all sides. The greater part of the timber for the new bank is now on the ground, and the building is to be proceeded with at once. Several of the new settlers are desirous of building, but unfortunately cannot get the timber.

Great numbers of Maoris have been passing through here on their way to Parihaka, and the stores have been kept rather busy. The natives say the next meeting is going to be a very large one. Titokowaru often pays the township a visit. The old man is suffering very much from asthma.

Some of the returned prisoners have been about here, and seem greatly astonished at seeing the settlement. They all boast of their imprisonment. I notice the road between Hawera and the Waingongoro is getting in a bad state, and unless more metal is placed on it, will soon be as bad as the Normanby road, and will cost a large amount to repair, whereas a small sum spent on gravel now would put it into good order again.

Our new Road Board held its first meeting on Wednesday. Settlers now expect to see the roads in the district made and improved. Many intending purchasers have been up to inspect the new block of land which is to be sold in August, and it is anticipated the land will fetch good prices. Settlers in and around Manaia are busy improving then 1 properties, planting, fencing, &c. being steadily gone on with, and if things continue to progress as at present Manaia will truly astonish the natives.

Pig-hunting parties still continue to go out, and never seem to fail in getting good sport. Judging by the number of porkers still to be seen, they will continue to afford sport for many days to come. {

I find that business people here are very anxious to have the railway opened to Hawera soon, as there is a good metalled road from the latter town to Manaia; consequently, they anticipate getting their goods quicker and in better order than at present. Some even go as far as saying that Hawera is half-a-mile nearer Manaia than Normanby. I do not profess to know anything regarding the correctness of this assertion, but at the same time there is no doubt that the metalled road will tell much in favor of Hawera during the winter, if such be the case. It is to be hoped that the county authorities will take the hint, and repair the road before it gets in a worse state than it now is.

A. deputation of barmaids waited on the Colonial Secretary, and ar^ed kitn to " Btay the foolish efforts of certain madbrained legislators to wreak ruin on their profession and prospects of hone6t living."