NORMANBY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 145, 3 September 1881, Page 2

NORMANBY.

(from oue own coheespondent.)

September 2, 1881.

The deputation who 'waited on 'the Minister for Public Works, respecting 'the road deviation at the Station here, obtained from him a letter," stating that the Government would make the road asked for, on condition that it was accepted as a final settlement of the question. A meeting will be held this evening (Saturday),, to consider the letter, the terms of which must also receive the consent of the Road Board. It ft, I believe, doubtful whether it will be considered by all parties as, a settlement, and if not, it of course, resolves itself into a case for compensation. This, however, will not restore the road, and the indirect damage to to tlae adjoining portion of the iowasbip still *BJtoains. . r Th& " Question is whether the proposed road would at all supply the place of the one taken, and on this point, opinions, are divided. It seema strange that Government business cannot by any means be conducted as business men would conduct theirs. The best engineers are supposed to be' employed on the works, and the result is, that the Government virtually admit that they cannot be left as they are, while every provision as to giving notice to the Road BosMd, that the interested parties may have a chance of protesting before the mischief is done, is cooly ignored by the officials. " -

The metalling of the station yard has been completed, not before it was urgently required. The weather, however, has been so bad the last few days, that the contractors have had very great difficulty in proceeding with the work at all, though on many days they have attempted to work when it was really not fit for men to be out. I walked along the railway line recently to Hawera, and noticed how badly the two fillings near Hawera are cracked. In the first cutting from here too the rails are very much sunk on one side, and appear hardly safe for anything to travel over at present. The recent heavy rains have probably • damaged the' fillings, which look, however, to an amateur, as being very much too narrow for traffic. The engine that brought the Hawera station-master through yesterday, ran off the line on her way back, and though the men were able to lift her on again without any great ' trouble ; the fact shows how dangerous it is for traffic on the line. There has been' a good deal of discus- ' sion lately as to the merits df the different small ports around here, and I may mention an incident which speaks well for Patea. The gentlemen who waited on the Minister for Public Works, left here on

Saturday, reaching Wellington on Sunday, -and..on_Monday found a Hawera gentleman who had left that plaoe on Friday, but had not reached Wellington until the. Monday, travelling via Wanganui. On the way back, there was the same gain of one day over the Wanganui route, and this certainly speaks well for Patea.

The Lydia Howards Troupe were unfortunate in the weather the evening they played here, and had a fair attendance in spite- of it. Considering the fearful state of the roads, it was "certainly most creditable to the ladies to. turn up in the numbers they did, and it is to be hoped that the. next time the. troupe visits us, the weather and road's will be a little more propitious. The Hall came in for a good deal of praise, both on account of its size and convenience, and its excellence for sound.

MANAIA.

(PBOM OTTB OWN COBRESPOITDENT.)

. . Manaia, September 1. In consequence of the wet weather, I have very little progress to report, and I am afraid such improvements as building, fencing, &c, will remain almost at a stand-still, until the weather improves. The new building for the Bank of New Zealand is approaching completion, but I cannot say much for the style of architecture, and I am inclined to think, that wjien, finished, it will not be a very sightly edifice. The engine for the new saw-mill has arrived, and men are busy making a road into the bush, so that; it may be taken to its proper destination ; but it this weather continues, it will be some' time before it can be set at work.

That objectionable official, the Dog Tax Collector, (has been roijpd this way, and succeeded in gathering in a good few fees, and lots of grumbling, . A great many of the settlers have availed themselves of the opportunity of registering, thus securing a vote at the next election. Any who have not yet registered can get the necessary forms at Messrs. Langley Brothers' Store, and also, at the Star .Office, Hawera. .■ Mr. Parsons, is about to build an exceedingly, nice residence on his land at Otakeho. Mr. O'Brien's tender was accepted. He drew the plans, and judging from them, the building will be a creditable addition to the residences already erected in this part of the district. •The Cricket Ground, which is close to the fort, is improving considerably under the care bestowed on it by the A.C.'s. I am informed that many of the civilians have joined the club, which is now rather strong in numbers. With practice it may fairly be hoped they will be able to give a good account of themselves during the coming season. I was glad to see in the Star that the main road is likely to be gravelled at last. Truly it was getting in a most abominable state, and it behoves the Hawera people to see that it is kept in good order, if they want to do business on the Plains. Already one accident has happened on this road. A man named O'Beilly having been thrown from his horse last week, receiving a broken collar-bone and a severe rhakir'

s*. ng. . 0 . The Manaia Settlers are making a good effort to obtain a school, I wish them every success, in this matter, and trust they will receive all the support possible, through the columns of the Star.

The Weeleyans in and around Manaia evidently do not intend to allow the grass to grow- under their feet. They are about to build a school-house, on the section purchased by them, suitable for holding services in. The Revs. Luxford and Ensor were ronnd canvassing for finl>a©Mptaoßs, and I believe were very successful, many of the settlers subscribing liberally: Owing to the wet' weather, the roadsleading to the bush are almost unpassable; in fact, so bad have they become, that it is found impossible to prevail upon carters' to fetch timber out at all v this, together with the bad state of the Normanby road, •has made this, article veity-'s'oardej Jcbneieqiuently, building is not going on as fast as it should do ; but if we ate fortunate enough to get a little fine weather again, I hope to see' things'looking up in this line once more, A slight shock ef earthquake was' experienced here on Wednesday night, it .soon passed, and was not heavy enough to do any damage. An accident, , fortunately unattended witK any serious, .results, happened to one of the mounteji' constables stationed here, while attending to some of the horses, one of them with.his fore foot struck the man on the forehead, and inflicted a nasty gash. After having the wound dressed, the constable was again able to proceed with his duties.