STRATFORD & NGAIRE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1845, 3 February 1888, Page 3

STRATFORD & NGAIRE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

There is but little news from this quarter just now. Most of the farmers are busily engaged in saving Beed while the Ban shines, the weather having been somewhat capricious of late, but nevertheless the yield of cocksfoot this year is likely to surpass any yet obtained. Mr. C. Rogers, of the Government Insurance Department, enlivened us the other evening with one of his free lectures. He ably pourtrayed the many blessings arising from tbe system of life insurance, and the songs and recitations were much appreciated. Mr. Crowhurst was in the chair.

Still they come. Mr. J. J. Taylor, of Ngaire, has opened a store in the shop near the Patea river, vacated by Mr. Northcott, bootmaker. It is to be hoped his venture will prove successful. The Messrs Bayly, with a party of men, have oommenoed operations ou their land eastward, and, thought late in tbe season, hope to get the fire through the bush they are felling. It is a pity the Government does not follow snit by making accessible and settling the waste lands in tbe same direction.

Nothing has been seen of Mr. Holmes and his party, whom the paperß informed us Mere to start in from Stratford on the much desired railway survey, but Messrs. Ross and Blackett, junr., are now at Ngaire, doubtless to ascertain if a suitable line can be got from that point. The repainting of the school and station buildings is completed, and is an improvement, those in authority being evidently men of taste, for the buildings are now ot a sombre brown color, to be in harmony, I Buppose, with tho mournful black and grey of the surrounding stamps. Tbe stationmaster's house has assumed quite an imposing appearance since the carpenters have been at work, and the increased room must be a great convenience to tbe inmates.