OKAIAWA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3228, 19 September 1892, Page 2

OKAIAWA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

I suppose it will be quits safe to say spring is here. Spring-time has been along a good while, bat the abominable weather hindered na from appreciating the fact. Now, however, Nature herself has pap it beyond the shadow of a doubt, and this part of the country, at least, has put on that beautiful dark green appear • ance which characterises Waimate in the early spring. Then, the young stock prove unmistakably the faot also. Lambs appear in abundanoe, in spite of apparent great mortality in the early lambing stages; that is, if one is to judge by the numbers frolicking about in the different pastures. The lowing of the kine, too, proves the maternal yearning for offspring that has been ruthlessly separated from its owner by the cruel dam. The bush is bespangled by early flowers, which tourists, travellers, and others will do well to make the most of, as at the present rate of progress the demolition of nertttralscenery is a thing of the near future, aDd, like. the tui', the mountain will be the only place where such things are to be found. Fruit trees, too, in most cases have put off their bloom, and in its plaoe incipient frnit is seen, giving promise of abundant harvest if wind and weather allow. Ploughing operations are in full Bwing. Some settlers have already sown wheat, whilst others are Bowing, drilling, or discing it in as fast as time and weather will allow. 1 don't think, however, that nearly so great an area will be under crop as in former years. Another sign that proves spring-time is here, if even the aforementioned signs were absent, is the bare appearanoe given to the Plains by the annual farze cutting. One cannot help wondering at the amount of vitality possessed by this hedge plant. To-day one can see as far as vision will allow. In an incredibly short space of time this view will be again obscured by these hedges reasserting their right to obstruot. I notice the Maoris who have gorse hedges along the sides of roads have, in fear of the threat issued in the public press by the Waimate engineer, cut and grubbed them-— the first time lor many a year — and are now very anxious to see the threat executed on their more dilatory European neighbors. It was once a theory that gorse would not spread on the Plains. This theory is now utterly demolished, for wherever there has been neglect, or where catting has been biennial, the furze spreads. Furze, like a good many other useful things, is splendid in servitude, but tyrannical when it gets the mastery. The sale-yards, which have been delayed owing to the inability of the firm to procure sawn timber, are again in progresß. The Union Church Committee are Btrenuously advocating their cause, and are almost in readiness to call tenders for tbe erection of the building. The difficulty of procuring an altogether suitable Bite, I believe, tbe most serious obstaole. I hear about JJIOO has already been subscribed. The Dairy Foctory is nearly complete. The contractors for making the race, having met with unlooked-for obstacles in the form of immense boulders, is about the only reason why the maobinery should not be put down, and the whiz of the separator and the attendant bustle prove the Okaiawa factory a living institution. I hear the proprietors have cabled for the v ,f rv . newe sfc improved separator. It is their intention to drive with a tnrbine in preference to a breast wheel or overshot. The immense stones quoted above, being one great reason why these latter wheels, owing to their great size, cannot be used. The debating Sooiety is still going. A great fight took place last week, Freehold v. Leasehold being the theme. Owing to the lateness of the hoar, replies on either side were dispensed with, and tbe vote taken on tbe arguments already adduced resnlted in favor of freehold by 22 to 8. At the close tbe advocates for leasehold arranged for the matter to be threshed out in public debate, but, the excitement over, the matter has been tacitly dropped, and the audience at least have missed some great fun.

Travellers on the Normanby road cannot help noticing Mr. Bremer's substantial and handsome new baildiog, almost on the site of the building whioh met with snob a disastrous end whilst oconpied by the former owner (Mr. 0. Newsbam). I ' trust that Mr. Bremer will be more lnoky. The dwelling is most substantially built, large stone 3 being used for piles and heart of totara for stringers, while the upper structure is of the best matai. "When I say that the work has been entrusted to Mr. A. Scott, of this place, and the brick work to Mr. Whittington, of Hawera, it will be evident that material, structure, and finish will be Al.

Oar old friend, Mr. Peter Wilson, ia leaving no to seek fresh pastures, whioh will be regretted fay all, •• (or he's a jolly gooa fellow," etc.— September 14.

Late Hawera Public Meeting.

Following is a further official renlv as - fLS?™"' ?f? f Okaiawa « forwarding the resolutwn of a public meeting held at ?nm«Tr& VoUrof the Aversion of tbe to Okaiawa and Normat^^J^H^ M one of the i»i.»- r i iMffiifrlfri 'liTii deviation from the pf^^.^oflfe, tbe l- e *Lciu~ " th ? Ofc»iawa.Nbrinanby aectjgjg|rtbe aerviee should be performed KaWr* Cstead °l 9a9 a horseback. I have a JP, b s e c °Py rep 'forwarded mejof the % resolutions of tbj&uttip meetinriiel&&t * Hawera to *$&, "to&ng ottiS^Sß againat anjg^ratioifin the maiirSote to Opuna*e. representations b? the respective meetings will have due conindention when the ti me comes for Ac to the other matters mentioned m the resolutions from Hawera, which had already been sent me, in accordance with the wording thereof, by the Town Olerk, I have to inform you that the question of the enlargement of the post offioe buildjog is now nnder consideration. I regret however that I am nnable to agree to call If Prß/P rB /« the CCarriea * c ofmfiUsZ. tS Z£ MUMa I 9Dd Bailway Btasionine service as at present performed by a postal officer is the most satisfactory from a departmental point of view, Tnd I l"hS d £ ff ° vu 7c7 ce * Ml t0 wank***. ~I have the honor to be, Sir, yonr GeneS.» etVanli G * WaW> * P °«^te"