Eltham Road West.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2350, 11 February 1893, Page 4

Eltham Road West.

-"'(PEOM OUR OWN COEBEBPONDBNT.) The majority of in this district have taken advantage of tbe late fine weather to burn their bush. Very few if any good burns have resulted, but it is very doubtful it anything would have been gained by waiting, as the wet weather has again set in in its usual style, and even a bad burn is far better than none at all, as it will at least admit of tbe grass being eown.

The Government has. felled two new bush townships this year— Pnnehu on the Eltham road, about seven miles from Opnnake ; and Makaka, on the OpnnakeStratford road, near the Auroa road junction. Tbe former being surrounded by settlement and on a good metalled road should command a ready sale. The want of a store is much felt by settlers, tbe nearest being Opnnake or Pihama, both about seven miles distant. The progress of Makaka will, I am afraia, be somewhat retarded owing to the impassable state of the Opnnake-Stratford road, in the Hawera county. The greater portion of this road is still in the same state in whioh it was when handed over to the county, being overgrown with sorub to its fall width, and full of numerous bogholes. A great portion of the land around the township is beld by absentees, which will not hasten the progress of the place, but no doubt this would soon change if the road was like that portion in the Btratford county 1 Mr. J. Clare, of Opunake, has started running an express weekly between Opu nake road and Eltham. There was also a rnmor that Mr. Jones intended starting a ooaob on tbe same route, but it has come to nothing as yet. Ec tbe scarcity of labor complained of by local bodies, and mentioned in a late issne of the Star, I must say it is not apparent in theße parts. On the contrary labour seems over plentiful since grassseeding was finished. Metalling operations on the Eltbam road are now going on steadily, if not quickly. Another two months of fine weather would see the present contracts through. There is still two or three miles for which tenders have not yet been called. II the loan is not already spent, and the council have an intention of doing tbe work during the present summer it is about time they weie moving in the matter.

A very successful picnic, entertainment and dance was held to celebrate the opening of the Awatnna school on Friday last. Oqly about two-thirds of those present could be accommodated at night in tbe sohool room. The remainder had to be oontent with standing in the porch, peeping through the windows, &o. The entertainment consisted of songe, music, reoitations, dialogues, the latter on the temerance racket with a " moral " carefully attached. Eefreshments in abnndance and variety were provided by tbe ladies, and, with the exception of the limited accommodation, everything passed off snecessf ally. Dancing was commenced about 11 p.m., and continued till daylight. The sohool is bnilfc od tbe raised-floor principle, giving very little room for dancing. The teacher's residence was also ÜBed for the- dance, bnt the partitions having been already put np this was even loss roomy than tbe school.