Stratford and Ngaire.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2421, 8 May 1893, Page 4

Stratford and Ngaire.

' ' (FEOM OUR OWN OOBEBSPONDENT.) - A profound sensation was caused in the district when the news came last Thursday night of the Premier's death. ' People had not at all understood, I think, that bis case was criticali and the intelligence, therefore,^ came as a painful surprise to most. Daring the two visits whioh Mr Ballanoe paid to the district since assuming offioe the deceased gentleman showed such a deßire to inform himself thoroughly as to the wants and wishes of the people, and puoh a cordial inclination to do all that was . possible to meet them, that he gained the hearty good-will and beßt wishes of the whole community. His loss is universally felt, I think, as a national bereavement. I don't know who may be actually responsible for the railway arrangements last -Sunday, but it strikes me as having been a shocking error of judgment on somebody's part to charge the ordinary re, turn fare on auch an ocoasion. The right- and graceful thing tb do would have been to' make the fare as low as possible t when large nnmberß of people would hay? been glad to pay the last tribute to the Premier's memory, instoad of which the oooasion appears to have been regarded as an opportunity of making a little more revenue without any other consideration. The blunder was serious and was one which ought not to have occurred. The Cardiff people "had an enjoyable treat last week, when the Kaponga choir rdde over and rendered the service of eong "Eva" in capital style, some instrumental and vooal Beleotionß being also given afterwards. Mr Brierly has shaken the dust (?) of East road from oft his feet and is transferring bis camp bnildingß up to the banks of the Waingongoro on Opunake road, he having acquired the contract to re-metal the Cardiff and Waingongoro roads. Mr Brierly intends to move engine, crasher, and all up to the side as soon as possible, and have everything in readiness to pnsh the job through smartly early in the spring. The settlers down East road way are still putting their shoulders to the wheel to"help their district ahead, by voting for rspecial loans to make and metal the byroads. Wawiri poll has been carried, and the Toko, £2000 loan, is eeoure of a majority. Douglas is going in for one, and the Beaconefield settlers at the lower end wish to have access out to Stratford by East road, instead of going up round by Midbiret, and intend to try for a loan also. Gordon road contractors have thrown np their job, but it is thought that the work can be reOet without loss to the settlers. Many of the people in there are, however, somewhat despondent at the position of their main thoroughfare, and ask, with every show of reason, what nse it is for them to borrow large sums and submit to heavy special rates to make their byroads good when East road itself is altnoßt impassable for many months in the year ? It is not a pleasant position, bat next summer will no donbt Bee more progress made. Amongßt recent arrivals in Stratford is Mr. J. S. Greig, who was a well-known and popular resident of Opunake in years gone by. Mr. Greig has seen a good deal of Australia since then, but baß come to the conclusion that there are worse plaoes than New Zealand. He has settled down in business in Stratford, and will have no reason, one may hope, to regret his choice. The railway authorities have just lately finished giving all the station buildings a fresh coat of paint. That does not look much like extensive improvements at an early date. And they are badly wanted, too, the present accommodation being quite insufficient. I am porry to hear that tho district is likely to lose Mr. P. Cramer, who has sold his bakery business to Mr. F. Lacey, and may probably go elsewhere to settle, Mrs. Cramer haying bad a very long and dangerous illness. He has been of great assistance in times past in musical and public matters, his services being always cheerfully given, and bis departure will therefore be a distinct loss to the town. Oottages are continuing to spring up ail about the township, and still house room is scarcely to be had for love or money. The demand will, no doubt, create the supply in course of time. Meanwhile inconvenience is severely felt by families unable to get suited. There is a shocking bog-hole in the Mountain road just at Opunake road corner, and one cannoc help wondering at the county authorities allowing the place to remain in such a state month after month. It is positive cruelty tbat horses should have to strain and knock themselves about, drawing tbeir loads over such a disgraceful piece of road. It is only about a chain or bo in length, and oould be easily made good with a few pounds' worth of stone and a little energy. It is too bad that valuable and faithful animals should be exposed to tbe risk of life-long injury for want of those commodities. The place has been left that way bo long that one must speak of the negleot in severe terms. A start has been made at gravelling tbe ootpaths, and a sub-oontraot has been let o pave the channels, so tbat things should oon be more comfortable for pedestrians.