MANAIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7392, 19 February 1902, Page 2

MANAIA.

» (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The Glerk of the Koad Board last week hew Mr J. W. Deem's attention to the spread of ragwort throughout the Waimate lißtriot, and asked that gentleman if his luties as Stock Inspector prevented him Erom giving his attention to the spread of noxious weeds, also stating if such was the Base, the Board would approach the Department of Agrienlture in the matter of baying a speoial inspector sent up to inspect the district to see that the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act are carriod out. On Monday Mr Deem replied Btftting that he was pleased the Board had taken the matter up, as he fnlly recognised the urgent necessity of attention being directed to ragwort and other noxious weedß ; also that his other duties were so numerous that he had little time to attend to these matters, and had forwarded the Board's letter to the Society for Agriculture, with a recommendation that a special inspector be appointed for the time being to attend to this urgent matter. The cycling track is being put in order for the cycle raoes on show day. The big prize (£25) Bhould draw some " big wheels." The Manaia Band has been requested to quote a price for playing at the Okato sports on St. Patrick's Day. I understand that Mr Alfred Willisorof fc intends taking up his residence at his saw mills, Eiri road. Mr A. Elliott- has had erected a neatlooking four-roomed cottage on the site of the late fire, the property he lately pur- ' chased from Mr Judson. In conversation with Mr Sam Parkes, who was in town a day or two ago, I learnt that the firm of Parkes and Brooker, sawmillers, Awatuna, have, for the second time, made arrangements for thp delivery of 150 yards of stone on the Upper Auroa Boad, for the purpose of repairing same. The firm's heavy timber waggons materially assist in wearing out the road, and the firm voluntarily contributes towards the maintenance of same. The spirit shown by Messrs Parkes and Brooker should be emulated by more of the Waimate people, and a little less human nature displayed. The Eev. Chappie, of Eltham, and Mr McColl of Awatuna, spent last week in Manaia, pursuing their studies under the supervision of the Rev. Philip. Mr Donald Clark, well-known on the Plains, has sold his interest in his Glenn road lease to Mr Wm. Barr, of Otakeho. The work of painting the lookout tower at the old redoubt baß been completed. Many settlers on the Plains anticipate that the average per cow this season, of good herds, will be close on £9. The swimming dam has been a favorite resort of late, but on Sunday the water was rather chilly for dipping. Mr W. Slaltery, licensee of the Waimate Hotel, has disposed of his interest in his Skeet road farm to his brother, Mr J. P. Slattery. Mr J. Patterson commenoed yesterday to blind the metal on the Glenn road. When completed, this metalled road will be a boon to the settlers, who have been forced to either travel on the rough metal, or tackle the rough side tracks. Mr Peacock's motor cyole should be a centre of interest at the show next week, it being the first of its kind imported. Mr W. Humphries, contractor, removed te Eoad Board's stone crusher from the ama road to Eaponga yesterday, where b expects to commence crushing within is next few days, for the purpose of stalling the Eaponga streets. I am credibly informed that Mr F. T. [cCarthy has decided to retire from his resent business. On many farms on the plains myriads of tarhngs may be seen. A few days since, a labourer in town was ac lucky recipient of a cheque for £50 om Tattersall. A settler on the plains has a valuable arrott which greets Msitors with the relark, "Poor cocky won't swear," which c repeats several times. After the isitors have been seated a few minutes, acky again remarks, •' What do you want, ou scallywags, eh? Put 'em off, og.» Mr R. W. Hornby, Chairman of the outh Egmont Committee of the National 'ark Board, desires me to state that it is ot advisable that parties visiting the mounlin should attempt the drive up to the fountain House, as the track, though in ood order, is not such that it will warrant ehicular traffic ; a party, a few days since, aving attempted to drive up, with the 38ult that they broke a shaft of the gig, nd a serious accident was narrowly verted.