KAPONGA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 30 January 1912, Page 8

KAPONGA.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Good progress is being made by the contractor for the carting in connection with the water and drainage works, in getting the pipes on the ground. The bulk: of the water pipes are now to hand, and a start is being made with the cement drain pipes. Some difficultyis being experienced in getting the 12in. , cement pipes to be used at the intake across the ford on Messrs Clelands' property, owing to the big fresh at the end of the year haying scoured it out pretty thoroughly, and left a very uneven- bottom. The letting of the contracts, for the actual labor, is the only thing that intervenes between now and the commencement of the work. These are now a month overdue the time anticipated by the engineer at the commecement of the work that they would be ready. The wet weather in the spring and early summer is responsible for this, preventing, as it did, the requisite taking of levels, and other outside wcrk necessary, before the specifications could be prepared. However, it is hoped that tenders will be called in the course of the next few days for this work. The. members of the Presbyterian Church held a very successful congregational and Sunday School picnic at the Te Ngaru Domain, on Thursday last. About 80 persons were present, and were conveyed in numerous private conveyances. The children ran races for toys, etc., the more advanced in years getting in some enjoyable games of tennis with the local players. On the same day the Anglican Church Sunday School scholars were conveyed tc- Opunake beach in Mr W. W. Waller's waggon, and spent an enjoyable time there. The beach has been well patronised of late, and Mr A." E. King has been running a brake thither regularly each week end.

The action of the Hawera Library Committee in giving a number of the books they have no further use for, to the local library is much appreciated by that institution, and the secretary at last meeting was instructed to write and thank the Committee for their generosity in the matter.

Mr R. J. Hislop has just returned from a three-weeks' tour of the North Island, having visited Wellington. Hawke's Bay, Waikato, and Hot Lakes district/ During that time, he spent several days in Hastings-, where his people reside, and also in Hamilton with Mr H. Grocott, late of Eltham, who is now established in. business there. Mr Duff was in temporary charge of Mr Hislop's establishment during his absence.

Mrs A. Lennox is back from Wellington, where she has just completed a month's holiday. Her mother and sister (Mrs and Miss Adair, of Wellington), have returned with her for a visit to these parts. The many friends of Mrs F. W. Yorke will be pleased to know that she is now out of the doctor's hands after her protracted illness, and is staying with the Rev and Mrs Scott for a few davs, prior to leaving for the Nelson district.

The Mountain House is being well patronised now the weather lias taken up, and numerous parties pass through going or returning each day. Mr H. Graham reports 150 in residence at the end of last week.

Great difficulty has been experienced here this summer in securing the services of competent tradesmen. No doubt with work plentiful in the larger towns, men think twice before coming to the smaller centres.

The members of the Oddfellows' Lodge intend holding a church parade at the Presbyterian Church this coming Sunday. Mr D. Kelly, who has been resident here during the past twenty years, the well-known proprietor of the ls|*ninion stables, is disposing of bis busiiiess here shortly, and leaving the district for other parts. Mr Kelly has always been a

strong.supporter and player of the Association Football Club since its inception here, and will bo particularly missed from its membership, as well as in other directions.

Mr Ferguson, who has been with Messrs Davies and Sargeson for some time past, is leaving their employ shortly.

With other clubs making a move, the Kaponga Athletic Club will shortly begin preparations for their annual meeting-

During the past few davs Mr Basham. the County Engineer,;, has been busy making a start with the work of making a survey and plan of the town in relation'to fixing the permanent levels of the roads; when completed it will enable the Board to proceed with their footpath formation scheme, which has been hung up pending the levels being taken.