Parengarenga Notes.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 46, 19 June 1906, Page 3

Parengarenga Notes.

(From our owu Correspondent.) Mr. Blake and his surveying party, who recently arrived from Mangonui, are now camped at Te Hapua, close to the Native School, the work of the party apparently lying in that district. Patena Hini, an old and well-known Native residing at Parengarenga, met with a very painful accident a fortnight ago. The Native was riding one horse and leading another. He apparently had his thumb attached to the rope, and the horse he was leading became alarmed and reared back, pulling the man’s thumb clean out from the socket. Strange to. say, the old man has made a wonderful recovery. Subritzky’s launch recently made a trip here and in the vicinity of the North Cape on a fishing excursion. W. Subritzky, wbo resides at Parengarenga, had the good fortune to catch the largest “ make ” shark that has been caught for many a long day. This variety of shark is rarely caught, and the teeth are highly prized. In this instance some of the teeth have brought £1 each. In addition to the “ raako ” shark, a quantity of hapuka were caught. Mr. Forder, representing Messrs. L. D, Nathan and Co., was recently here,

accompanied by' Mr. “ Dolph ” Davis, of the same firm, who enjoyed a couple of days’-shooting. The secretary of the Parengarenga Racing Club has been informed Dy Mr. Hartland that the Metropolitan Committee of the Auckland Racing Club has approved of the Club’s application for registration. It now only remains for the application to be approved by the Racing Conference, which meets in July. Dr. Hope, of Kaitaia, was here a month ago, acting on Government, instructions, I believe, to investigate the epidemic which has been playing havoc with the Native children. I believe the fever is described as spinal fever. There have been two deaths from it, but all the other patients appear to be making a recovery. The school has been closed lately in order to prevent the spread of the disease if possible. Gillibraiul’s launch arrived last Sunday with Mi 1 . Hill, of Messrs. Sargood, Son and Ewen. The launch made a good passage after a week’s waiting owing to bad weather. The return trip was negotiated in perfect weather. The sale of the Three Kings Islands was effected about six weeks ago, Judge Browne putting the business through. The Government have purchased the Islands off the Parenga natives. It is rumoured that in time a lighthouse will be erected.

The s.s. Aupouri recently took shelter here for two days owing to the weather on the West Coast being too severe for her to make Hokianga. Local residents have recently urged on our representative in the Mangonui County Council that a bridge is badly required at a place known as the Boundary Creek. It is a very nasty place, and a bridge would be an inexpensive affair, the crossing being narrow and approaches good. Those who use this road will have good cause to remember it. It is on the Government main road, and as this is the first occasion on which an application of this sort has come from this district, it is to be hoped it will be granted. Mr. Sheriff has recently erected a very comfortable cottage at TeJ Hapua. He arrived per s.s. Waitangi a fortnight ago with his wife and family to live there. June sth, 1906.