Kaitaia.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 46, 19 June 1906, Page 5

Kaitaia.

(From a Correspondent). The license of the Redan Hotel is to be transferred to the Kaitaia Hotel at an early date. The change will be appreciated by the proprietor, as also will the convenience to the travelling public. It is a matter of great regret that more accommodation was not provided when erecting the building, as additions can never be so compact. Mr. Bower, the dairy factory manager, and Mrs. Bower and family left by last Chelmsford, taking advantage of the closed season to visit friends and enjoy a well-earned holiday. The Kaitaia Tennis Club met on Friday evening to consider an offer made by Mr. Cliff. Masters, re a tennis court. He offered to lay down two courts —one asphalt, one turf—and to erect a suitable shelter shed ; also to net off, for the exclusive right of the club, the required ground, for an annual rental of £4 with five years’ rent assured. The offer was accepted. The club is in a fairly sound financial position. The members aro to meet again on Friday, to arrange a concert to further strengthen their reserve fund. Their last concert having been so successful, should give them much encouragement.

Mottled puriri appears to be the rage at present. Quite a number of curious junks of what to the inexperienced eye would be discarded as useless lumber, have been shipped from Awanui by settlers in the valley, and, if those who consider they know are correct, a few very acceptable cheques will be handled by the fortunate owners. Hawks are very numerous and daring. I think it would be well if Agricultural Societies, or in their absence the Farmers’ Union, were to offer a substantial bonus for hawks’ feet. If these birds are of any use, the blessing is quite lost and hidden by the curse they are. The building trade is very active here at the present moment. Mr. Rob. Bradley is having a very pretty cottage built, as is also Mr. Brott. Mr. Clem. Matthews is making great improvements to his residence, having an extra storey added. The new addition makes the lower end of Kaitaia appear quite attractive. It is pleasing to notice the pretty designs and superior finish of all the dwellings erected, which certainly denote prosperity. There must have been many thousands spent in new buildings during the last five years. Our private buildings are a credit, but the same cannot bo said of our public buildings. The post office especially is a blotch —a tumbledown brick house, discarded and uninhabitable. "Why, it is monstrous. The postmaster and officers aro hold in the highest esteem and no better could be but the office is moßt unfit, unsafe, uncencral, antique and delapidated. Why do we ;iiot get a more useful and up-to-date office and telephone bureau ? It certainly would be more profitable to the Government to erect an offico in a central position. Residents in the district will not go to the present offico unless obliged by urgent business, and strangers require a guide. It’s absurd. June 11th, 1906.