MATAKOHE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1052, 29 March 1867, Page 6

MATAKOHE.

(PEOSI OUB OffS CORitE3POKT)K>'T.) March 21. It was with no little pleasure that tho settlers learned, on the last visit of the Julia, thai arrangements had been made to continue the mail ferry service during the remainder of tho year. The announcement of this fact has greatly cheered them in prosecuting the laborious duties in which thoy hare ■been engaged—burning off and logging. The weather last week wa3 most favourable for the purpose, a strong, steady breeze blowing from tho southeast and south-west; but yesterday a change took place, and since then a copious fall of rain has cheered the earth, still accompanied by high winds. While the population of this istricfc was eo snaoll and scattered, the appointment of districts for the action of justices of tho peace excited hut little attention. But now that it is on tho increase, it is found practically inconvenient that Matakohe and Paparoa -ahould bo placed in that of Wangarei. Should any cause of litigation unliappiiy arise requiring the interference of a resident magistrate, it would involve a journey for plaint ff, defendant, and witnesses to Mangawai. and so by the East Coast, a distance of between 70 and 80 miles, there being no nearer available route. If we are correctly informed, the adjoining parish of Wairau is in the JPort Albert district," much more conveniently Bituated for tho settlements on the Arapaua and its branches. Were it possible, the transfer would be very desirable. On Sunday last a sad calamity befel one of our moßt industrious settler- 1 , a pensioner named Benjamin Waters. During his absence at divine service liis timber-built house, on the Matakohe township, was bnrned to the ground. He had apparently extinguished his fire and made all safe before leaving home, and ere his return he was alarmed by the intelligence that all was lost. Ho had just laid in a iitock of provisions. He had selected his wheat, grass, and garden seeds with the greatest care. In .addition to which his regimental clothca and papers, ■with other articles of the greatest value, have fallen a prey to tho devouring element. We cannot close our communication without congratulating our friends at Paparoa on the successful formation of an association for tho promotion of agrisocial, political, and intellectual improvement. It was inaugurated on Tuesday l&st by a social gathering, at which their neighbours o* Matakohe aiid Maangaturoto were well represented.