WHANGAREI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5757, 30 April 1880, Page 3

WHANGAREI.

Our township has a basy louk juafc now. Only a few days ago we had no fewer than three steamers, and the same number of Bailing vessels, at our wharf. At present we have nothing like enough accommodation for this ammount of tonnage. But the "Harbour Board" are bestirring themselves in the matter, and have decided on lengthening the wharf at the upper end, making it about a chain longer. Added to this, it is rumoured that is the intention of the Government to construct a loop line from the township station of the railway to the wharf, and also to considerably lengthen the wharf at the lower end. Mr. Laaigan is making the most of the fine weather. Every dray that he can get hold of he presses into his service, and the consequence is that there is constant traffic in our streets. We shall all be glad when the road engine is shipped oat of this. It is reekoned a positive nuisance. Horses do not like it all, and for that matter neither do their riders, and it requires all their equestrian skill to keep in the saddle. Sometimes the road steamer does its work very well, but still it is constantly ailing and in the doctor's hands. We shall be very glad when the railway is an accomplished fact and we are fairly rid of the noisy monster. The Union Co.'a s.s. Penguin came up the harbour last week, and took away 350 tons of coal, the whole amount being put on board in five and a-half hour?. The officers expressed themselves as highly pleased with the despatch they met with, and consider that, in this respect, Whangarei can compare very favourably with the Bay of Islands. We have now a large barge capable of carrying 150 tons of coal, and there are, I believe, "more to follow." When .laden, the steam tender Rotoiti will tow these down to deep water, so that vessels of large tonnage can be loaded. This little steamer bids fair to be a very bandy boat. Already excursionists have availed themselves of her services." On one of these trips to the Heads, at which I happened to be present, and while enjoying the over ready hospitality of Mr. Aubrey, among other interesting objects pointed out by that gentleman was a seam o£ coal. Mr. Aubrey lurther stated that an "expert," who had visited the locality, had expressed himself very favourably as regards this seam. Want of capital alone prevents him from practically testing its value. At present we have a great many new arrivals amongst us, and we already begin to feel the benefit of this infusion of new blood in our midst. But still there are black sheep among them. One of these has lately victimised the local tradesmen to a pretty considerable extent. Although he was taking his departure in a very unostentatious manner, it somehow leakedout, and a deputation of his creditors interviewed liim on the wharf, when he very coolly snapped his fingers at them, and defiei them to do their worst. One of the deputation ventured to protest at this kind of treatment, and thus the absconder's wife took up the theme. She gave the honest trader a little gratuitous information respecting his own shortcomings that rather astonished him. The poor man scratched his head, and went away very sorrowful; for he had trusted much, and been bitten severely. I think it is a great pity that such tricksters as the above cannot have some severe punishment meted out to them. The s.s. Argyle has been, and still is,, encountering strong opposition, but it does not seem to affect her prospects much, as she is invariably a full ship, both as regards passengers and cargo. Her officers are well known, and, what is better, well liked here, and it must be a very good thing indeed that would seriously affect her trade. Our sporting gentlemen are to the fore in racing matters, aud have advertised a meeting for the 24th of ul»y. It i, bo hoped that the meeting will be a successful one.— [Own Correspondent.]