EAST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6149, 2 August 1881, Page 5

EAST COAST.

[from oub own correspoxdent.]

Tolago Bay, July 22. The weather, which, up to Juno 30, was exceptionally fine and frosty, has, since tbat date, been characterised by gales of wind, and heavy rains. Indeed, while I write, the heavens above are emptying themselves, and must bo running into debt for an overdraft (or drought) of water elsewhere. As a natural consequence, the'roads are in a terrific state of mud.

The sea too has been very rough. The coasting steamer Rosina has just completed a fortnight's voyage between Gisbornc and Awanui (East Cape), having lain threefourths of the time windbound inside of Anaura islet and in Uawa river. She is a. good seaboat, and the grand way in which she breasted the buffeting breakers at Uawa bar yesterday in going out was a thrilling and interesting sight. She landed the large boiler for the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, at Rotokautuku, near Awanui, whore some show ought speedily be made in the shape of oil. The East Coast Land Settlement Company is generally regarded with confidence and favour throughout the County of Cook, and the fact of Mr. Rees having, after long perseverance, had his devotion to the cause of settlement rewarded by the support and adhesion of many foremost colonists of. respectability and substance, is regarded as his due. Several good names in and about Gisborno are expected to be added to the directorate in a few months, whose present business engagements do not permit them to do so now.

The prospect held put in the latest telegrams to hand of the subdivision of the present East' Coast electorate is regarded with satisfaction by all residents here. Indeed, such ■will be nothing but au act of justice, for the mountainous dividing range between the bays of Poverty and Plenty, is as complete a barrier between the Counties of Cook and Wairoa on the one hand, and those of Tauranga and Whakatane on the other, as if they were separate islands far apart from each other. The Native Land Court at Uawa is still in session, and will not conclude for some weeks yet. Judge O'Brien returned to Uawa in the Stella on the 11th, and is now in daily session with Assessor It. Tapscll. Judge Heale sits occasionally, but he has a vast arrear of work to get through in subdividing blocks, for which His Honor's experience as inspector of surveys previously, admirably fits him. . '