KAMO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6465, 7 August 1882, Page 3

KAMO.

The Kamo Coal Company having acquired a portion of land known as Merediths, lying between Mr. Norman's and the railway, are having it surveyed by Mr. Woolley into building allotments, for the purpose of erecting some 16 or 18 miners' cottages. It was on this land a bore-hole was sunk some months ago, when the two seams of true coal were struck. It is contemplated by the company to sink a permanent shaft very shortly, and to erect winding and pumping machinery, at a cost of some £8000 to £9000.

Owing to the extra number of miners employed here, dwelling-houses are at a premium. As soon as the fine weather sets in, some twenty new houses will be iu course of erection in various parts of the township.

Mr. George Kerr, the manager at the mines, has been confined to his bed for a week through a slight indisposition. He is nowrecovering fast. In consequence of the impassable state of the roads between here and Hikurangi it is well nigh impossible to get timber brought in from the Hikurangi sawmill. Carters almost refuse to do it at 4s per 100 ft. The local Highway Board aro powerless to render any assistance for improving this road. The County Council say they nave no funds. So Hikuraugi must remain isolated till dry

"hether sets in. There is some rumour of a private company running a light tramway out as far as the mill. As a speculation it will pay well. As Government seems to ignore us completely in railway matters in the North, it is time we took matters in our own hands, and see if private enterprise cannot accomplish and conduct successfully what a short-sighted, paternal Government studiously refuses. When the Kamo Whangarei JKailway was laid out, by some great blunder the Kamo goods station was erected, as usual, in the most impractible and worst situation, viz., near the coalmines. To the Kamo people proper, it costs to haul goods from the depot nearly four times the amount of the railway freight from .the wharf. It is proposed that the Government be petitioned to build a suitable goods-shed near the Kamo railway station, and private enterprise is ready to run a light tramway from thence to all the principal points of the township, in a similar manner to that which is in use in the Wairoa townships. This would be a great boon to the business people of this place. Last year, Mr. P. Wood, of the "Whangarei Steam Flour Mill, obtained a quantity of coffee and chicory seed, which was divided amongst a number of settlers. Some of these have succeeded with the coffee plant admirably, but as the plant does not bear till three years old, no definite conclusions in regard to the success of its cultivation here can be formed yet. The chicory, however, has been grown by Mr. Gilbert Hawken, of Maugatapere, and a sample has been handed over to M. W. A. Ellis, of Kamo, who has had practical experience in the old country of its manufacture, for experiment. The Hikurangi Horticultual Society have locally advertised their annual exhibition of fruit, vegetables, &c., to be held in the Public Hall, Kaino, on Saturday, February 5, ISS3. There will be aboutsG classes open to all competitiou, and among other special prizes will be one of 10s for the best lb.roll of fresh butter. Owing to the quantity produced in this district, it is expected that fierce competition will eusue for this article. The local brewery at Tikapunga has made a lucky hit in the manufacture of its stout. There is a certain peculiar quality in the water at the brewery th<\t is specially favourable to the production of stout, and the result is highly satisfactory to the enterprising proprietors ; and it is highly probable that before long Kamo stout will be as well known and appreciated as the Kamo coal.—[Own Correspondent. ]