THE FAR NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6563, 29 November 1882, Page 6

THE FAR NORTH.

A uitKAT event for tlie district. \v:is tlie first visit of the s.s. Finjral, Captain Williams. < which arrived at tin: Awaniii >.:> Kri.lav, the 17th instant. This is the first that the s waters of that river were atiitat."! iiv a ; steamer, and tlie local interest that "her coming produced was considerable, many ssttlcrs and natives being present oti the occasion, though there was a heavy iall of rain at the time. The Fingal left Mangonui at about 8.:>0 a.m., touched at the Ran-iao-wliia whaling station, readied I'oint lJlaekney at the entrance to Hangaunou Isav at 11 a.m., and arrived safely at the Awaniii landing at 2.:i0 p.m., thus making tlie journey from Mangonui in six hours. No ditliculty was experienced in steaming up the river, the average width of which, up the stream, is about "2'2 yards, thoujli some of tlie bends of its serpentine course form rather ."harp angles. Creat credit is due to Captain > \\ illiams for his skill and care in managing the vessel safely on the first trip up a river where some trouble and delay was expected. : lie was assisted by the -Maori pilot, Topi, who is well acquainted with the navigation of tlie Awanui. The Fingal is destined to i act as a connecting steamer with the regular traders to Mangonui. She will make fortnightly trips, alternately, to Awanui, I'arengarenga, and other stations. She remained here until Monday, the 20th instant, leaving at two p.m. (full tide) with a fair cargo. ()ii Sunday she was handsomely decorated with bunting. At her departure a little delay took place in turning the vessel. This was accomplished at a small creek which flows into the river a little above the landing. I here the width of the stream is sixty feet, while the length of the Fingal is supposed to be about sixty-live feet. The depth of the river, being tidal, and rising to four or live feet, is all that could be desired for the vessel's draught, baing about twelve or or fourteen feet at high water ; but we regret to say that, on her return, she was delayed twenty-four hours on a shallow place at the mouth of the river. The registered tonnage is twenty-two. Much praise is merited by the company for their spirited enterprise in developing the trade of the district; and, as it is to the interest and benetit of every settler, it is to be hoped that the public appreciation of the advantages derived from a regularly trading steamer visiting our port will be testified by a liberal patronage. Jsut a few years ago, it was not expected that in such a short time a steamer would be tradin"to Awanui, so the district has made good progress. Passengers per Fingal to A wanui : Kev. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards and family A meeting of the Kaitaia Highway jioard took place on the 11 th instant. The settlers lately located at Waipapakauri, or Awanui est, urged the necessity of forming a road m that direction. Iu winter the present track was almost impassable in places .Many sections might be taken up if the Thou,,h ;r';\ ru " dereil r ro P er ly accessible, i hough the Hoard was not possessed of funds it was deemed advisable to call for tenders for the work in the meantime, so that no delay might ensue. Mr. S Hay 1 ward Matthews was elected, vice Robertson '• resigned, as a new member. ' i Ou Saturday, the ISth instant, a school ■ board meeting took place in the Kaitaia ' school-room. It was unanimously resolved 1 to recommend the removal of Maungatete schoolhouse to the Awanui.—[Own Correspondent, November 22.