OPOTIKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7123, 15 September 1884, Page 5

OPOTIKI.

The prospect* of this thriving little oominanity are decideily and substantially improving. Basinets is brisker, and, but of all, a continuation oi fine, warm weather Is. giving promise of a successful planting season. Ploughing and sowing are being carried on vigorously, and Opotiki bids *"'*• to add laurels to its well-earned reputation as one of the finest agricultural districts an the East Coast. The County Council is doing good work in pushing on the main road into and through the Waiotahi ltnda, where large blocks have been recently purchased, and a number of farmers have located, and are rapidly bring* ing the land into cultivation. vVaiotahi is rapidly becoming a very important part of the Opotiki District, and the road now being formed by the members of the Armed Constabulary force, under the auspices of the County Council, is materially increasing the value of the land it passes through, as Well as facilitating communication with other coait settlements, including Ohiwa, our deep water shipping port. The Town Board is pushing on the forma* tion and metalling of several new streets, and alto the erection of a new wharf at the point where the main street abuts upon the. river. This wharf is to be broad and commodious, and to lead into deep water, so that vessels will be afloat at low tide. This will be a great advantage, as hitherto vessels have listed over so much when aground at the old wharf as to hinder the working of cargo. The Opotiki Highway Board is doing good work, and effecting many substantial improvements, repairing and restoring bridges and culverts and opening up country roads. The ketch Venus, S. Neiu, master, crossed the bar yesterday (the 7th instant). She has about half a load on board, and is to fil 1 np at Te Raha and other coast ports, with maize and pigs for Auckland. The little steamer Staffa makes her regular weekly trip to Tauranga and back, bringing us our mails and visitors as well as transporting the greater portion of oor imports and exports, and is a very great boon to the settlement, although decried by some for her want of steam power and small accommodation, and also for her unsuitableness for crossing the Opotiki Bar. Yet, in spite of - these drawbacks, she keeps our coaxsnunication with the outer world well supplied, and under the careful and judicious management' of Captain Austin, attends well to the wants of Opotiki, Whakatane, and all the other coast ports, and although there are plenty to condemn the vessel for herinsufficiency, the question, What should we do without her? is not easily answered, as tile Opotiki trade does not at present, at any rate, justify the employment of a more expensive vessel.— [Own Correspondent, September B.]