KAWAKAWA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8986, 25 February 1888, Page 6

KAWAKAWA.

Owing to the good price of gum, an industry that supports a large number of the population or the country, " Sleepy Hollow seems actualy to be awakening to new life. Though the disastrous fire at the largest store in the town on the 6th ultimo, during the annual races, when the whole population were, with fc\y exceptions, away on pleasure bent, caused & temporary gloom, and general sympathy for the sufferers, Mr. Kentley and his family, yet a new building will Boon take the place of the old one.

The ruins of the railway sheds still remain a melancholy pile of charred timbers and blackened heaps of bricks and iron rails. Very great surprise and general indignation is felt at the total neglect by the Government in any way, to recognise the most praiseworthy, prompt, and energetic action of the forlorn hope party, for as such it really was, who rushed to the rescue with promptness and energy, bursting open the sheds where the locomotive and trucks were housed, and though the fire was then enveloping the old building, in spite of the flames and smoke that enveloped them, the party succccded in hauling all out to a place of safety, for even over the burning rails of the line they had to drag the engine with no small labour and united exartion, thus saving the Government over £2000 of . property. The names of the rescue party were Mr. Armstrong, the principal of the Kawakawa school; Mr. T. B. Bennett, storekeeper; Mr. J. Parker, of the co-opera-tive butchering establishment; and Messrs. Reid and Vokes, who were preparing for the evening dramatic entertainment. There were two others, whose names I did not know. It is surprising that there has not been some recognition of this service either as a reward for the labour and danger incurred, or at least a letter of thanks, and a public notification from the department of tho service rendered.—[Own Correspondent.]