RAGLAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9164, 20 September 1888, Page 6

RAGLAN.

It is said that the only blessing left in Pandora's box when she so incautiously and Evelike lifted the lid to pry into its contents was Hope. It appears that is the only frail commodity (if I may so call it) left wherewith to renovate our fallen state. lam speaking in a broad sense. For a considerable time past Hope has been our guidingstar, our lodestone. Now, we have something more substantial on which to rely. We have here several disciples of Archimedes, whose skill may possibly be put to the test. Some of our folks are importing powerful portable engines to drive their flaxmills ; and as our undulating roads are in winter condition, it will require some engineering to yet them to their respective localities. Success attend those enterprising men ; it refreshes one to see it, for enterprise judiciously applied is father to fortune; but 1 am afraid there are not sufficient of that class in this fertile land. Would there were more.

Whilst on such an interesting subject, it is as well to mention the fact that one of our industries, and a valuable one too, is lying dormant. The Australian coal scare will soon send some of those enterprising men to seek fresh fields. Now, our coalfields require comparatively but little outlay to make them workable. Tunnelling is by far the cheaper, and that would be the method employed at our fields. Should any of our Australian cousins venture here and start coalmining, they would, in a ehort time, reap a rich harvest. The coal could be shipped direct in vessels of from three to six hundred tons burden, thereby ensuring against any additional expense. The only reason that we cannot undertake the work is that the enterprise would involve more capital than we can command. We are, nevertheless, quite willing and only too glad to assist in this great paying industry. \Ve are at a los 3 to understand why Auckland capital cannot be utilised in this matter. The working of . these fields must sooner or later eventuate, and why not embrace the opportunity whilst there ie the chance, before our more wealthy relations, the Australians, snatch it from us, which assuredly they will ? Our land (in parts) is rich in minerals, and the opening of coalfields will be the precursor of other mining enterprises. We are giving the Northern S.S. Co's. Rowena a lively time of it. Our imports are considerably on the increase, and our last exports filled her to the bunkers, and to spare. She will soon ha%*e to commence her fortnightly trips to keop our wharf store 0 clear. By-the-way, the Rowena's last trip appears to have been greatly protracted. She left Or.ehunga on Monday, at six p m., for Raglan and Kawhia ; she arrived at Onehunga (return) the following Friday at halfpast five p.m. The longer the trip the greater the amount on the debit-sheet against Raglan. Hence these remarks. Ihe all-absorbing topic of the day is who will be elected as county councillors for the district. We have six nominated. All the candidates have passed through the Road Board membership, and so to an extent are initiated to a higher grade, to which they now aspire. May the best men win. I append the names of the candidates: Messrs Thomson, McDonald, Sutton, Mitchell, Wilson, and Langley. Our orchard blossoms are setting, and will soon be out of any ordinary danger from the equinoctial gales which may now spring ud any day. The stock of young peach trees look really handsome and very promising. The lambing season has been fairly successful. The season has been so unusually mild, and the lambs have had the full benefit thereof ; they are now well nurtured and strong. Passing by the school-house the other day I was greatly amused at some of the head boys of the school cutting and carrying firewood for the school-house fire. upon inquiry I found that the school funds were at a low ebb, so this action of the boys shows a true spirit of independence Some of these scions may iu the near future be our legislators. They will know how to retrench with a vengeance.—[Own Correspondent, September 15. J PAPAKURA. The monthly meeting of the Papakura Fruitgrowers' Association was held on the 17th of September, and was well attended. Mr. J. Mayo briefly introduced the subject of fruit pests, after which the ravages of the snider, beetle, and codlin moth were spoken of, and the remedies to be used in combating them i were also stated. The articles in the Weekly News and Star in connection with this question were read. The subject will be further dealt with at the next meeting, to be held on the 15th of October. A branch of an apple tree denuded for about four inches from the point of its back by some insect was shown, and a small looped caterpillar was found near it. The eggs, nine in number, of some insect were found upon it. This branch was cut from the top of the tree, and the damage is supposed to have been done by some moth or moths. Further inquiries will be made. The apple was Adam's Fearmain. The eyes were untouched.—[Own Correspondent. J