ARAMOHO

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1683, 1 June 1904, Page 27

ARAMOHO

(From Our Own Correspondent.) As there is little woithy of mention in regard to Aramoho at present I wi l ! devote my space to matters of interest in our neighbourhood. Last week elections ,of interest and ccnsequence were the order. Mr Bignell was elected Mayor of Wanganui in preference to the old tried and true Councillor, Mr E. -Liffifon. Mr Bignell was run by an influential and well-disciplined organisation. It is unfortunate for Wanganui that this particular organisation controls or at least nearly always controls local elections. An election for a Councillor in place of Mr Bignell takes place next week, four candidates offering their services. The jViataonga Road Board (which controls Easton and Sedgebrook) is a very live local body. Indeed, the most so in this neighbourhood, thanks chiefly to its able chairman, Mr E. Neilson (also chairman of tlie Wanganui Gounty Council). The principal streets have been wellformed and meStillecl. An artesian well has been sunk by the Board at both townships and reticulated as required. Two new members (town men) were elected laso week so we may looit for still further progress. A.t the election of members for the Purua riding the two Durietown candidates were defeated, consequently that Road Board is composed entirely of country members.

The difficulty as regards Shakespeare’s Cliff has been settled by award, and the cost allotted to tlie various local bodies. Wo may now anticipate a sunstantial and much needed improvement teere in the near future. By the way Mr Mack Jost (the muchtravelled), told the Sydney “Bulletin” that Wanganui folks are the most omniverous and intelligent readers he has had to do with in all his world-wide peregrinations. That gentleman claims to represent more big firms and to sell more books than any other man this side of the line, and as he travels the world on business bent, he ought to know what he is talking about. At any rate as far as the reading capacity of the different Einglisli-reading communities is concerned. I can vouch for the fact that the number of weekly papers (including the “New Zealand Mail”), magazines, and books that Mr Bourne sells in little Aramoho (soon to be part of Wanganui) is extraordinary for the population, and he has worked up this little business in one year. Later. The public meeting to bo held this week to receive the report of the committee appointed to obtain information re the drainage and water supply scheme has been postponed. The committee were informed by the Wanganui Borough officials that there was no difficulty whatever in the way of Aramoho joining in with the town, tho latter carrying out the necessary works. However, the borough solicitor has given lus opinion which shows unexpected difficulties ill the •way It is now very indefinite as to whether Aramoho shall join m with Wanganui or not. Pity it is that somo comprehensive scheme could not be promulgated whereby all the suburbs would be absorbed in a Greater Wanganui. • The event of the week has been the flood; a record flood which has been destructive on a large scale to the district. Rain fell continuously for three days. Th river rose over 2 feet above the high flood mark of 1901, on one of the cylinders of the railway bridge. The ferry punt at Upokongaro was carried away, the wire rope being severed. Tkreo swagging punts were also carried away. Two or three houses built ou the bank of the river whose foundations were undermined toppled into the surging water and were carried down stream. Boats and canoes were plying to and fro on Taupo Quay. Shops oi> that street were flooded, some to nearly ike height of tho counters. The rainfall in Aramoho during the last four days was 4,50 inches. It is with sincere regret that I. record the death of Mr James Thorpe, the well-

known and respected surveyor, who died in Hastings while there on a pleasure tour. He will be much missed in Aramoho. - The potato market in this district is in a very unsatisfactory state this autumn, and to a large extent in other districts also. Farmers are delivering first-class table potatoes at <£2 per ton. an unsatisfactory price to the producer. There is not one-fourth the quantity of oats and oaten chaff of former years for local supply so that we are dependent largely upon Wairarapa for the latter and the (South Island for the former. Rust has been ruinous on this coast’-s crops, and even the green oats now growing are affected with this fungoid disease. Wheat is Is per bushel cheaper than last year. Horses at present are at a discount but sheep and cattle are making very high prices, sheep especially being in keen demand. Land, rural and urban, has decreased in value at present, whether temporarily or permanently it is difficult to predict Land values seem to bo excessively high. In certain suburbs quarter-acre sections have sold for as much as £2OO and small farms eight and ten mile 3 out have changed hands at £35 per acre. Suburban and farming land in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh and other largo towns in the old land could be purchased at less money. Firewood is getting a scare commodity and supplies are being obtained locally from near Toko, beyond Stratford, which means a high charge for railage. It is expected that when the Main Trunk line is -opened as far as Taikape timber of all kinds will be moro easily obtained It is worthy of note that here in practically a bush country thousands of birch posts from Nelson are sold annually.