OKATO.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 84, 23 April 1895, Page 2

OKATO.

(Qua own Correspondent.) The contractors for the Kaihihi bridge have made good progress with their work. Considerable difficulty was .experienced in procuring shingle to mix with the cement, which caused some delay. The concrete piers are now almost completed, when it will be ready for the timber which is daily expected to be placed on the ground. Those having to constantly for<J the river will appreciate the benefit of the bridge when completed. The experience of the mail coach on Monday last may well make people anxious for its completion, as it was quite a wonder how Mr Prenter got out with his team and coach.

A little over a week ago Mr Mulholland (carrier) was driving home in his sulky, a fast trotter in the shafts, when turning a sharp corner in the road near Mr Putt’s at a high speed, the sulky lost balance, and after going nearly two chains on one wheel capsized, throwing the occupants with great force on the road. Mr Mulhol - land received a terrible shaking, as well as having four ribs broken. Fortunately the traces broke or the consequences might have been more serious still. He now acknowledges there is a deal of truth in the saying that “ after pleasure is pain.” I have heard New Zealand spoken of as a “ land flowing with milk and honey.” The former is very evident as we see all the milk carts moving to and from the various factories, but the latter has not been so evident hereabouts till the other day, when I witnessed our worthy host of the hotel with his bullock dray carting home the product of the little busy bee from his farm near the beach, where he had had them (I suppose) out to grass. The Grown Dairy Company’s decision to carry out their agreement with their patrons has given very great satisfaction amongst suppliers. From what I hear the milk testing at this factory and creamery has also been of a very satisfactory character. From a recent Melbourne paper I learn that the newly designed produce vans recently built for the Victorian railways to carry dairy produce were giving every satisfaction, arriving in Melbourne during the extreme heat of February at a temperature under 60 degrees, and this when the thermometer registered over 100 degrees in the shade. Our Government might take a lesson from that.

The potato crop is very poor on the

whole in this district, not 80 eonid other farm aud garden drops. Mr W. Grey had a splendidcrpjbof'tomatoes; several others had a grand show for ft good crop, but the caterpillar mads havoc of them. Mr W. Grey had th« finest crop of peaches I ever saw, tha trees being loaded with fruit. I also observed some beautiful grapes at Mf Ashley’s, near the beach, very choice in quality; Mr Hatred had a splendid crop of apples. I have never seen trees heavier laden with fruit, and of first-class quality. Mr Putt had the largest quince I have seen this year. There are some very good crops 0 maize in this district. At Mr Syme’f, in the township, I note a fine crop of apples of first-class quality. At Mr J. Eustace’s farm I note a splendid crop of carrots, also what I think might be more generally grown, viz., celery; he has the finest lot I have seen for some years, and very- early. I was very forcibly reminded the other day of the reports we read of the wonderful crops of walnuts grown in California when passing Mr J. O’Connor’s. I observed the finest crop of those nuts it was ever my luck to see, and my mind immediately reverted to my school-boy days, when, with other youths, we climbed some large walnut trees and knocked off the fruit before it was ripe. To change the subject, I may aay in reference to vital statistics, “our population is increasing rapidly,” and if the sounds emanating from the homes of the new arrivals are any criterion to go upon, I should say they are of a very healthy character. And this reminds me of a great want in the district, as well as neglect on the pa ft of the Government in a growing place like Okato. I refer to the. nonappointment of a registrar, the nearest being your worthy postmaster, or at New Plymouth. See the inconvenience it is to parents to go to town to register their family; and now I come to think of it I should not wonder but that has something to do with there being so many bachelors in the district. In Mr Syme, our postmaster, we have a most courteous and obliging gentleman who would be able to carry out the duties of registrar with his other appointments in a most efficient manner. I am sorry to say Mrs Storer (who is at Puniho) has had another relapse. Her case is again causing anxiety to her relatives. The storm of Sunday and.Mopday did considerable damage—uprooted trees, blew chimneys down, and otherwise injured buildings. April 20th.