OKATO.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 111, 26 July 1895, Page 2

OKATO.

(Our Own Correspondent.)

A meeting of settlers interested in the opening up of the Puniho Road and native reserves adjacent thereto was held at the Okato Hotel on the Bth. Mr Hughson had drafted a petition to be presented to the House, which, with a few slight amendments, was adopted and signed by all present. The petition sets forth the difficulties under which settlers labor through not having the road opeued up for them, and in reply to the Native Trustee's refusal to grant help, to open the said road until there was a demand for the leasing of the native lands adjacent. Signatures were procured of those who are waiting and willing to take them up provided the road was opened and formed so that access can be had to get fencing material, grass seed and building material on to them. A coursing meeting was held on Friday. The party included Mr J. Dingle, New Plymouth ; Mr F. Harris, Manaia; Messrs B. Grey, R. Grey, J. Eustace, W. Garner and J. Putt, the latter providing the hounds. The day was fine, hares numerous, and consequently some fine runs were witnessed, and a most enjoyable day spent by the company. Messrs Brame and Seccombe, of your town, were here this week going up to the ranges on a prospecting expedition. They were joined on Friday by Mr Morgan, from Manaia, one of the early prospectors on the West Coast of the South Island. The latter relates quite an interesting experience which he had the day previous whilst up in the ranges. He was rounding a sharp bend in the track when he pulled up quickly, as a wild cow sprang on the track and rushed him. Fortunately he had about a dozen yards of a start, and had time to seize a friendly overhanging branch of a treee ou to which he climbed, as the beast swept by, almost pinniDg his oompanion (Mr Harris, Manaia), who was following. Mr Morgan declares it to be the narrowest escape he ever witnessed. They have not disclosed whether they struck payable gold or not. Another party, out on the same errand a week ago, experienced very rough weather, and suffered severe exhaustion from the cold. It is reliably reported they had to " boil the nuggets " they found to sustain animation. There are at the present moment three parties on the ranges fossicking for the precious metal.

Messrs Harris and Morgan (Manaia) draughts players, were entertained by an evenings play, some capital games being witnessed. Mr Eustace, senr, had rather the best of the with Mr Harris, but not so with Mr Morgan. Mr Eustace, junr, played the best games with Morgan and very evenly contested with Harris the games played with him. Other players were Messrs Humphreys, Dayly, junr, Brophys apd Movely (New Plymouth). Altogether some very nice play was exhibited. The visitors also had an evening at the House of Mr Eustace, the play being very similar to that at the club. Another evening was speut at the house ofJVlr Antrobus, who invited a few friends to meet tbem for play. I met with Messrs Malcolm and McHardy from your district on their way to the meeting at New Plymouth releases.

Mr T. Hughsou showed nie some blades of rye grass fourteen inches long. The seed was sown (after burn) the first week in April. This will show more than words can tell, the fertile nature of some of our lauds in the neighborhood. July 20th.