MATAWAI NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XL, Issue 13257, 16 December 1913, Page 9

MATAWAI NOTES.

*> — At a meeting of the Matawai branch of the Bible-in-State Schools' League, a resolution was passed to the effect that ill* W. D. S. MaeDonald, M.P., be urged to support tho request of the . lieagile^fbr a referendum on the matter . -of -'amending the Education Act, so as to' make provision for the introduction of the Xew South.. Wales system of religious instruction in State schools. Notwithstanding the many calls made upon them from time to time the local sawmillers have decided to generously assist the new school. Mr F. Hall has agreed to present gymnasium bars, Mr McLeod a flagstaff, Messrs Drummond Bros, swings, and Mr Armstrong gratl ings, timber, etc. Properties around Matawai continue to change hands freely, and quite a number of new settlers are taking up their residence here. Mr Alex. Aitken's property is passing into Mr 11. P. Powell's hands, Mr Witters' property is being taken over by Mr Parker, MiGardiner's by Mr Jones* and Capt. J. Tombleson is taking oyer the Otoko station from Mi* McKenzie. Splendid catches of trout from the Motu river are reported again this season, several baskets of from six to a i dozen fish having been secured. Continued wet \vr*'" ''■:*.* 'ind lack of sunshine are respoimbU* l"**v the -straw - bevi*y season being backward thin year. A plantation of about two acres has been put down by Mr R. Ship, from which the berries will be available for the Gisborne market nexl season. MiHarris, the local baker, lias also extended his garden. The Motu-Opotiki road is expected to be available for vehicular traffic by the end of the present week, and already several -parties' of Gisborneitep have aiiinounced their intention of driving through to the Auckland Exhibition. The local mills are now in full swing. At both Mr Hall's and Mr McLeod's mills the engine power has been doubled recently, enabling them to increase the output* of sawn timber, which is being - freelv railed to Gisborne- ' Mr G.' Sinclair; Ross, of the Public Works Department's local staff, has received notice of transfer to Ngatapa. The stray dog. nuisance haj? been the i subject of complaint recently. Dogs, apparently unregistered,.- are allowed to stray about the township, and sheepfarmers are complaining of losses amongst their flock.«. The matter has been taken up, and ,is being referred to the ' Waikohu County Council authorities. Shearing operations have been delayed owinc to the broken weather, and it will be after Christmas before the majority of the work is through.— Correspondent.