TE ARAROA NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17454, 31 December 1930, Page 12

TE ARAROA NEWS

(Herald Correspondent,) During November, 13 boats worked at the port of Hicks Bay, and discharged 164 tons of cargo and four bulls and lifted 19 tons, 471 bales of wool and 252 sheep. Revenue amounted to £199 7s 9d and the expenditure to £24 8s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £174 19s 3d. For some time the action of Te Araroa Domain' Board in leasing to the howling club extra land between the football ground and the club’s green has been strongly criticised. Letters appearing in the press and forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs disapproved or the action of the board, so the Commissioner of Crown Lands made a trip to To Araron and inspected the land in dispute. The Minister decided to refer the matter to the public for decision. On Saturday last a meeting, presided over by Me. Kemp, county chairman, was held, and a motion in support of the action of the Domain Board was moved by Mr. Tamepo. Mrs. Mahue, in speaking against the motion, gave the history of the domain. Mr. R. T. Kohore pointed out that the chief agitators against the hoard’s action were absent, hul lie understood the objection was to leasing a portion of the land between the bowling green and the football ground, for it was hoped to add another ground for junior football matches, hockey and cricket. Supporters of the more popular games—and they are far more numerous than bowlers—objected to the encroaching of the howling club, which was a private body. There was no objection to the club extending towards the hill. Mr. Koh ere also explained he had written no letters to the press nor to the Minister of Internal Affairs in reference to the matter under discussion. Mr. IT. McClutchie, following, said the board had taken the trouble to find out whether there would be room for a second football ground after giving the club extra ground and it had been found there would he ample rom. Messrs. Hockley, Armstrong, Godfrey, Tipi Houkamau and the chairman also spoke in support of the motion, and Messrs. T. Ifuriwai, and 11. Ahuriri. spoke against it. On the matter being put to the vote, the chairman declared the motion carried. Mr. 'G. McKeddie’s tender for metalling the Taurangakautuku road at 3s 3.0 d per cubic yard was accepted by the Matakaoa County Council. There were four tenders.

The closing of the Matakaoa Hospital, if that should happen, will be much regretted by a large number of .people. I he hospital is new and up-to-date, and has been ably managed. Since the opening of the institution it has been of the greatest benefit to the community and has always been well patronised. Residents doubt whether the Waiapu Hospital will prove as serviceable for the Matakaoa people. Cars have been running to East Cape and hack and the palm should he given to Mr. T. Tampeo, the driver and owner of the first car to reach East Cape, the most easterly point in New Zealand. East Cape cannot lie as well known as it should be for a letter hddressed to East Cape wandered about for some time before reaching its destination. On its way from Wellington to Gisborne, instead of keeping to the coast, where there are capes, it actually visited Whatatutu.

Shearing is just about over. The crisis in the history of the wool industry, as is usual during such periods, has brought out the best in primary producers. To cut down expenses, families have risen to the occasion hv doing as much as possible themselves. The mother cooked, the daughters carried, skirted and rolled up fleeces and even picked locks, while the hoys mustered, yarded, pressed, carted and in some instances did the shearing. When the road to Horoera was opened a few months ago the Horoera natives feared there would be a rush by inland natives on their preserves of shellfish—pupus, sea-eggs and crayfish and the edible seawed, karengo. During the last few days large numbers of people, many from as far away as the Waiapu valley, were to ho seen on the rocks gathering the delicious sea-eggs. Sackfuls were carried away The sea-egg, or kina, is considered by the natives a rare, delicacy and as a Christmas dish it is indispensable. . Boxing Day was spent on the beautiful domain, where Te Araroa Sports Club held its annual meeting. The day was an unqualified success; the attendance was just about a record for the club. Tlie Bay of Plenty as far back as Opotiki was well represented, and so was the Coast as far south as Gisborne. Events were keenly contested. The committee had to put on two extra events. The weather was all that could he desired. The thanks of the public are due to the sports committee, particularly to the two joint secretaries, Messrs. T. Tamepo and M. Wanoa, who left no stone unturned to make the meeting the great success it was. The club's dance was attended by a large crowd. Mr. Taipari Brown was M.G., and Mrs. Huinmerton’s orchestra provided the music. The club gave an excellent supper. During the evening Miss T. Ngawai sang. The total takings at all the functions in connection with the sports amounted to £251, and after-meet-ing all expenses there should be a credit balance of £l5B.

Despite the times it is cheering to see the sky darkened with smoke from bush fires. In a week four large .bush clearings were burnt off. To sow these and to fence should give some employment. Four parties from Gisborne are camped at Hicks Bay. People who have not yet had the pleasure of seeing a pohutukawa in full bloom should take a run up the Coast to Hicks Bay and if possible towards East Cape. One lias only to imagine the beauty there is to be enjoyed on the road from Cape Runaway to Opotiki. The engineer who laid out the road to Horoera near East Cape took great care that the pohutukawa trees would not be interfered with. Only one large tree was partially uprooted, but it will not die. Rome thoughtless people made a fire which destroyed several young trees.