WAREA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8755, 17 April 1890, Page 2

WAREA.

[/ROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT!April 15. — The question of means of transit for the coming winter is one which is being discussed considerably in the district so far, and the wet weather is now upon us. Nothing has been done on the road further than the levying of the tolls, and the district rejoices in one of the most holey, jolty highways it is possible to call a metalled road. With the advance of winter the traffic will cut through the little remaining metal in all directions, and the settlers will travel through a veritable quagmire. Were the County Council unable to do little to the road last year ; there must now have accrued a considerable sum from tolls which might now. be well spent in repairs, even of a temporary nature. But further than this the question is now being again asked " How is it that the Parihaka Riding is so heavily in debt to the County." Since the County was created rates have been coming in to the Council from this end of the district, and it is stated that until the division into ridings the Council spent hardly a penny south of Stony River. This is a matter which the representatives of the riding might well look into, and were thoy to spend a day or two in examining the buck accounts of the Council it would probably be manifest that a large credit was due to the riding instead of as now stated, a heavy deficit to be made up. The late rains have freshened the grass wonderfully, and should fine weather set in for a sew weeks there should be a fair supply of feed for the winter. Throughout the summer the rains on this coast have been most erratic — a traveller often passing through a wet mile or two and returning to fine weather. South of Rahotu the showers have kept feed growing well all the summer, but to the north there have been no passing showers to help the dry time. In the late rains the country to the north of Rahotti has been most favoured, while at Opunako and to the south, though the district has greatly improved, more rain would do no ha in. Still feed seems very abundant all along the road. The surveyors are still at work on the 80 JO acres to be opened for settlement at the back of Parihaka. The land, though not absolutely iirst class, is turning out better that was expected, and many valuable sections will be found for occupation. The bush is not too heavy, consisting mostly of tawa, and will be easily cleared; while the short distance the block lies from the main road, and the centres of Waroa and Pungarehu, should cause a demand for the sections as soon as the maps are ready, which is expected to be within a very few weeks. The natives in Parihaka scjui determined to keep up their spree at all hazards. It is s lid that deaths are not at all uncommon. A disease is prevalent, causing great pain in tho pit of the stomcah, and is supposed to result from fever. If the muggy weather of the last week continues, the mortality will certainly increase. Largo supplies of food still remain for consumption. The stopping of the flax mills all along the coast, before the millers and others concerned had had time to recover any large portion of the outlay they have made, is likely to make the coming winter very severely felt in this district. But there seems little doubt that when surplus stocks are worked off by the American harvest, a new demand will arise, and then those mills which are ready to supply at short notice and at a fair figure will be all in Cull work again. It is a pity the stoppage has occurred, as the hands were getting experienced, and will now be scattered in all directions, and will be hardly gathered again when required.