DANEVIRKE.

Waipawa Mail, Volume X, Issue 2036, 17 September 1887, Page 2

DANEVIRKE.

(own correspondent.) The equinoctial gales have come rather early this year, at least, we will hope it is theso which have visited ns lately, and that the winter is just now giving its last kicks. And very formidable kicks they have been too ! Shrieking gales, carrying with them almost continual showers of hailstones, sleet, or rain, have made life in the bush, and particularly outside work, anything but pleasant. The Manawatu river and its tributaries have been high several times, the former particularly so within these last few days. Consequently it is the same old story of traffic being stopped on the WaioubDanevirke Road and travellers weatherbound. This points again to the great necessity of providing some kind of safe convenience for the crossing of the Manawatu. Hard it must be for the wet aud tired traveller to approach the river from Wainui side and find it bank and bank, without any chance of getting across, except perchanoo, by paying, through the nose to the Moaris for it, who have no hesitation in taking advantage of distressed travellers and demanding extortionale charges. Last time 1 drew public attention to these hardships I advocated, that the Government should make some kind of arrangement with the Maoris, so that travellers always could make sure of getting across at certain fixed charges. Another idea has subsequently been mentioned to ino and I think it a good one. It Is to get a suspension foot-bridgo erected there. It will bo a long time yet before traffic bridge will span the river in that neighbourhood and when it does come most likoly the site will bo fixed in quite a different spot. In the meantime all kinds of traffic will be exposed to the same difficulties and hardships, which arc always within reach of possibility at nny time and often occurring, will probably end in loss of life. Now, a suspension foot bridge would not demand such a heavy out-lay and really be a mere traffic, if the expenses wore divided among tlio two run holders there, the Government and the County. The principal item would be steel ropes ; but considering these are almost imperishable, easy taken down and could be utilized somewhere else, when no more required, there this principal item would > lways be a valuable asset. The construction would not cost much nnd take very little time. Such a bridge would do very well os a make shift for several years to come and prove a great boon to the steadily increasing number of travellers on this for Danevirke so important road. The contract for the erection of the Mangatera Hotel, the license of which was lately transferred to Mr L. Friis, was secured by one of our local tradesmen, Mr W. Crump, the lowest tenderer out of eleven, Mr J. Allanlico (Mangatera Mill) has obtained the supply of the material. This mill is now pretty busy and has several months’ cutting on hand, part of which (about G 4,000) is for export to Australia. The Tahoraito mill is also in full swing with plenty of orders on hand. I notice that there is a steady exit of timber from the yard of Muss's llondorson, Wratt, and &c\, so there must be a considerable demand for timber from them them as well.

I am informed that arrangements betweeu Dr Branting and Dr Williams lias terminated, and that Dr Williams will pay Danevirke regular visits. Barring accidents, there is very seldom an} 7 iEseulapius wanted here. We are too healthy, and could quite well do without any doctor if we only had an efficient dispensing chemist residing among us. Why (loes ho not come?

Mr W, C. Smith addressd the Danevirke constituents on Tuesday evening. He had a well attended meeting nnd received a vote of confidence. Yesterday (Wednesday) lie proceeded to Ileretaunga to give his address there.