HAWERA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5237, 15 December 1883, Page 2

HAWERA.

«, _ (from our own ooreespondent.) December 13. Our Borough Council has just; passed. a resolution asking the ratepayers to vote a a sum of £5000 for the purpose of erecting gasworks and supplying the town with gas. I trust that the vote will be in the affirmative, as the benefit of such a light will be felt not only in its many advantages over kerosene as an illuminating agent, but as another step in the progressive principles that Hawera commercial residents steadily adhere to. Some time during the past winter an association was formed here called The Hawera Mercantile Union, and having done a certain amount of. good work in improving the commercial facilities of the borough, are laudably endeavoring to carry out more works, among which an endeavor to float a butter and cheese factory, to obtain a Resident Magistrate for Hawera (one in the liberal sense ol the word), and a sitting of the District Court are the principal items. As Wellington is the centralising city for Wanganui, so is Hawera north and south. Hawera certainly is more entitled to a sitting of the District Court than Patea, as anyone with a knowledge of this part of the coast must know. The above association are changing their appelation from " Hawera Mercantile Union" to "Hawera Chamber of Commerce, " and are taking the initiatory steps towards be« coming incorporated as such by Act of Parliament, that in bringing any grievance or suggestions before the proper authorities they will maintain a position entitling them to consideration, and give them a voice in any Council. Bush-felling is a dangerous occupation. The last accident to a settler of Eltham ending fatally, should act as a monitor to those so engaged not to work without someone having a knowledge of your whereaboiatjs. It seems terrible to contemplate the agonising sufferings the unfortunate man must have gone through pinned to the earth by dozens of tons weight with one leg absolutely jambed to a pulp, and the other fearfully contused, from 8 o'clock last Friday morning until after midnight on Saturday, when death ended his sufferings. Before the log was pushed back to remove the sufferer, life was extinct. The committee of the Annual Athletic Sports, to be held on the Ist January here, have, through the courtesey of Colonial Roberts, N.Z C secured the services of what might fitly be deemed the most efficient band in colony, either as a brass band or a string band, namely, that of the A.C. Force, stationed at Opunake. With the extra inducement of a good ground and good prizes entailing good and keen competition, the sports should prove the same success as those of former New Year Days. At Messrs Nolan and Co.'s sale to-day, although an unusually large quantity of stock came forward, the whole were sold, at better prices than have been realised for twelve months past, much to the graziers' satisfaction.