RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2120, 9 February 1886, Page 3

RAGLAN.

During the month that has passed Raglan has been full of visitors from all parts, and many more are waiting to come. One and all seem to have enjoyed themselves, either bathing, fishing, or boating, the children playing on the sands, building castles and houses, or making «and pies to their hearts' content. Splendid weather prevailing throughout the month. After a ten wepks' drought the weather broke last week, and welcome showers came down. Very few of the oldest settlers remember such a dry season as this. Various bush fires have done more or less damage throughout the district. Many crops of potatoes have been dug, and in some cases very good returns have been got. In others I am told it will hardly pay for the digging. The natives have suffered greatly by the dry weather. In most cases their potatoes and other crops aie * failure, and it is feared they will fare badly during the coming winter. Never for many years was our harbour more busy than for the last few weeks. Every day numerous boats were seen here and there sailing along, now casting anchor off some renowned fishing ground, or sailing before a glorious breeze filling every Bail, sailing either almost over the bar, or up the north arm of the harbour, often under the care of Mr R. Philp, whose long residence here enables him to know every current in the harbour, and who, as the builder of the boats hero, is ready at all times to show visitors objects of interest around our shores, and they can feel safe when he is in command of the craft in which they sail. The natives have been very busy fishing during the past few weeks, often five or six canoes crossing the bar to their fishing grounds, very large quantities of fish having been caught. All around their settlements are hung up in large quantities dogfish, shark, and other fish. Whatever may be their taste in a few weeks I cannot say, only at some distance off you are made aware of the scent from them. Large numbers of natives have been here of late, as a native committee is being held to determine several matters of interest to the various tribes, so that in things both political and spiritual the native mind has been very active here of late. At both the services held in the Wesleyan Church last Sunday here large quantities of natives assembled. Our local steamer brought in forty tons of coal for Messrs Philips and Moon's lane kiln. It is a pity a little more enterprise could not be shown, and some of the many coalfields opened up which are believ ed to exist around here. In fact it is almost certain from here to Huntly exists a large deposit of coal, only waiting to be developed. The telegraph line from here to Kawhia is now being surveyed. The pegs are being put in their places, and tenders are ont for carting the poles, the contract to be finished in three weeks. The Hinemoa is expected in a few days with the poles for the line, so that in a few weeks we shall have telephonic communication with Kawhia. It was only yesterday the place was closed to Europeans, and now no one is so anxious as the natives to get settlement there. On all hands we hear of their readiness to put their land through the court, and some very valuable blocks are expected shortly to be passed through. Since the great political meeting held last week, and of which a report appeared in your columns, the public mind continues to be agitated, and a steady determination is expressed to Bupport that candidate who opposes further borrowing. Variuus rumours prevail as to who will be the coining man, as theie are so many Richmonds in the field. However neglected in the past wh may have been, for the future wo are determined to exercise whatever power we possess in making our wants known. And why not? Other districts have recei\ed great benefit, whilst we have been left out in the cold. " The time of our patient forbearance is passed, the poor worm lias turned at last," and o£this be sure, whoever representß Waipsv in the ne\t Parliament must look after the interests of this important part of his electorate. It is not long since a Minister, now in power, asked a member of a deputation waiting upon him, "to show him where Raglan waa upon the map." I fancy when the next election comes round, if the Raglan men are true to their awn interest, he may have to ask again, but for another reason as if they are wanted, no doubt they can put in the man of their choice. May that man let the same Minister know full well where this place is ! During the last month we have had the pleasure of the company of Raglan's best friend, Mr T. B. Hill, who has visited most parts of the district. And whether iv searching out new roads, climbing the heights of Karioi, which he did one day in the company of several ladies and gentlemen, in cheering the various settlers whose homes be visited, was, as he ever has been, most anxious to advance Raglan's interests in every way. Whilst here he was very much gratified whilst walking on the banks of one of the many beautiful streams descending from Karioi, along with another settler and the writer, in seeing several of those spreckled beauties darting here and there rapidly from their sure retreat. The trout have grown several inches in a few month*. And there seems no doubt but that the various streams will soon be filled with them After visiting the hot springs at th» head of our harbour, he journeyed on to Huntly, going through the properties of Messrs Brookes and McKinnon. Several valuable blocks of fond were inspected, and his Auckland home was reached last Thursday night. Would that we had more men of his stamp in our midst. The bathing plaoe for the ladies is now erected. A number of settlers erected it during the past week.— -(Own Correspondent, Kaglan, February 2nd 1886.)

One thousand four hundred chickens were killed in a hailstorm on a poultry farm near Brisbane. It is Worth a Trial.—" I was troubled for many years with kidney complaint, gravel, &c. raj blood became thin, I was dull and inactive, could hardly crawl about, and was an old worn-out man all over, and could get nothing to help me until I got American Co.'s Hop Bitters, and now my blood and kidneys are all right, and I am as active as a man of thirty ftUhoußh I am seventy-two, and I have no doubt it will do for others of my ace. It U worth the tlW.'M*»tlwr.} Notice.