KUAOTUNU NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 228, 1 October 1897, Page 3

KUAOTUNU NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Kuaotunu, Monday

Ox Saturday, 18th instant, a concert was given here by the Catholic community. Every item was above the average. The performers were Mesdames Truscott and Birch, who joined in the duet " Life's Dream is O'er," and also gave .solo items ; Misses Condon (2) and Fuller, who rendered the "Three Old Maids of Lee" as a trio ; and a host of little ladies who were heard in two choruses, in addition to which two of their number, Misses Harriet Fuller and Parties, gave as a duet " 1 Dun't Want to Play in Your Yard;" the former small maid afterwards appearing as a jet black, shiny-faced picanniny in a most charming rendering of the "Alabama Coon," which fairly brought down the house. The gentlemen were to the fore in the persons of Messrs R. Done, J. darken and Masters Courtney and Parkes (vocalists), Mr John Birch (humorous reciter), and Mr J. Lynch (mandolin soloist). All were very successful. A tableau " Faith, Hope and Charity" was prettily represented by Misses McManus (2) and Fuller. Instrumental music of a high order was rendered by Mrs Laprelle (piano), Miss McMamis (violin), Mr F. Kenny (piccolo), and Mr Lynch (mandolin). Great praise is due to Mesdames Laprele and Truscote for the complete success of this enjoyable concert. An appaling ilatness has overtaken Kuaotunu of late. The cause is not far to seek, being, in fact, the closing down of several claims, and the lack of work in other directions. During the last week an exodus has taken place, no less than 20 or 30 people having shaken the dust (or sand) of Kuaotunu oil' their shoes. The outlook is anything but promising, since there are now but four concerns giving anything like certain employment, and these, at a rough guess support but 200 men. It is to be hoped that ere lung an attempt will be made to explore the deep levels (this has not been done yet), where the numerous reefs now being worked at small profits may be found to carry richer

Mr Gilmour, at present the minister of the Wesleyan community, is stated to be contemplating a move. A meeting of the congregation was convened last week to discuss the matter of a successor to Mr Gilmour, but lapsed for want of a quorum.

A matter which gives rise to rather mixed feelings has lately been brought to light. A resident of this township requiring surgical attention recently went up to Auckland, and applied for admission to the Hospital, He states that his request was refused, the reason given being that the authorities declined to admit any patient from Kuautunu or district. Some explanation should be forthcoming, and the Kuaotunu Medical Hoard should bestir themselves and lind out the true state of all'airs.

The local cricket club held another meeting last week. Mr McGowan, M.H.R., was elected President; Mr Hall, Captain ; Mr Foster, Vice-Captain, and Mr Totman, Secretary and Treasurer.

A cowardly outrage was perpetrated here one night last week. Some shameless ruffian, having, no doubt, a spite upon its owner, attacked a harmless cow with a tomahawk, inllictinga nasty wound on the back of the head. Mr Clune, the owner of this provider of lacteal iluid, would like to meet the "larrikin" who played this little trick. At time of writing the animal is still alive, though in a bad plight. The team picked from this district to proceed to Thames and try conclusions with the champion footballers on Saturday last, did not all come up to scratch. In this respect they were not unlike the "guests bidden to the feast," as per parable. At all events, about half of them had other matters to attend to, with the consequence that, at starting, the odds were strongly in favour of no match eventuating. However, the result proved different, a team being duly raised 'which scored eight points to Thames 14.