OMAHU NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 82, 31 July 1896, Page 3

OMAHU NOTES.

[From Our Own Correspondent.] Omahu, July 30. It is very seldom I hear complaints of our very obliging Fernhill mail coach driver not being up in time, but last Saturday he was an hour behind. Let me in justice to the driver say it was not through any fault of his, as he had a breakdown somewhere between here and Taradale. Accidents will happen in the best regulated families, but it makes it very inconvenient for parties coming from a distance for their mails. Divine service was held in the church at Omahu last Sunday afternoon, the Rev. W. Clark, cf All Saints' church, Taladale, officiating. A large number attended. These services are quite a boon to us churchgoers, situated as we are,, so far from any place of public worship. I have often heard it remarked that the pen is mightier than the sword. I now firmly believe it. My reason for saying so is that I met Campbell, of Ngapuke, the other afternoon looking a great deal better and younger after the severe shock to his nervous system which he sustained by being dragged through the quicksand by the feet. The broad grin and pleasant expression on his countenance told far more plainly than could be expressed by words that he' had scored a new suit in place of the ones he had destroyed by the accident. I knew perfectly well at the time I threw out the suggestion that his employer was built on lines that would do anything to alleviate the pains and sufferings of his old and faithful servant. I mentioned in my last budget of Omahu news that I would very much wish that either Captain Hill or Mr Broughton would get a shot at the roving masterless dogs playing havoc amongst the flocks around here. My wish could not have been much sooner gratified. Last Monday in broad daylight two of the masterless and collarless fraternity paid a visit to Captain Hill's flock to ascertain if his mutton was tender and eatable. The worthy Captain objected on principle, as they being epicures would only have his young sheep. So to settle the matter he gave them No. 4 shot to digest. It had a wonderfully soothing and quieting effect on them, so much so that in fact they still remain at Fernhill. Later on in the day, or more correctly speaking in the night, Mr Broughton noticed a strange commotion amongst his hoggets in the paddock close to the homestead. As he had about 2000 in at the time for dagging, he surmised that something was wrong, and knowing also that his neighbor, Captain Hill, had that day been troubled with unwelcome visitors he at once called out his henchman, and they proceeded to the paddock fully armed and ready for any They no sooner got to the paddock tha g _ they could at once see the cause of di turbance. Five dogs could be counte in the uncertain light which was none to - good for sure shooting. Mr Broughton ordered the henchman to take to the left and all hands fire together. A simultaneous report as if only one gun had been discharged! result, three dogs weltering in their gore, the remainder beating the record and making night hideous with their howls of pain. They did not disturb the sheep again that night I am told. Moral to be taken from the above : If you want anything or if you should imagine that anything is required to benefit a fellow creature, air it in the " Hastings Standard," and it is bound to come out all right.