Omaha Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 511, 28 December 1897, Page 4

Omaha Notes.

[l'kom orii ow Correspondent.!

Knowing as I do the value of space in t-io increasing circulation of your valuable ana widely-read journal at this busy period of the year, and also wellknowing the inconvenience attached to removing to more centrally situated and commodious premises (which I am happy to say you have found it incumbent to do through your still increasing business connections) I have refrained lately from adding additional labour to your ovc rfcaxed exertisns by giving you such voluminous contributions from here as I have been in the habit of doing. Still, I wish to impress it seriously upon your mind that this important pit of your district will not stand being neglected by any manner of means.

At the Christmas season, when the " hatchet" should be buried and peace and good-will to all mankind should reign supreme, a faithful and unprejudiced correspondent, who has the best interests of the inhabitants and of the district he represents thoroughly at heart, should be forgiven for any slight error in ignorance he may have made or displayed in the past. It is always a hard matter to please everyone on any topic that may be proposed for the general welfare of any district, and I, "your own of Omahu, " may have unintentionally made an enemy or two whilst trying to the best of my ability to forward the interests of all concerned. If I should have been unfortunate enough to have done so on any subject whatever, let it be distinctly understood that it was done unintentionally, and with no undercurrent or thought of malice. We of this district, when we come to look at the destruction of our once smiling homes and our productive fields, now rendered desolate by the ravages of the bitter floods that have overtaken us, may not have so much cause for rejoicing at this season as others of more favored parts. But still, how much we have to be thankful for when we come to look at those of our neighbours who were rendered desolate and heartbroken by the loss of the lives so dear to them through the same cause.

And, now, Mr Editor, the staff of the Hastings Standard, inhabitants of the district, and the whole world at large, I extend to you one and all the "compliments of the sou son." And let it be distinctly understood that I, yonr own of Omahu, have not been the recipient of a single Christmas card, nay, not even of a " goose " to mark the joyous occasion. In the enthralling narrative of the Whana trip, after a pleasant moonlight drive, I had arrived with my companions at the Whitio Creek, where we encamped for the remainder of the night. The Whitio has its headwaters somewhere on the Tuna Nui estate, and flows through sonic magnificent country, emptying itself into the Ngaruroro river at Ohiti. It is also well stocked with different kinds of the finny tribe, most notable among them being trout, blackfish, eels, and crayfish. Where we camped for the night was alongside the creek, in close proximity to a whare that had been at one time occupied by the shepherds on the Okawa estate, it having been a part of that vast estate which, in the days of the father of the present proprietor, reached from Tuna Nui, . Pukapu Moteo, Korokipo, and Omahu in a direct line. In this, where we camped beside, Las resided some of our most prominent pioneers and citizens, amongst them having been the late well-known Mr John Hislop, of Puketapu, the father of the highly respected family of that name ; Mr llobert Whitehead, the wellknown drover of Hastings; Mr J. Howell and several others. There has been of late years a commodious woolshed and sheep yards erected here by Ihiah and Hohana, of Omahu, to whom the land belongs on which they ba.ve a number of sheep running. They had nearly 100 bales of wool last season. When seen in daylight the Whitio is surely a pretty nook, winding through a beautfful and fertile flat, surrounded by verdant hills on which are countless sheep. This is one of the best game quarters in Hawke's JBay, as some of your licensed sportsmen can testify, also some of the unlicensed ; only let them hope they are not caught, as the whole district is strictly preserved. Hare, quail, pheasant, deer, duck and partridge are to be met with, and Native game such as weka, pukeko and kaku fairly abound. The whole sides of the creek, to where it empties itself into the river, are beautifully planted with willow and other trees, a great number of them having been planted years ago by Mr Whitehead. Having arrived at our destination for the timo being, and having seen to the welfare and security of the horses, (my driving friend of the incredible stories being particularly careful of his high-trotting and vicious-look-ing brute of a mare) pitching camp and getting supper prepared was the order of tins day, or, more strictly speaking, the night, it now being past 11 by one of Mr M'Corkindale's reliable time-keeper's, and they never lie. Home of the party were busily engaged preparing the meal, whilst others were seeing to the quarters. Suddenly a tremendous splash was heard close by. Heads were hurriedly counted, and one was found missing. On closer inspection it was found to be the young gentleman from the Breakwater City, who holds a high position in one of the largest outfitting establishments. As I previously mentioned, be was such a dear lover of the gentle art, and is famous for execution with the rod and line. However, he was found to be safe; but the splashing continuing, we began to believe that he was repe iting the deeds for which he is noted amongst the enormous eels of the Whitio Creek, and he ably .sustained the reputation he brought from other lands. WUeu supper was satisfactorily

adjusted, the jolly fisherman was several times bailer! to conic and partake of the good cheer awaiting him, but all the response he vouchsafed to our urgent appeals was a significant grunt, his time being fully taken up with the pastime he loved so much. As our fishing friend would not come, we who were present same to the conclusion that it would be the height of folly to let a fragrant supper spoil. So, with a will and sharpened appetites, we tackled the flesh pots. Amongst the" different dishes that graced the festive ground (I was nearly going to say board) was one that deserves special mention. I have never before heard of such a tempting morsel, much less tasted it, and I believe I have partaken of mostly everything eatable, from grilled monkey to stewed rattle snake, but the " Boureerauntaunda Pudding " must take the shine out of everything I have previously tasted. No one going a journey,.however short or distant it may be, should not go without it, as it will keep good and moist for any length of time and in any weather. The only living aroist whom I know that can construct this great dish is the wellknown cJicfot the Kail way Hotel, and if he had lived at the time of the first Empire< he would surely have been decorated with the Legion of Honour by a grateful master. Everything that has a beginning surely must have an end, and so had that memorable supper on the bank of the Whitio Creek. We then proceeded, on either side of the creek, to look up our friend the missing fisherman, whose exploits in alluring the finny tribe will form part of the subject in my next.