OKAIAWA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 April 1925, Page 6

OKAIAWA.

FAR EWELL SOCI AL

(From Our Own Correspondent)

There was a la rye and representative gathering at the hall on Monday evening, the occasion being a farewell social and presentation to Mr. and Mrs. W. Baker and family. Dancing was . the principal, form of amusement This was indulged in to the of capital music supplied by Mr. Ken Sharp, while several extras were well played bv a number of lady and gentlemen visitors. Mr. Marvin played a most accepted selection upon the mouth organ, and wa.s twice recalled. Master “Nick” Carter gave a tuneful, rendering of <4 lt ain't goin’ to rain no move, and also received a double encore, when he sang “Whv did 1 kiss that girl and “Annabelfe.” During the evening Mr. A. Lees, on behalf of the residents of Okaiawa, made a presentation to Mr. and Mrs Baker, and in doing sc made lifting reference to their man? <rood qualities and their services to the district. Both had been members oi the hall committee and Mr. Baker had also been a member of the school committee, and in each case had given most valuable service. In addition to that, wherever help was needed in connection with anything the word had only to be passed to Mr. and Mrs. Baker, when* that help was always readily and cheerfully given. Mr. Lees then handed to Mr. Baker a travelling rucr and to Mrs. Baker air eidercoivn omit On behalf of a private individual lie also handed to Mr. Baker an amber cigarette holder. This turned out to be Mr. Geo. Keighley, who brought Mr. Baker to Okaiawa 29 years ago. Mr Baker said he was quite at a loss to know what to say. They had lived a good many years in Okaiawa and had alwavs tried to do their bit, and he could truthfully say that those years had been happy ones. He thanked Mr. lees for his* kind remarks, and thenmany friends for their handsome presents which would serve to remind them of the happy days spent, in Okaiawa. Mr. Baker concluded amid applause and “They are jolly good fellows” was heartily sung. A dainty supper was nrovidecl by the ] a dies, who invariably carry out this most important item in a capable manner. Altogether the evening passed off most pleasantly. Mrs. Baker, the previous week, •was also the recipient* of ft presentation from the members of the St. Aidan’s Ladies’ Guild, of which she has been -a valuable member ever since its -inception. Mrs Swainson, in makino- the presentation, referred to the loss which would be sustained by the guild through Mrs. Baker’s removal from the district, and wished her every success in the future. THE TOLL-GATES.

The toll-gates are gone, and may they never return. They have been a continual source of irritation to those who have been cut off from town and railway by them. To those persons it has meant Hot only the passing through the gates in their cars, but a considerable increase in the cost of their manures and all farm and household requisites. It has been claimed that the counties erecting the gates were quite justified in claiming something tor the upkeep of their roads from the neighbouring counties whose heavy traffic they had to carry, but I would like to point out for example the W inmate County. Waimate had also to carry the heavy traffic from its "western neighbour, but never adopted this antiquated method of taxation, and I xhmk it will be agreed that the Waimate roads eomoare favourably with any in Taranaki. * However, the gates are gone, and we are all. prepared -to let bygones be bygones. 1 would like to say a few words in reference to those who have been in charge of the gates. I am afraid their experiences in the early stages were not too pleasant. None of us liked the gates, hut there were a number of persons who vented their ill-humour upon the poor unfortunate keepers. The keepers were put there and paid to carry out certain duties without fear or favour, and we must pay them a tribute for having done so.' Many of 'them (and in particular [ would like to mention our old friend at the South Road gate, who has been there from beginning to end) have gamed our goodwill and esteem, and. while ire are not grieved at losing the gates, we fee] a certain amount of sorrow at their departure. One individual with a touch of humour decided not to let the gates pass out •without showing a ‘"tribute of respect. ’ Some time on Tuesday night he placed a wreath upon the Normanby Road gate with a card attached upon which was inscribed: —“In memory of our toll-gate; died March 31, 192 b. Aged 17 years. Though lost to sight ; to memory dear.” PISCATORIAL NOMENCLATURE. In a recent issue of the Star your ■Whareroa correspondent refers to “a great catch by the Maoris of, tamuri, (snapper, or sehnapper as it is frequently ridicuolusly jnispelletl).” Why “ridiculously”? I am not claiming that “sehnapper” is correct, but it has been universally so spelled ever since 1 can remember. In al] newspapers recording catches of fish, and on the menu cards in any hotel or restaurant in the Dominion you will find it spelled “sehnapper,” The only time I ever previously saw it spelled “snapper” was when I was visiting the Auckland Museum some two years ago. It would be interesting to know how the common mode of spelling, which is evidently of German origin, came about. Perhaps your Whareroa correspondent could supply us with the information. . [Webster’s dictionary gives both spellings, with “sehnapper” the more usual. The derivation given is from English “snapper” (a kind of fish), altered in spelling to accord with German “sehnapper.”—E‘d. Star.]

NOXIOUS WEEDS. The matter of noxious weeds is still one of grave 'concern. Various methods of exterminating them have been brought forward, but so far nothing really effective has been discovered. Some time ago I reported having put in. a trving week culling Californian thistles and treating them a preparation known as “weedox.” 'lhe preparation was of a deadly character, and wrought havoc upon my pants, and my hones for the destruction of the enemy rose high; hut alas! with the coming of the warm spring weather up came the thistles stronger than ever. I do not like being pessimistic, but 1 feet that only the introduction of some disease will .ever deal effectively with weeds having the subterranean system of spreading of the Californian thistle and the blackberry. PERSONAL. Mr. A. N. P. Hewitt, formerly postmaster at Hawera, has been looking up old friends in the district. The writer was particularly pleased to see him, as in the early days we shared a “bach” in Princes Street, where we gained a “thorough” knowledge of the art of cooking and housekeeping. Anyway, there were no fatalities.