NORMANBY.

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 8 June 1931, Page 9

NORMANBY.

LIFE IX MEXICO

LECTURE TO SOCIAL GATHERING

(From Our Own Correspondent)

The second of the series of social evenings was held in the, Presbyterian Church Hall last Tuesday, when as usual the social function was preceded by a lecture.

‘ The speaker on this occasion was Mr D. M. Cowie. of Normanby, who took for his subject “Experiences during seven years of residence in Mexico.” j\L‘ Cowie illustrated bis talk hy the use of maps and quoted figures comparing tlie area and population of Mexico with New Zealand, Mexico (768,885 square miles) having a population of 16.500,01(0 and New Zealand (105,585 square miles) with a population of 1,250,000. The Republic of Mexico consisted of various States, the centre, of Government-being Mexico City. Mr Cowie described the climate, tlie* religious customs and the characteristics of the native people, who. lie said, were descended from the_ ancient Azec Indians, later the Spanish conqueror under Cortez, and then the French during the reign of Emperor Maximilian. Thus the original Azecs had practically lost their identity, a mixture of these races being the result, the language being pure Spanish. Having travelled in many parts of the world. Air Cowie said that he fully believed in the axiom not to judge a nation by the people met at that nation’s ports. In the case of Mexico-, when a traveller penetrated inland he found the people to be quiet, ordinary living human beings, very sincere in their hospitality and always offering the stranger „the best they had. Nevertheless the Atexican could he a very treacherous person if made an enemy of. and there were plenty of malcontents who were ever ready to stir up strife, particularly if there was any personal gain to be made out of it. He was quite convinced that the beginning of the turmoil which had existed more or less since 1910 was due to a clash of interests in seeking control of the oilfields. This opinion was commonly held in Mexico, and in fact during a trip to England he noticed an article in one of the leading London papers expressing the -same view.

Mr Cowie spoke of President. Don Potfirio Diaz, who was President of the Republic for some 20 yeans, and gave many instances of the valuable legislation introduced by him. In one instance the President achieved much good by combining the many bands of brigands who were infesting the country into a body of., troops . called Ruralas and, giving them equipment, set them tlio task of keeping: order, the occasional fighting and skirmishing keeping them contented and saving the Government a considerable sum of money.

The Mexican was generally without much thought of responsibility or care for to-morrow, continued Mr Cowic. A frequent saying of theirs was “Quien Sabe,” which, interpreted broadly, meant “I don’t know, or ,1 don”t cared,’. As an engineer in charge of Mexican workers he would not think of leaving them in charge of, say, a running engine, for they would think nothing of having a siesta, or sleep, alongside it. On one occasion he saw the officer of a coastal passenger steamer, when clear of port, set the helm and settle himself down for a .snooze, with the consequence that instead of arriving at the next port at daybreak, they had to steer to land the following morning to make inquiries as to their whereabouts, and were six hours late on what was usually a 12 hours’., trip. Music played a great part in the life of the Mexican, and the promenades at the band concerts were a sight nob to lie forgotten. They were intensely patriotic and their national anthem was held as sacred, and only on two days of the year. May 15 and September 16, two great anniversaries, was it allowed to he played without permission. Mr Cowie described a trip from Vera alligators’ eggs on the beaches. The egg, he said, was the size of a duck’s egg, and the young alligator when hatched was about eight inches long. On one occasion an egg was left on the hot plates of the ship’s deck, and to the .surprise of all a. young alligator shortly emerged from it-. Mr Cowie described t. trip from Vera Cruz, in the Gulf of Mexico, to Salina Cruz, on the Pacific coast, a journey of 13,000 miles, although the distance across land was only 300 miles. This wes before the completion of the Panama Canal. At the conclusion of the address Mr A. Thrush thanked Air Cowie on behalf of the gathering and a hearty vote of appreciation was acclaimed. Community singing occupied the remainder of the evening, Mr A. Gal-1-owav conducting and Airs Franklyn supplying the music. Following supper a I the Presbyterian social on Tuesday evening, Rev. J. Watson, on behalf of the church congregation, presented Air and Airs •Boran‘ with, an inscribed silver-mount-ed dinner waggon. Air "Watson, in asking Air and ALrs Beyan to accept this taken of appreciation of their great service to the church, said they were always “pillars of the church’’ mid their support and sympathy were conspicuous on every occasion. Airs Arehliolcl and Air A. Thrush also, added their appreciation of Air and Airs Bevan’s services. A “mock trial.” in which several prominent Normnnbv personalities will he “arraigned,” is to he featured it this week’s social of the Presbyterian Church to he held on Wednesday. EUCHRE PARTY. On Friday evening a ouclire party was held in aid of the Horticultural

Society’s funds. There was ail excellent attendance and a substantial profit was made. Prizes were won as follow: Ladies, Airs D. Frei 1, Airs G. Grantham 2, Aliss Tippett consolation: men, Air K. Tinnett 1, Air D. Palmer 2, Air J. Bennett consolation. The travelling prizes, were won by Airs Stokes and Air McAisey. Prizes were donated by Alessrs AA T . Hayward and H. Hughes. Points prizes for the 'series have been donated bv Mr R. V. Jackson and Aliss A. Muliiolhmd.