HATUMA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12729, 12 April 1904, Page 4

HATUMA.

[own correspondent.] A Harvest Home given by Hatuma settlers took place in the granary, Hatuma, on Friday night. The hall was decorated with farm produce, the quality oi which was a surprise to many Msitors, who expressed pleasure that S " Si'. 3 r d ‘? pla >' CoUld te ma<le - The wails of the hall were decorated with sheaves of wheat, oats, barley and Doans, tastefully arranged with evergreens. The root crops, which were the chief feature of the decorations, and for which one end of the hall was reserved, included turnips of five varieties, carrots, onions, parsnips, potatoes. beetroot, and mangolds. In addition there were cabbages, tomatoes, kohl-rabbi, rape, pumpkins, marrows, and pie-melons. There were about twenty different varieties of potatoes, including Up-to-date. Rubicon, Squatter’s Favourite, and Early Rose. The turnips call for special mention because of the high slate of perfection to which all varieties grow here. It would be very difficult to say which kind really does best. The Purple Top mammoths grown by Mr Culling were of enormous size, while Swedes sent in by Messrs Williamson, Merriken, and Tuohy were equal to any grown in Otairo. The same may be said of the Yellow Top Aberdeen. This turnip, greatly prized by fatteners, grows very well here, judging by the sample sent in by Messrs Pdwrie and Do LahayeDuring the evening Mr T. E! Lindsay (New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company) congratulated the settlers on the success oi their Harvest Home. He said he had known Hatuma as a sheep run for many years and he would never have believed that such crops could have been produced on the estate. He also expressed bis firm conviction that the settlers, who had now got over the troubles that beset them when starting, were the most up-to-date in Hawke’s Bay. Mr Macassey (Williams and Kettle, Limited), in congratulating the settlers on their success, strongly advised them to exhibit their produce at the coming Autumn Show. Mr Macassey’s advice will probably be taken by several settlers.

Mr Chambers (Waipukurau) also congratulated the settlers on the success of their gathering, and on behalf of the Waipukurau people thanked them for the pleasant evening they had all spent.

The secretary, in thanking the visitors for their presence and encouraging remarks, said it was the intention of the settlers to make Hie Harvest Home an annual gathering, and to have an autumn show in connection with it.

Dancing was kept up with great spirit until daylight to excellent music supplied by Miss Moroney (Waipawa). During the evening Miss Baskivillc(Waipukurau) sang “Ma Sunbeam Lou,” Miss Boyle (Waipawa) “Shade of the Palm,” Miss Gollan (Tamiunu) “Flight of Angels,” Mr Lindsay (Napier) “Doreen” and “Dear old Dutch,” Mr Wall (Hatuma) “Not Likely,” Mr Bai (Takapau). “A Little Bit off the Top.” Miss Tuohy (Hatuma) gave a capital recitation. “Barbara Frietchie.” Mr Sinclair (Hatuma) recited “The Amateur Rider,” and Mr Macassey (Napier) was very much at home in’ “His Coming of Age.” A splendid sit-down supper was supplied, the table being tastefully decorated by the ladies committee. Mr dolly (Waipukuran) catered in excellent style.