MANAIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7367, 21 January 1902, Page 2

MANAIA.

(from our own correspondent.)

Mr Bolger has leased his coaching plant (Opunake-Hawera line) to Messrs Wm. Vine and Son.

The convent building is now almost complfcted, and is an ornament to the town. When it is opened there is no doubt but that it will affect the attendance at the public school to a marked degree. Mr Donald has a "record" hen, which is looked on as a wonder, she having brought out 26 chickens, and adopted another two. The hen is a cross between Andalusian and Brahma. Can any of your readers beat this ?

Only one nomination, that of Mr W. A. Limbrick, was received to fill the vacancy on tbe Town Board, and the nominee was consequently declared duly elected. Mr Limbrick has plenty of " go " in him, and should make a good member. The Band played a series of sacred selections at the Domain yesterday afternoon, and a goodly number of townspeople assembled to enjoy the music. Whilst driving on the Main South road on Saturday, and when nearing the portion being ploughed up, near Mr A. Hastie's, Mrs J. S. McKay's horse swerved Blightly, causing one wheel to strike the bank on the side, throwing Mrs McKay out. Nothing serious happened, the only damage being a broken splashboard.

On Sunday week, about a hundred townspeople adjourned to the Kaupokonui beach to spend the day. The young 'uns enjoyed themselves sporting in the water for hours, and, during last week, have regretted their hastiness in not donning pyjamas, having parted with their epidermis on a large scale. The Rev Compton has written to the Rev Rawnsley stating that he will be leaving for the Old Country at the end of the month, and regrets that he will be unable to spend a few days in the district before his departure. The company who are proposing to light the town have already secured a guarantee of between one hundred and two hundred lights, and expect to be able to show a big list of subscribers shortly. A few nights since, a " tin-kettling " of an out-of-the-common nature took place, the Manaia Band serenading Mr and Mrs j Geo. White, who were recently married. Mr White is a member of the band. After playing a few selections, the members of the band constituted themselves a " surprise party," and took possession of the domicile. Mr and Mrs White were made the recipients of various valuable presents, each member of the band bearing an offering. Refreshments were partaken of, and music discoursed, and a really happy time spent. I understand the Horticultural Society's Sports Committee are arranging for a big cycle race on show day, the first piiza to be £20, and £5 to the second man. This should draw cyclists from all parts of the colony. In addition to this, another attraction will be the exhibition of Mr P. T. Peacock's motor-cycle, which will be used for the first time on the cycle track. The cycle is the first of its sort imported. The Road Board have authorised works to be done on the Manaia road, and it is calculated that the road will be put in fair order as far as Mr W. T. Wells' farm. We have a unique specimen of the negro race in this district, who has commissioned a Maori interpreter to prepare a manuscript dictionary of the most common Maori phrases for him. He says, " I would like to learn the native language, you know, 'cos its useful." It is quite likely that the local " swim-

mists" will be enabled to have their morn-

ing dip this season as usual, as I hear that Mr R. Smith has undertaken to have the silt cleaned out of the swimming dam at the Domain.

From a town in the near vicinity I hear of an old fellow soliciting work of a gentleman of mean?, and who is also a bit of a philanthropist. The man was told to saw up a cord of firewood. After doing the work, which took him over a week to complete, off and on, he sent in his account for £1, which was paid. Some time afterwards, the gentleman in question had occasion to have another cord sawn, and, meeting the old fellow in the street, asked him to again officiate at the saw, which the latter agreed to do. In course of time the second cord was duly cut, and the sawyer, when making out his account remarked to his good Bpouse, "Liz, my girl, we've struck a coal mine here. I'm going to charge £2 this time." The account was presented, and the gentleman, after carefully scanning same, handed two sovereigns to his employee, saying, "Well, old boy, I took pity on you, but you've outdone it this time. Take your money. Remember, I'm only • had ' once by a chump, and you can ' git. 1 Understand ?" " Liz " and her good man are sorrowfully rueing their having killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.