WAITOMO CAVES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 531, 8 January 1913, Page 5

WAITOMO CAVES.

\ Own Correspondent. The annual picnic or. the Waitomo settlers took'place as usual on Boxing Dajr. In consequence of the Government paddock having been recently ploughed up, and laid down in grass it coulti not be held in the usual place, but Mr Davis kindly placed a Daddock at our disposal and it proved most suitable for the purpose. The weather 'eft nothing to be desired, and made one feel that the "good old rammer time" was really with us. Quite a large number of settlers attended, and visitors were there from Otorohanga and Te Kuiti. After a substantial luncheon games and sports were indulged in running, jumping, wrestling, tug-o*-war, cricket and a leaping competition for horses. When the shadows began to lengthen the "billy" was again boiled \ and refreshments partaken of, and then a start was made, either for home in most cases, or else for Hangatiki, where a dance was held in the fine new hall just by way of finishing off the day s enjoyment in good style. The music for the dance was supplied by Messrs Edmonds and Methven; Some time ago there was an agitation on foot to secure a site and erect a hall at Waitomo, but nothing has been heard of the matter of late. It is to be hoped that such a desirable object will not be lost sight of as a suitable building would be an acquisition to the district and serve quite a variety of purposes. Now that the i-oads are actually getting metalled we shall be enabled to get about in winter with some degree of comfort, and a hall would provide us with the means for a lot of enjoyment in the way of dances, socials, etc., as well as being a place to hold public meetings in. If some of our leading settlers would take the matter in Hand no doubt the financial part could be easily arranged, as such a project would, from one standpoint or another, appeal to everyone. Shearing is how practically over except for a few lambs, but in most cases these have been shorn at the same time as the ewes. When'the main shearing is done late, as it has been this time, shearing the lambs at the same time has much to recommend it, saving as it does an extra mustering, and the knocking about in the yards a second time.