WAIRAU VALLEY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 117, 15 May 1909, Page 7

WAIRAU VALLEY.

[feom our cobbespondent.]

' Thursday

On Monday, May 10th, a social was held in the North Bank schoolroom, when about 50- guests met to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The schoolroom looked very picturesque, being decorated with ferns and chrysanthemums, which reflected great credit, on Mr Robinson, the teacher, for the way he had done the work. Evidently he is no novice in decorating a room. The School Committee had an iron lean-to put up for the supper room, and the table was laid out with all kinds of delicacies, and the ladies of the settlement deserve the greatest pf praise for catering for the inner man as they did. It was surprising to see the spread, which could not be surpassed in any part of the • Dominion. After, a sumptuous repast, dancing commenced, and was kept up with vigorous spirit until daylight. | Mr E. Bartlett provided some excellent music during the ejtrening. Songs were given at intervals by Mr and Mrs H. Rogers, F. Robertson, A. Timms, J. Lovell, W. D. Lovell and E. Bartlett. About midnight tea and refreshments were again partaken of. Then Mr E. Lane gave us a treat in f a step dance, which" he did very creditably. Mr Wardsworth, junr., also danced the sworddance. Before parting, Mr *W. H. Lovell, on behalf of the company, thanked the ladies for their untiring endeavours to provide everything for the creature comforts; also Mr E. Barlett for supplying the music. Mr H. Rogers proposed three cheers for the ladies, which were given in a thoroughly hearty manner. It is the intention of the ladies in the North Bank Settlement to get up a picnic and sports for the school children on Empire t)ay, and should the weather prove favorable a good gathering of the children is expected.

Mr' Hopkins, retiring Chief Government Apiarist, made the following remarks to a representative oi the Auckland Star last week: —

"Most of the cadets on the Government farm, studying bee culture are ladies; in fact, it is eminently suitable for women, and to those who can adapt themselves to the pleasant work of bee-keeping it can be made a very interesting and remunerative occupation for women. I have said before, and say again, that excellent opportunities are held out for those members of the fair sex who are willing to devote themselves to apiary work." It was stated that at the Ruakura farm, with sixty hives, the output this season was one and a half tons of honey. Mr Hopkins considers that it would have been double that quantity if there had been no disease. With the enforcement of the provisions of the Apiary Act, however, the district is now comparatively free of disease again. Ruakura is one of the three Government apiaries, the other two being at Waerenga and Levin.

Mr Booker Washington, at a meeting in New York attended by Mr Taft, told a story which is likely to cling to the President-elect. An old negress cook in the South, who lad cooked a delicious dinner for Mr Taft, during his recent visit, was asked if she did not feel greatly honoured at cooking for such a great man. Aunty replied: "Neber done heerd ob him befor. Know nothin' about him except he do look as if be reglar at his meals."