WHAKAPARA NOTES

Northern Advocate, 16 September 1932, Page 3

WHAKAPARA NOTES

THROUGH TRAFFIC!. The stream of northern traffic is again passing through Whakapara, after a cessation of about two months, and motorists unanimously express satisfaction on again being able to use the more direct route. With the.base coat of this last nnmetalled length completed, the bugbear of chains, with a good possibility of being hogged, has become a thing of the past. Except for occasional floods, an all-weather road is now provided. The wayside flora (I do not remember the Latin for tea-tree and fern) will no longer bo denuded to furnish "green metal," nor need old Dobbin hide in the darkest corner for fear of a midnight call and a wild plunge in the mud. School Matters In conjunction with other primary schools, our local institution has now got well into its stride for the last term of the year. As is usually the case, the aggregate attendance was somewhat marred during the middle term through minor winter ailments, but, with spring upon us, and examinations pending, no doubt "all present" will be the daily report. During the recess, work was completed on an cxeavation to provide a level space so necessary to a modern school ground. For tennis, basketball, eurythmics { dancing and drill,' such a space is essential, and although our little school is in some respects ideally situated, as a playground it is lacking. So far as the season has permitted, and witli a heavy soil to deal with, gardening work has not been neglected, which later, with the artistically laid-out new flower beds, well drained, should prove a delight to the eye. Seasonal. Again spring is upon and the all important question today is as to the weather approaching. More important than usual, because producers have in many cases increased their milking herds, and the matter of fodder, plentiful or otherwise,. is in all farmers’ minds. During the past three weeks J little rain has fallen, and there is some fear that we shall have a sudden transition to summer, missing the warm rain so necessary to start growth. At time of writing, soft rain'is falling, but with a sharp wind. As, officially at least, winter has hardly finished yet, there is still time aplenty for the warm, humid moisture. Since the commencement this month, cream cartage shows a big increase, and within a few weeks the daily service will be : upon us. Hikers. They came along, unhurriedly, these men on the road, for there is no occasion for haste. They carry no urgent message from the "boss" tolling them to be sure to get there first thing Monda3'' morning.' There is no sure job waiting for them up the road. Was a time when the good old Australian term of "swaggie" would be used in referring to these casual wayfarers, who pass along, "bluey" up (sometimes), but one hastens to be in the fashion, and so today they are "hikers," Usually they are cheerful and hopeful in adversity. There may be something doing further on. Any way, it is not ,so bad, barring the rainy days. Theirs is the real mystery hike, right into vague territory, and a still vaguer future, and no train awaiting. Nobody to worry whether they walk on Sundays, either. _ None look ill-fed, and most have the wherd-withall for a smoke.. i Soipe carry their swag like "tradesmen," some show the awkwardness of the amateur. Some haven’t got a swag to carry, The old boots are a source of worry, and one notes, when spell-01l is being taken, and tired feet eased, a careful look over of foot cover. The genuine seeker of work has to walk. If he accepts many rides lie ,is only a. tourist. So it is a case of how long the boots will last. And mostly they are earnest in their desire for a job. As a rule, little is communicated as to where they come from, but one gathers gleanings. Wool is flat, so wo are trying butter. Sometimes there arc exceptions. Such a one comes to mind. He came along jauntily, sans "swag," sans hat. He was quite young, it was a beautiful sunny morning, and ho seized on the writer to tell all about himself, his abilities. He instructed deponent as to the correct metho’d of handling his tools. He had vision, had that young chap, lie pictured a sundrenched bay " up north," a. nice stretch of beach, and a little old deserted where. "A bit of fishing, .you know, a little garden, grow your own vegetables, and a day now and again for the neighbouring fanner." One thought of. Henry Lawson, and mentally added to the picture. An only daughter, welding bells, the rich old farmer retiring, and my hopeful wayside acquaintance set for life. I turned him round the corner up the Russell road, "Go north, young man, go north." T trust the north held him, but otherwise lie had heard of the Waipoua forest, would like to see it, and if lie missed finding his bay, intended to return that route.