AN ESSAY ON ORURU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8583, 3 June 1891, Page 3

AN ESSAY ON ORURU.

Orcru is a New Zealand name of Maori origin. Soapanshaven in his Polyglot Encyclopaedia, in the section devoted to ' • Territorial Terminations --of Polynesian Nomenclature," asserts that 'the word ruru signifies morepork, or common owl fcHorridas eyesinglass). This, however, has been met with a mosb uncommon owl of dissent from Oruru philologists, arising most probably from an insufficient knowledge on their part of the intimate connection existing between the old Arian word roots and the roots now so prolifically produced in the fertile soil of Oruru's happy valley. Auckland is situated some two hundred miles to the south of Oruru. London is still further away. This is London's misfortune, and may to some extent account for that still important place not being able to secure the appearance of the Oruru Dramatic Society on the boards of Drnry Lane Theatre. Oruru is celebrated for its butter and eggs, more especially for the inferior quality of its butter; but the eggs, like the inhabitants, are not half a bad lot when they come out of their shells. The poultry is of a very layzy breed, but there is no chicanery aboub them when dressed for dinner. Compared with these, it may be confidently affirmed that the other " Lays of Zealandia" are not in it. Oruru is also famous for its agricultural show, where they give prizes for essays and darned socks and things, and for the magnificent moustache of its genial secretary. The inhabitants lead an Orural and pastoral life, subsisting chiefly on what they eat and drink. Although so pastoral in their, habits, no pastor dwells in their midst. Sometimes there is very little in their paddocks. The soil is so exceedingly fertile that on several occasions a heavy yield of large kauri.logs has been taken off some of the low-lying meadows where 'scarcely a chip was growing the day before. Thi3 even has been known to occur when rain has been falling with tropical violence. What then may not be hoped for with favourable weather and a more intimate acquaintance with the peculiarities of this hitherto much neglected crop ? The commerce of the place is already considerable, and will be larger when very much extended. But its undoubted success in the near future lies in the fact that Oruru must become the great emporium for the sale of Mother Seigel's syrup. This may appear strange, but is readily explained by the fact that the beef is of such an indigestible nature that all who partake of it ; for one consecutive day become a prey to chronic dyspepsia, and fly for relief to the remedy the venerable Mrs. Seigel has so bountifully - provided at 3s 6d a bottle, ■

Oruru improper is unimaginable, consequently unspeakable, bub" need nob therefore, be thought^of as an unspeakable place. *" ' * If this, essay helps in any degree to a truer perception of the vast resources of the Far North I shall nob have lived in vain, and shall feel amply rewarded for the pains I have taken in compiling these facts. This reward, with the prize offered by the agricultural show, will enable me to retire from the disgusting necessities of hard work, and live a life of literary ease, and other volumes from my pen may be expected when you see them.