Our Country Letters.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 996, 3 April 1891, Page 26

Our Country Letters.

FEILDING. * ■ _i i—"We are baring a plethora of amusements. On "Wednesday came the talking machineEdison’s phonograph which proved an imtnenso attraction, and which not only astonished the natives, but highly amused them as well. I am glad to say Professor Archibald and Mr MacMahon purpose giving us another call with their marvellous machine on their return tour from the other island. On Thursday the children of the Public School gave a concert, and the cantata * Red Siding Hood,’ in aid of the school prize fund, under the very able conductorahip of Mrs Duncan, who deserves much praise for the very great pains she had evidently taken in training the ycung performers. During the evening Miss Roaclie, who has been a most popular and successful teacher in the school for many years, and who ~has just left it for another sphere of life, was called on to the stage, and by the chairman of the committee was presented on behalf of the children with several presents, the principal of which was a handsome cruet stand, together with a letter conveying the scholars’ feelings of affection and esteem for the recipient. I should mention that the Wellington Garrison Band, who hpd arrived here for the contest, very kindly gave us by request a little of their excellent music in front of the Assembly Rooms previous to the opening of the doors, and drew a large crowd, and greatly helped in promoting the attendance. Now for the band contest, an event which will havp to be marked in red letters whenever the annals of Eeilding are written. Never, in tbo history of this settlement has anything excited such widespread interest, had a better educational effect, musically speaking, or given to the inhabitants of the district such a really good musical treat. Out of the eight hands that had entered the following live competed :—Wellington Garrison and Gray’s, Palmerston Eire Brigade, Marton Royal Rides, and Feilding Brass Band. Mr C. D. Macintosh, of Wellington, acted as judge. On Friday night each band played a selection of its own choice. Following are tlio order in which they were drawn, and the nameß of their respective pieces:—Marton, ‘Martha ;’ .Gray’s, ‘Excelsior;’ Garrison, * Reinzi Feilding, * Maritana ;’ Palmerston, 4 Queen of Beauty.' After hearing the bands the general verdict of a large audience was — Garrison, 1 ; Gray’s, 2; Feilding, 3. And although popular opinion ia not always right, it was not far wrong in this case. On Saturday night each band played a selection from Donezetti’s opera, 4 Linda Do Chamouni/ in the following order —Garrison, Marton, Palmerston, Gray’s, and Feilding. The full and official report is, X understand, to be published in about a fortnight, but briefly the following is the result as declared by the judge from the stage, giving Bimply the total number of points: —Garrison, 78 ; Gray’s, 73; Feilding, 66 ; Marton, 56 : Palmerston, 50. He said that the Garrison had gained on their own selection. In the test piece Gray’s got the most points, and in the same piece ■the Garrison and Feilding had tied,for second place. He therefore declared the Garrison to be the winner of the first prize (£39), Gray’s second (£ls), and Feilding third (£5). A special train bronght a large number of both volunteers and civilians from Palmerston, and the town was most unusually lively. During the time the judge was making up his notes the several bands each played an air from the stage. The decision was looked forward to with.the greatest interest, and loud applause followed as each winning band respectively was named, but when it was announced that in the * te3t ’ piece our local 'band bad tied with the Garrison, the enthusiasm of the Feilding folk was unbounded. All over, a start was made for the station, the Garrison band playing a lively inarch en route.- Halting at their hotel another tune was played, followed by 4 Auld Lang Syne/ and mutual cheers for all and sundry. Hundreds of people went to the station to see the visitors off, and the train left amid another deafening storm of cheers. Thus ended an event which I feel sure both the visitors and our townspeople will hold in the most pleasant recollection. To-day (Easter Monday) the annual Autumn Race Meeting is being held on the new race course, and is well attended by visitors, although a great many townspeople have gone to see the volunteer review at Palmerston. To-night we are to have a grand entertainment by the Feilding Dramatic Club, and a dance to wind up the holiday proceedings. The weather throughout the few days has been simply glorious and summer-like, and bush burning is again the order of the day. £. TARANAKI. V On the 21st it was very showery during the day, and rained heavily in the night. Sunday, 22nd, was fine, but on the 23rd it wa3 again showery, as was also the 24th. There was also much cold south wind. The 25th and 26th were fine, and the 27th (Good Friday) was a most lovely day, warm, but not too hot, and soft, gentle zephyrs beeping the air stirring. It was observed as a holiday by the Post Office, but not on the railway, the linesmen working away with pick and shovel as if no one ever thought of making a holiday of Good Friday. The Mountain road is now in fine condition after the recent metalling, and driving from Stratford to Normanby some beautiful country may be seen. It is rolling and undulating, with a ■ few hills that even a native of Devonshire might call steep. Tho bush is all gone with the excep'ion of portions here and there left for shelter, and of course remains in the shape of bleached stumps and weird-looking trunks. Tho homesteads are numerous, and vary greatly in appearance, from the veritable shanty to the comfortable well-painted house, with large windows, verandahs, and lovely flowers blooming round. Some of the holdings are almost covered with thistles ; others are like lawns, so smooth and velvety is the green sward. Beyond Eltham a good deal of cropping is done. One farmer had evidently no idea of making Good Friday

a holiday, as he and his boy were industriously ploughing a large field. Mon work seriously in Taranaki. I think if Gray bad written his beautiful poem in this country ho would nob have thought of saying : ‘ How jocund did they drive their team afiold.’ There are not many orchards, but plenty of sheltered slopes were noticeable where orchards might be planted, and which would well repay the planters if they understood the treatment of orchards. Some Maoris camping out had evidently been gathering a plentiful harvest of fungus. It was lying all around over the ground, and sacks were piled up well stuffed with it, while Maoris sat around, some on stuffed sacks, others on the ground, cooking in large iron pots. Eltham is a rising township, tbe houses clustering on either side of tbe bridge. There was a picnic going on at Eltham, to which numbers of people were going from considerable distances. Close to Eltham a road turns off, leading to the Ngaire Swamp, which is well worth a visit, but owing to the frequent rains and the traffic of the sawmill the road is in a very bad slate, and by no means pleasant to drive upon just now. Yet here, too, are comfortable and pretty homesteads, with their fruit trees, their kitchen garden, and flowers. Considering how cheap both land and timber are it seems a pity that in many cases the houses are so small. No doubt most of the members-of the family are out of doors tho greater part of tho day, but frequently the families are very large, and at night they are all in the litllo house. That cannot be good for tbo health either of the present or tho rising generation. For health’s sake it is better to have a largo airy plain house than ever so elegant a little tiny one. The pheasants seem pretty numerous this year, and fly low. The beautiful wild pigeons, on the contrary, that used to be so numerous ten years ago are now very rare, and fly very high. Wild ducks are occasionally seen flying in groups at a great height. The tuis are now very much en evidence, as they always are when the berries are ripening on the trees. It is most amusing to watch the tui taking part in a eoneert. He gives a few clear ringing calls, which are responded to by the other members of the band from considerable distances, then he shakes and quivers, stretches up his beak and throat, mixing up with the notes the most extraordinary gushes, croaks, popping out of corks, and other genial sounds till he takes up the bold clear call again, and makes tho bush resound with his song. If people would only think what a charm is added to country life by the presence and song of birds, perhaps they would oftener leave clumps of bush to shelter them. As it is, in most cases all the bush comes down, leaving the whole unsheltered from wind or sun. ; It is sad to think how many charming birds roust be sacrificed in these great bush fires, and how many must be banished for want of woods to harbour them. GREYTOWN. Mr J. Barnard, the energetic proprietor of the Palace Theatre here, has leased the Masterton Theatre for a period of years, and intends to run both places of public amusement. His many friends wish him every success in liis double venture to secure the patronage of the play-going public. Considerable expense is being incurred by the trustees of the Grey town Foresters’ Hall in extensive improvements and additions thereto. A large extension is added to the back of the main building for stage accommodation ; a large covered-in porch is being built at the front entrance. Tho interior arrangements for amusements of whatever kind to be held in the building, both below and in the gallery, will be nearly double tbe space available in the original building, besides being more commodious than heretofore. For some considerable time past there has been no lack of evening amusements here. Last week (‘Passion Week,’) however, was an exception. On Good Friday being a close 1 shut up ’ day, and the weather being fine many visitors to the town from Wellington and elsewhere were perambulating the streets in holiday attire. In the afternoon a football match was played on tbe recreation ground between the local Fire Brigade team and tlie Pioneers’ team from Wellington, resulting in a win for tbe former club. In the evening divine service was held at St. Luke’s Chureli. A large congregaiion was present. In the afternoon a funeral look placo from tbe local hospital, the circumstance being one of mournful incidence. The deceased, named Allan Reid, aged 22 years, came to New Zealand for the benefit of his health two months (about) ago. Ho stayed in Wellington a short time under friendly supervision, and was advised to take a change, so came to the Wairarapa, staying for a short time in the ‘ Lower Valley*.’ His affliction becoming more intense ho went into the Greytown Hospital, where every cave and attention was given him, medical and otherwise, but without avail. He realised that his case was hopeless, and desired the visits of a Presbyterian minister. At times tho dying man intensely realised the hopeless position of his loneliness—dying a stranger in a strange land ‘ far away from home and mother,’ of whom he often spoke in pathetic tones. It is rumoured that a brother is coming out to him in tho next mail boat. Easter Sunday was a fine day, and the various places of worship were well attended. In the evening at 8.45 p.m. tho Rev E. H. Wyatt, according to announcement, gave a free lecture at the Palaeo Theatre, entitled ‘ What are wo to think of the Bible ?’ The hall was filled with a large congregation. Numbers were present who never attend a place of public worship. The rev gentleman’s motive in holding this service being to create an interest in divine things in the sceptical minds of non-church-goers. His Worship the Mayor occupied tho chair, the rev lecturer addressing the nudienee from tho stage. There was neither singing nor prayer during the service, and no collection. There have recently been very large purchases of sheep from various stations throughout the valley for freezing and export, one wealthy native chief near Greytown

receiving a cheque for £1350 for sheep sold off his run from his own flock. Easter Monday was a close holiday hero, tho placo during the day being deserted through holiday folks going either to the Football Tournament al Carterton, the Matarawa Wesleyan School Picnic, or Tauherenikau races. The holiday winding up, with those who like it, in a public dance at the Palace Theatre. '*s THE WAIRARAPA. On Easter Sunday afternoon, the remains of the unfortunate Kate Butler, who was killed by a fall from a horse a few days ago, were followed lo the grave by a very large number of people. Tho impressive funeral service being conducted by Mr E. T. Feist. A very important social matter has again been brought prominently before tbo residents of Masterton by this sad occurance, viz : the absence of a morgue or any suitable building set apart for the reception of the dead here. When the girl’s body was found, a constable was despatched with a break to bring her into Masterton, and as is customary, he stopped at the first hotel in the town, which happens to be the Occidental, kept by Mr H. Phillips. Mr Phillips refused to allow the body to bo placed anywhere on his premises, except in a tumble down old stable, infested witli rats, and not overclean, and there she was left until after tho inquest, when the undertaker, Mr T. M. Hoar, with some feeling of Christian charity, removed her to his own dwelling and had performed the last sad offices which had hitherto been neglected. To have treated the remains of a most respectable young person, and, above all, that one, a woman, in such a manner is a shatnoand a disgrace. Doubtless, there were many in Masterton who would have gladly found her a decent resting place, had they but known the circumstances, for that deep sympathy was felt, was evidenced by the number who attended tbe funeral. But the fact remains that they did not know, and so she was left in such a wretched manner. , Let us hope that it may be a very last case of the kind. Public opinion is being strongly expressed on tho matter, and I feel sure that if our Borough Council voted a small sum for the erection of a suitable and conveniently situated morgue, they would be in perfect harmony with the burgesses on the matter. To vary the usual routine of everyday life, we have had several causes for excitement during the past week, and one of them is the outbreak of a very unpleasant and at the samo time contagions disease, known as 4 itch.’ Fortunately, Dr Hosking, ever on the alert, noticed it on a child in the street, and laid the matter before the proper authorities, who have taken what precautionary measures are possible. At present only four families are known to be affected, and if due care is taken ifc may not spread any further. The value and efficiency of our local volunteer fire brigade was forcibly brought under notice on Wednesday night last, when the residence of Mr W. Baker, Hessey street, was accidently set ou fire by a-small boy in the absence of his parents. Although the house is situated some little distance from the station, the engine was on tlie spot in something under three minutes from the time the first alarm was given, which is really smart work, and does our volunteers great credit. Another of our largest local firms has just succumbed to misfortune and taken refuge under the wing of the Official Assignee. I allude to Messrs Rosa and Muir, who for some time have carried on a fairly large engineering and coaclibuilding business. At a preliminary meeting, an offer of 10s in the £ was made, but one creditor raised a dissentient voice and the firm was compelled to file. Last Wednesday evening the presentation of prizes won at tlie recent meeting of the Wairarapa Rifle Association, took place at the Drill Hall, Masterton. A goodly number of visitors put in an appearance. Tho various awards being made by Mrs Donald Donald, supported by other iady friends. Captain Pownall, in a neat speech, congratulated those who had been successful, and especially Serge mb Matthews, the winner of tho Cham pion Belt. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., also spoke in laudatory terms of tho Volunteer forces generally, and tho Masterton Rifles in particular, telling them that for general efficiency and discipline they hold, in liis opinion, a foremost place among the country corps of the colony. In alluding to the retrenchments and proposed retrenchments in the Defence and Polico Forcos, he said 4 he could plainly see indicated that more attention was to be paid to the volunteers.’ Tho volunteers had therefore better be on the alert, as there is probably 4 a good time coining bovs., Since Thursday tho town has appeared unusually dull, partly owing to the number who have left for Palmerston to take part in or witness the encampment. As tho weather keeps lino they will probably enjoy the trip. The annual football match between Eketahuna and Pahiatua took place at Eketahuna on Easter Monday, resulting, aftor a hard struggle, in a win for the home team by one point, a cleverly-managed try, by Dubois. Tlie visitors were entertained with true bush hospitality, a substantial lunch and tea being provided for them at F. D. Polling's Club Hotel. In the evening a very successful ball was held which should leave something towards the club’s funds. Masterton, March 31. Beautiful weather prevailed here for the holiday yesterday, and large numbers of visitors were in Masterton. A trotting match took place on the Opaki Racecourse between Mr J. Yates’Jumbo and Messrs Talloon Bros.’ Berlin ; distance, two miles and a half. It was won by Jumbo, in Bmin 4sec. At Carterton the Social Club’s Sports were held, bat the proposed football tournament fell through, as the various clubs would not run the risk of disqualification. An exhibition football match, between the Red Stars (Masterton) and Rivals (Carterton), was arranged. A petition praying for a special order, deolaring certain portions of the Eketahuna and Maurioevillo Road Districts a new distriot, to be known »b the Makakabl Roafl

District, is to be presented to the Wairarapa North County Council. In a football match, Eketahuna v. Pahiatua, played at Eketahuna yesterday, Eketahuna won by a try. This was the only soore made. , THE WAIMATE PLAINS. If one ascend Mount Vesuvius one will find there the commonplace enamel advertisement of that household oommodity, Coleman’s mustard, which has been used for so many centuries before the fall of man that it’s origin ia lo3t in myth. Mr W. H. Towgood, of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia, h»3 ascended Mount Egmont, and in a similar manner left the notice of his Company. From this I would offer a suggestion. At the summit put the orthodox mechanical box with the ‘ slot.’ and put tho following appeal on a board conspicuously displayed : 4 lt will be a miracle if your neck is nob broken before you reach the bottom. Put a sovereign in the slot, and a fully paid up policy for £IOO will fall out.’ Well, of course, it’s natural to expect to hear some talk about the constant rain injuring our crops. Undoubtedly it has done a lot of mischief, still things are not so very bad. For grazing purposes there’s more grass than the stock know how to eat, and we have had to import several mobs of sheep from Napier side, aud now news comes that Napier itself has oversold. This should have been a good sign, but, unfortunately for this district, the wet is reported to have been the oause of a good deal of the mortality amongst the young sheop. I think perhaps if the Government went in for real retrenchment they would have the support of the whole country, but I must coufess there seems very little retrenchment in half gumming postage stamps to the annoyance of the public, who are in the postoffice all day waiting for the messenger to harry up with the glae pot. Onr worthy postmaster, Mr King, is having a well earned rest, and Mr Rapley, from Wanganui, is in charge. Plans are out for a school at the corner of the Manaia and Opunake roads. In one part of the district to which the Education Board can’t afford to send a teacher the settlers, I believe, are going to erect a school and maintain a teacher at their own expense.

We have just had a couple of splendid days. On a fine clear day tbe scene all round from Manaia will take a lot of beating. For the life of me I can’t understand how it is that there is standing room in this country. In Britain they are either snowed up or flooded out. In America it’s either a blizzard or a waterspout, and in Australia it’s the fie"y heat or a dirty slimy river running all over the country, which rhars the beauty of existence ; but here, if paradise wete anything but the fancy of an enthusiast or a divine reality, it would not be able to hold a candle to it. Well, perhaps we had better not open our mouths too wide or we may be pressed out by the influx of strangers. The M anaia Caledonian Society are to be congratulated on the success of their gathering on Easter Monday. The weather was incomparable. Notwithstanding the great attraction at New Plymouth, the attendance was considerably larger than last year. Tho prize money offered was £9O. Excitement was great over the performance of Mr L. Broad. This gentleman at Stratford, on an uneven course, was reputed to have done the mile in very quick time. On the Manaia course, although ho was not at all well, he ran tho mite with 10 yards start in 4min 50 4-sths secs. Mr Feek won the Maiden 150yds in 18seo3, and later on took the 100yds Handicap. There were no entries for the Sword Dance and Fling. Masters Bogue and Brennan woa the Schoolboys’ races. Mr W. Good ran the Quarter-mile hurdles with lSyds start in 59 2-sth sec, and took the Running Jump at sft sin. Pou, the • Champagne ’ of Manaia, beat all oomers at wrestling. Mr Hayward walked the mile in 7min 245e03. Mr Hodge displayed great pluck in the lightweight wrestling. Hikaka vaulted 9ft 9.n with the pole, and Messrs Hohaia and Mininlnex distinguished themselves in other events. Mr Matheson maintained his reputation at throwing the hammer. Considerable praise is due to Mr J. R. Stowart the handicapper, for the way in which hia keen judgment so well tallied with the results. The Manaia Brass Band acquitted themselves well, playing several new tunes in a manner which, with a little more practice, should go far from disgracing them at a stiff competition. Although your correspondent did not formally report himself to the committee as a pressman, he has to thank Mr Hurley for the kind invitation to the luncheon. His kindness in getting up the children’s races should not pass unobserved. MARTON. Tlie past week here has been uneventful. How I am therefore to make something out of nothing is beyond iny comprehension, although I am told it is often done. The holidays have had the effect of letting loose all tho school children, and for the last few days they have been tho only visible inhabitants of the town, the parents having, no doubt, taken the opportunity of making holiday at Palmerston, Wellington, or wherever there was likely to be any amusement. Our local red coats, of course, form part of tbe 4 grand army,* collecting at Palmerston, and we are anxiously awaiting news from tho front. Flyfflg rumours are ourrent that a great battle bas been fought and won, and that they still thirsted for more blood. No wonder 1 Some of them are, no doubt, veterans of Parihnka, and the craving for blood is still strong, although it is ten years or thereabouts since they tasted it last. I have no doubt that 4 when the fight is over ’ there will be a long list of promotions, and Victoria Crosses will be as plentiful as blackberries. It would not suprise me if this crisis does not revive the billet occupied lately by 4 our only General/ and why notP If there should be any difficulty in finding the proper man to take J I could point him out if the

4 honorarium ’ was right, but it would have to be made secure for life—no temporary business about it this time ; for, mind you, my man bas seen service, and was all through the Parahaka Campaign, and, what is much more singular to relate, came out of it all to thoul a scratch and without the V.C. ; the latter decoration was, however, afterwards awarded him by a grateful Government for the agility he displayed "in the engagements fought on that memorable field. Speaking of a grateful Government reminds me of our prospects of having Mr Bruce back again in the House as member for Waitotara if Mr Hutchison is to be transferred to London a 9 Agent-General. When that takes place will not Hutchison Pere, the erstwhile favourite (?) of Rangitikei, be a proud man 1 I wonder if he will propose reductions in that branch of the service also on tbe first day of next session. I should think, however, that the Government would be flowing over with gratitude to place Mr George Hutchison in such a position. Singular things do sometimes happen ; but the singularity does not make them any the less absurd. Tlie phonograph has been here. I tried to make one of the audience, but failed, and had also the selfish consolation of seeing thirty or forty others refused admittance. The Foresters’ Hall was packed to the door, and even the holders of reserved seats were left out in the cold. It appears that some mistakes were made in numbering these seats, and in the crush they were evidently taken possession of by others, and a glorious mix up tho result. I suppose, however, that in a very few years phonographs will bo as common as telegraphy is now, and the latter will be stored away in our museums as relies of the past. We shall soon be able to speak our messages to frieuds in the Old Country, who will recognise the voices they have not heard for perhaps many years. It sounds uncanny, and reminds one of table-rapping and supernatural agencies. Who could give a list of the present eight wonders of the world ! It would be easier to prognosticate the eight greatest wonders that will take place within the next ten years ; and at the rate science is travelling now this would be no light task. The passenger traffic on the WanganuiPalmerston line for the last week or more has been greater than I have seen for years. Wellington no doubt will be full of visitors from every quarter, including Hawkes Bay and Napier, now that the Gorge railway enables them to get through without trouble. Although this link in the communication between Hawkes Bay and Wellington ia now in working order the Gorge portion will always be a source of dangei-, and in my opinion the worst portions will, sooner or later, have to be covered with sheds, as is done on the Sierra Nevada to run off the snow. PALMERSTON NORTH. Palmir'-tox N" OP.TH, March 27. The secretary to the Orona Special Settlement Association is in receipt of a letter from Mr. W J. A. Marohant, Commissioner of Crown Lands, informing him that 44 the Waimarino is the only block where 10,000 acres could be secured fib, to cut into 200 acre lots, provided it la not too fair back from markets." It is thought that iE tha Government will give the facilities for settlement, which are being asked for (but which those who have been most active in this district, in promoting the formation of societies with this object fear our rulers are by no means disposed to concede) good land within easy distance of Palmerston, caa htill be found, suitable in all respects for special settlement. The whole question will, 1 understand, be fully ventilated at a meeting of the proposed associations to be held immediately after tbe holidays. Tbe despatch with which trains have been loaded and discharged at the new station during the last few day has been the subject of very favourable comment. Tho Palmerston platform is now said to be the most extensive and commodious in the Colony, and it is further stated that there are no less than nine miles of sidings. It may not perhao3 be amiss in this connection to suggest that hoards should be put on eaoh train to indicate its destination, as I noticed yesterday that many people were in doubt as to which train was for Wanganui and which for Napier. A little attention to this matter might prevent serious inconvenience.