WOODVILLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 17

WOODVILLE.

r have lately had some news through tho back parts of the country, and have been vi ry much [interested to note the vast improvements mado during tho last fivo years. Roads are extending outwards and being widened ami metalled ; houses are going up instead of whares ; bush is coming down and grass going in and the homesteads are having more care- taken of them. This last is a pretty good sign of things

going well. A bran now block of settlement that has come, into existence during the last fivo years is tho Mangatoro Valley, which lies behind the well-known Mangatoro Station, formerly tho property of Mr ti. D. Hamilton. Five years ago it was dense bush with hardly a track through it; now it is getting rapidly cleared, and has a population of about 50 people. One peculiar tiling about it is that while it is in tho Kumeroa Road District, tho only road communication with Kumeroa is by going round by Danovirko, which is the market town of the block. To roach if from Kumeroa means climbing over the Waiwepu hills, which are' a couple of thousand feet high. It is a very fine exercise, especially if repeated every day for a month, and one gets a splendid view when on the the top of the saddle, from which both Woodvillo and Danevirko can bo seen; but it distinctly tends against against anything like community of interest, and it appears to me that it ought to bo studied in arranging I new districts.

1 happened to be in Danevirke a fow nights ago when our member, Mr Ball, was speaking there. Ho bad a very good meeting although it wis a miserably wot, cold night, His reception was capital and lie did credit to himself with his address. Hardly one of his audience stirred till the meeting was over, and there was no attempt to heckle him. There were not many interruptions, and what there were he scored off. 1 should judge Mr Hall's seat is safe as far as Danevirke is concerned. At the first drill of the now volunteer corps, although tho company has not yet been formally accepted, over 50 members turned up in spite of the bad weather, and thoy really seem to be a very fine lot of young fellows, and showed great aptitude for their drill. Al the band practice on Tuesday night a surprise was sprung on the bandmaster, Mr A. Lawrence, in the shape of the presentation of a silver-pla'ed cuphoniumr Mr Luvreim- has been bandmaster now for for nearly ten years, and lias brought the, 1,,-md up fi-mo ■■< im irher.shipof ha it a dozen io nearly (hirly a:;d io a point of ability v/hicli is'very creditable both to it and to him. So he well deservi d tho acLuoirlcdgenient of his service.--. One of our most buccossful minor institutions is a chess and draughts club, started a good many years ago. It lias been" carried on with some vic's ufudos, but furlho past three or four years ir has been holding its own and gaining ground steadily. Last year it played a. telegraphic match with Marlon and won it, and has also played the I'ahialua Club each year with varying success. It is. now- making preparations for tho coming winter season, and it is to open next Friday with a public exhibition, when Mr T. Sexton will, blindfold, play : four other members. A largo number of visitois are expected to watch the performance. Tho chili's tables are rather unique, They were a present from one of the members, and are two slabs of white, pine, pit-sawn, and each overtoil feet long,; by nearly three wide and two inches thick. The football club, ou the other hand, is complaining- of great want of interest on the pari- of members and committeemen. Tho Foresters opened their hall with a social and concert last 'Wednesday uigdilj and though it was a pouring wet night they were eiowdod out, Tho first part a the' entertainment was opened with ai address from Mr C. Hall, M.H.K., aud ai

address was also given by Mr Gothard, the Mayor of the town. They both spoke of the advantages of friendly societies, and congratulated the Court on its progress. Bro. A. Lawrence gave an account of the history of the Court and of the position of the Wellington District, A.0.F., and about 11 o'clock songs and speeches gave way to dancing, which was kept up till 4 next morning. The hall is a very decided acquisition to the town, and measures 40ft by 30ft. It contains a meeting-room, an ante-room, vestibule, secretary's office, with a gallery above the last three. It is very nicely furnished, the members of the Court having taken great interest in fitting it out so that it will be a credit to the Court.

Captain Kussell is to speak at Pahiatua this week, aud it is hoped that he will speak in Woodville also before the session begins. It is also hoped to induce Mr Seddon to speak here. It is a pity they would not both come on the one night and take turns to speak, as it would be much more interesting. Mr Tuely, the County Clerk, has returned from a trip to Australia, where ho has been in bearch of health. I am glad to say ho has found a good measure of it. Mr Hill, the School Inspector, will be up in a fortnight to hold his annual examinations. As he is a great geologist, it is intended to get him to look at the mineral discoveries lately made and to obtain his opinion on them. The teachers are confident that the youngsters will do well.