HOROWHENUA NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9632, 12 April 1917, Page 2

HOROWHENUA NOTES

From Our Own Correspondent. OTAKI, Wednesday. Practically the only attraction in this district on E.astor Monday was the carnival, organised by Mrs T. Parata, assisted by Mrs Davies and Mrs Hira Parata and. daughter, to raise funds tor Lady Liverpool's and Mrs (Dr) Pomares efforts. The day was flue, while the sale of Maori curios was a big inducement for many outside visitors to attend. The lovely Maori mats, baskets, piu pius, • and last, but by no means least, the fine Union Jack, so artistically worked by Mrs Tom Parata, assisted by Mrs Davies, created much interest. Tho flag was the cynosure of all eyes, and when offered .for sale realised several bids, the buyers purchasing tho article with “put it up again.” At Al 5 the flag was handed back, and will now probably find a place in the British Museum. All other articles sold readily, while vegetables and fruit, given liberally by settlers, also sold well. Afternoon tea (cakes, etc., being generously given by European ladies) was dispensed and enjoyed, while tho meetinghouse at night was packed, scores being unable to gain admission. Tho programme. proved a very good one, but, unfortunately, N urse te Au was unable to be present. Her place, however, was filled by Miss Evelyn Jones, who proved a worthy substitute, singing most pleasingly and gaining an emphatic encore. The poi dance, by the children wearing whauhi piu pius, was gracefully accomplished, while tho Russian exercises and the Russian Folk Song, by Misses Gladys Cork and Ngaire Dewsbury, were pleasing items. One of the gems of the evening was a piano and banjo duet, contributed by Mr Johnnie Webber and Miss Webber in their best style. Mrs H. O. Jones gave an excellent pianoforte selection, while Misses Cork contributed a sailor’s hornpipe in good style. Mr Tobi Mahima and Mr Jacob Utiku also pleased the audience, rendering songs that suited. Mrs H. 0. Jones efficiently acted as accompanist to the various performers. A dance that followed, and kept going with spirit till the early hours of morning, was largely attended and thoroughly enjoyed. As the. result of the function it is estimated that some ACO will be cleared.

The Pearcey Cup contest, played on the local bowling green on Saturday, caused a deal of interest. Bates, Bills, A. Bright, and Satherley were pitted against Noble, H. Bright, Olliver, and Edwards. Prom the commencement play was of a fairly even nature, being four all on the fourth head. On the eleventh head Edwards led 10—9, and further increased the lead on the fourteenth head 14—10, while on the seventeenth head he led 20—11. Satherley then scored a five, which, however, brought him within three of Edwards on the nineteenth head. The latter then scored a couple of singles, and Unis won the game, 22-17. V

A trip that always proves interesting to tho mountaineer is the one across the Tararuas from Woodside (Greytowu) to Otaki, and now that the road is well mapped, house and other conveniences made for the wayfarer, the trip is even more enjoyable than a time ago, when one had to climb over fallen bush, tussocks, and at the end of a day’s weary journey have to sleep in the open, perhaps in a heavy rain, or in a fog that was anything but pleasant. Among the latest to accomplish the task of crossing from the Wairarapa side, where every convenience is made for the mountaineer, to Otaki, were Messrs Archie Wiren, Hemery, Gifford (a science master and astronomer). Barker, and Robertson, of Wellington, who arrived, after doing the trip in easy stages, at Otaki at 3 o'clock on Monday. They were thoroughly equipped for the journey, had a most enjoyable time—the mountain scenery and the landscapes being greatly appreciated—and expressed pleasure at .haying such an exhilarating trip, which was only spoiled in places by a dense fog. It was at this stage that they were obliged to make their way by compass-'-a comparatively easy matter. The party returned to Wellington on Monday evening. •