NGAPARA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1135, 8 December 1879, Page 2

NGAPARA.

(from our own correspondent.) December 6. A great amount of dissatisfaction seems to exist among the residents and business men about here with reference to the Livingstone branch railway, now in course of construction. From the way they are working now, it seems that the line is to branch off at Windsor, describe a semicircle, and terminate within three miles of our own terminus, opening up no country on its way, and apparently benefitting but few people. Added to which the terminus will bo placed in such a position that the line will be 200 feet lower than the level of what it should be. I hear rumors that a public meeting will be called to endeavor to get the line carried further away from us before it is too late to do so. But more of this anon. We are again to the fore as usual with our Caledonian sports. An influential meeting was called last evening, when it was decided to hold the usual sports on Christmas Day, and lists were prepared for obtaining subscriptions, and other preliminary matter disposed of. It speaks well for the place that the residents take so much interest in it, and I have no doubt that we shall have a fine gathering. It was also proposed that a concert and dance be held in the evening in Mr. Campbell's spacious assembly room, but nothing was settled definitely about it. Some little amusement was occasioned here this week by a gentleman with the high-sounding name of Professor Winter, exhibiting what he termed " Barney's bull," which was no less than one of the old-fashioned galanty shows at which we wore wont to amuse, ourselves in days gone by. Previous to commencing his performance he must have paid sundry visits to "ye hostelrie," for he did make a "bull" of it properly. Unfortunately for the Professor, the audience were not content with this, and seeing no other way of getting value for their money, they determined to seize upon his performing pieces of cardboard, which they accordingly did, and next morning they were to be seen displayed upon every post in the township. As for the Professor himself, he was seen the next day wandering about with a pack on his back and his tongue hanging out, praying for some kind Christian to " lend me a sixpence. It's right." But now lam glad to say he lias disappeared as mysteriously as he came. We shall have a splendid harvest this year, if the rain will only keep off, though a good many farmers are complaining that their crops are too heavy as it is. Kitchen gardens are all looking well, and in capital order, and I think, taking all things into consideration, Ngapara will compare favorably with a good many towns three times its size and of longer standing.