WOODVILLE NOTES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 560, 22 October 1897, Page 4

WOODVILLE NOTES.

Woodville is at last awakening ! A meeting of those willing to form a Prospectors’ Association was held in the Club Hotel on Tuesday night, and a great deal of enthusiasm was displayed. Gold has been found in small samples for some years. Mr Haggen, late proprietor of the Examiner, took some specimens to Sir James Hector, who, I beliove, reported favorably on them, saying that under the cyanide process the specimens showed payable gold. I believe the quartz was roughly obtained, without any proper prospecting. The locality- Ah 1 I nearly gave the show away. With a terminus, a copper-mine, and a gold mine Woodville ought to boom. If any of you Pahiatua folks want to help, 1 fancy there’s a list somewhere to be signed by anyone anxious to test the thing thoroughly. A small sub is of course requisite and necessary to obtain the services of a good practical miner. The concert in aid of the Churoh of England organ fund came oil on the 18th, and was very successful. Miss Guy, of Danevirke, scored a great success in her soDg the “ Masquerade,” receiving the only encore of the evening. Miss Laura Hall’s song with violin obligato by Mr Cohen, of Palmerston North, was a genuine treat. Mr Grant, Woodville, who I understood, had retired after 25 years at it, faced the public once more. He always sings a good son g, and was well received. The perform - ance concluded with a comedy entitled “ A Foreign Idea.” Miss Cole as “ Myrtle Vane ” and Mrs J. G. Wilson as “Lady Fritierly ” certainly do not shine as actresses (more power to them). They were very prettily dressed and looked well. Mr Scott as “ Colonel Cosey ” acted vsry well indeed. The same may be said of Mr T. Nicholson as “Sir Felix Fritterly. Mr Marryat as “ Arthur Vallance ” shewed great aptitude in the part for one soyoung. The Kev. Mr Eccles when returning thanks, as is usual with many of his countrymen “ Opened his mouth to put his foot in.” While complimenting those who had taken part and remarking the absence of two other gentlemen (Messrs McKinny and T. Grant i. he gravely informed the audience that “ We did very well without ’em.” “ They wero'nt missed.” Though mind you he did not intend by any means to convey that idea to the public. I have heard several remarks passed anent the above—hence my nllusion.

The peoplo in the back blocks seem well pleased with their new member, Mr O’Meara. I read a very nice letter from a gentleman out there, conveying thanks on behalf of himself and many others for concessions or grants obtained for their district. The remarks of Mr Hunter, member for Waipawa, on the Gower case have been severely criticised here. It is said to be quite an open secret that Gower was shielded and assisted by one or two who had been strong supporters of Mr Hunter’s in the previous election. A coat of brown or red paint to a black horse, a shave, etc., and what was easier than for Gower to ride leisurely off some weeks afterwards and make for the district beyond Wanganui, with which he Was well acquainted. 1 note the Examiner has part of a leader devoted to some remarks made by Mr O'Meara, M.H.8., on the police question. In case our local constable should feel aggrieved I hasten to say that Constable Williams is not tlio one alluded to by Mr O'Meara. The individual in question stood in an election meeting and allowed the most disgraceful and unseemly conduct to take place that it has ever been my lot to notice. Needless to add lie helped to increase instead of to quell the row.