Fifty Years Ago Today

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 6

Fifty Years Ago Today

(From The Southland Times) APRIL 24, 1887 The Road Grader.— Of this machine The Tapanui Courier remarks:—“Nothing is more common when traversing the country roads than to see men employed ‘fiddling’ away with a shovel, and practically doing nothing whatever; whereas if the roads were once graded the machine could be run along the rut once or twice a year, and instead of crab-hole tracks that are dangerous to ride over, we would have splendid level roads. We have repeatedly pointed out that for one shilling per chain the grader will make most of the roads in the district.” Waikawa.—Our correspondent reports that industries in this isolated district are not in a prosperous condition generally, Mr Jack’s saw mill being still idle and the new stone quarry doing very little. The s.s. Kakanui occasionally visits the port to ship the produce of Thomson and Company’s saw mill, which is now working. The contractors for road making in the district are making good progress with their work, despite very rough and wet weather. A concert and ball were provided for the residents recently by Mr W. Edwards, the occasion being the celebration of his birthday. The efforts made to render the affair enjoyable were very successful and a larger number accepted Mr Edwards’s hospitality. The place of meeting was nicely decorated. The ladies turned out tastefully dressed and a pleasant night was spent in mirth and song. On breaking up at 6 a.m., the company acknowledged Mr Edwards’s kindness by hearty cheers. “The Potato is Cooked.”— The New Plymouth correspondent of The Lyttelton Times states that since his return from his last period of captivity Te White has declined to give audience to any Europeans, either officials or private people, and several parties of visitors to Taranaki who proceeded to Parihaka specially to interview the Maori prophet have had the privilege denied them. It is said that Te White is mortified und humiliated by the utter collapse of his policy, and in reply to requests from his people that he should address them on the matter, he states that his pipe is out and there can consequently be no smoke.