WHANGAMOMONA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 290, 9 December 1901, Page 2

WHANGAMOMONA.

[From our own Correspondent.] Our roads being of such consequence to us, we regard the weathfr, chiefly as it affects the roads. These, since last March, have generally been such that no one would try to walk on them for pleasure. Recently a number of settlers hav* been levelling then, clearing out watertables, etc., and a harrow and roller have been taken over them, so now we may regard them as prepared for our brief summer. Past experience, however, prevents us from being too sanguine for a month yet. I hear nothing of the papa metalling this summer, though it was promised. The influenza, as it is called, was so long in reaching us this yestr, that we hoped to eseape, but the diminutive microbe demons have made a wholesale attack on the residents, prostrating most of thom. The school children all fell victims, and as the schoolmaster »160 succumbed, the school Was cloned for three weeks. I regret fco eay that as the school-children were just rallying, another epidemic, whose name I do not know, has attacked them. Its symptoms are violent coughing and vomiting. Strange to sty the epidemic having failed to overcome the factory manager, i refrained from troubling any of those who convoy milk to the factory. This' is fortuuato in a pecuniary senee, but in a moral s -nfe it is not so good, as the parties exempted have suffered from self conceit, a'tributing their escape to some latent merits of their own not obvious to others.

The school committee gave a ball some weeks ago. The at'endance was only moderate. Mr Muir's graphophone was present and its songs added much to the pleasure of the entertainment.

The bachelors gave their annual ball on the 22nd instant. It was well attends!, especially by the ladies. The annual school picnic and dance will probably take placa about the 20th December. The school committee, after a long struggle to procure funds, haa got the ground fenc d—,ifco.it 44 chains. There still remain the gates and the school site. Then there will be room for planting, etc. The sawmill was purchased some time ago by Messrs McOluggag* Brothers, and has been at work pratty constantly since. There is talk of it» again changing bands. Mr Newton Xing has erected commodious saleyards near the [dairy factory, and held his first sale on the 14th ult. There was a large attendance, but the fail in prices caused the bidding to be slack, and as the sellers have plenty of gras;, most of them preferred holdiDg on for a time. The settlers provided ample refreshments for all visitors.

Messrs McOluggage Bro3, are endeavouring to sell their various properties here, but nothing definite has bean done in the matter. Messrs McCutchan and Coxhead have commenced shearing. Mr William Nathan, who has been Boad Inspector here for many yeers, is goon to be transferred to Pahiatua. This is to him promotion, and while the residents cannot but congratulate him on his wtll-earned advancement, they all regret his departure. No stronger tnstimony to the merits of a public offioer coul i be given than this, showing appreciation both by employers and employees as well as by the general public.