OMATA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8829, 12 July 1890, Page 2

OMATA.

[from a correspondent.] a very pleasant evening was spent here, on Friday thejllth inst, the occasion being a plain and fancy dress ball. The following are some of the character taken :—: — Miss K. Harrison, Jack Tar j Miss Jury Waitress ; Missejs Jury, Gleaners ; Miss M. Jury, Flower Girl ; Miss K. Oliver, Ladies' Maid; Mr F. Bishop, Chevalier; Mr F. Harrison, Sailor ; Mr S. Jury, Sailor ; Mr King, Doctor of Divinity; Mr W Loveridge, Cricketer ; Mr H. Rusden, Jockey ; and Mr A. Harrison, Volunteer. Many others were in evening dress. Dancing waa interspersed with some very good songs, and at twelve o'clock a]', sat down to an excellent supper, after which dancing was again resumed, and kept up with great spirit till an early hOnr.

At a certain road corner up the valley the observant traveller may notice a solitary gum tree on a lonely moand. Some years ago the conspicuous railing round this freshly planted tree had, to coin a new adjective, a very ceraeterial effect. It is convenient on a now place to have names for various spots as soon as possible, and this became known as tho " Tomb." The following conversation between a somewhat lazy new chum cadet and his boss is said to have been overheard at tbiß spot: —" Why do you call that tree the 'Silent Tomb ?'" " Because we buried a cadet there once." " Really ! how —what did he' die of?" "Didn't die. He refused to work, so —-hit him on the head with a spade, and we planted that gum tree on' top of him." " And why is that tree quite a different color from all the smaller ones about ?" " Oh, it was blue gum the same as the rest for some time, but when its roots got down to Johnson it could not help itße.'*—it had to grow green." Oadet was awestruck, turned pale, meditated a moment, and has woiked like a trooper ever since.