STRATFORD AND NGAIRE,

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8868, 29 August 1890, Page 2

STRATFORD AND NGAIRE,

[from oue own correspondent.] August 27.— The success of the annual assembly, ball at Ngaire on Wednesday last, shows that the good people of the district are still able to maintain the supremacy they have held bo long, in the way of getting up entertainments. The hall was decorated in a style never before attempted, and was gay and dazzlingly beautiful with bright coloured flags, ferns, and flowers of all obtainable varieties, and brilliantly illuminated by innumerable lamps. As usual there were a number of visitors from distant places, and although the stage had been taken up for tbt occasion, the hall was quite crowded. The dresses were o.f the most charming description, in fact it would appear as if each lady had been trying to outdo the other, in order to claim the honor of being the belle on the occasion. I must confess' that where all looked so bewitchingly lovely, it would have been a task utterly beyond my powers to have made a selection, and as I gazed on the lithe graceful forms of the firir beings, whose cheeks were tinged with the bloom of the forest, and whose eyes were sparkling and radieant with sense I could only marvel that such an insensible and obdurate being as a bachelor could be found in Ngaire, as it appeared impossible that anyone could exist of sufficient adamantine hardness and indifferent to the charms and attractions of female loveliness, as to refrain from plucking one of the fair flowers in this garden of beauty, and I could only regret that I could not myself legally emulate the matrimonial achievements of King Solomon, and pluck them all. The ladies had kindly attended to the catering, and had surpassed all their previous efforts in this direction. The music was as usual by Messrs Leech and Sons, without whose service no dance would now be considered perfect. In conclusion, the committee deserve the greatest credit for carrying through the entertainment in such a creditable manner, and Messrs Bothune and Anlen, who, I understand, did the lion's share of the work, are deserving of a special word of praise. Dairy meetings have been all the go the last few weeks, several having been held both at Stratford and Ngaire. lam afraid the Stratford people are blind to their own interests in not taking more energetic steps to tecure the ofEer of Mr J. C. George in regard to the erection of a factory, and if they are not careful they will find the Ngairo people forestalling them, and then, wbon too late, they will be gnashing and wailing their teem. ■ There is rather a grim joke going about in regard to the decease of Mr Kent, of Nguire. It appears that Sergeant Biasett wuß up on the previous day delivering accounts to various persons upon whom tlw CiwitaWt Aid Board had a oliim. and

in the course of the day waited upon Mr Kent with ai account for £35. He found the deceased apparently strong and able to enter into a long conversation, although evidently greatly put out and concerned at the claim made against him. On the following morning, however, the Sergeant was astonished to hear that Mr Kent was dead, and it is now going the rounds that the worthy Sergeant must have frightened him to death. A Literary Society has been formed in Stratford, and, judging by the success of last evening's meeting, and tho large number of members enro"ed, including over a dozen ladies, the undertaking should prove a great success, as well as a means of developing the large amount of latent talent now lying idle for want of means to bring it out.