WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143672, 16 December 1911, Page 3

WAITARA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Dec. 13.—Tho Waitara Municipal Brass Band, which bid lair some little time back to become a strong musical organisation, has through various causes, principally the loss of members, been in a somewhat languishing condition of late. The first serious loss was tho departure of its- former bandmaster (Mr. T. B. M‘Conneil) to Hawera. This, with other defections, has caused the position to be not altogether brilliant. As it was generally felt that it would be a pity to allow the band to drop out of existence, a meeting was held in the band room on Tuesday evening. In addition to bandsmen there were several outsiders representing tho general public. t Mr. J. H. Kibby was in the chair, and submitted a statement to the meeting which disclosed that the total liabilities of the band amounted to £224 16s, of which £7O was for band instruments, and £l5O for uniforms. The assets were valued at £375, instruments being set down as worth £2lO, while the sum of £2O was owing for subscriptions. In the face of the liability, the opinion was expressed that the band must be kept going, as the indebtedness must be met. Those present, to the number of twelve, stated their intention of doing their level West to keep the organisation going, and it was further resolved that Mr. Bczzant be appointed conductor at a salary of £3O per annum. A deputation consisting of Messrs. Bezzant and Cudby was appointed to wait on old members with the object of inducing them to rejoin, and also tilesecuring of young players. Practices arc intended to be held regularly, and the band will play out on Christmas Eve, besides giving the time-honoured carols on Christmas morning. It is to be hoped that the movement to resuscitate tho band will meet with the success it deserves, for a good band is an asset to any town, even though the asset in question may not bh measured by pounds, shillings and pence. Mr. Harry Saurdle was called away to Feikling’ on’ Tuesday morning on account of tho serious illness of his mother. A very old resident of Urenui, in the person of Mr. Edward Bishop, met his death from a paralytic seizure in tho New Plymouth Hospital on Sunday. The deceased was on his way home from Waitara on Friday, when he fell from his cart on the Manakorilii hill in a fit, and was conveyed to the hospital, where he lingered till Sunday. The funeral took place on Tuesday. One of the coming events which denote that Christmas is fast approaching is the school concert which takes place on Monday evening. This function can always be relied upon to draw a big house. The promoters would do well to cut the programme a bit shorter than it wns last year. It is much better to send an audience away ‘‘wanting more” than to surfeit them. The Coronation Durbar recently held in India is a striking proof, that a minority rule is possible. Considering the teeming millions of natives of various castes and faiths which constitute the population of that land of mystery, and the comparatively small British garrison, it has often been a cause for great wonder amongst tile Continental nations that England has been able to hold the position as she has done. It is certain that no other nation could have handled au alien race with such happy results. The verandah at the Waitara railway station is just about completed. It 'is a convenience that has been badly wanted for many years, and will prove a great boon, on' wet days, particularly to ladies and children, besides removing the bare appearance of the station platform. I ran against- an old resident of Waitara the other day down the line. On learning I hailed from this town, he became very communicative. Told mo he used to live in Waitara over twenty years ago. Had not been in the town for some time now. In fact, he said Waitara now was got the place it used to be in his time. No fun now at all. Several of his boon companions of long ago had so changed since he last saw them that lie hardly recognised them. The fact wns advancing years and prosperity had made them too respectable. ‘‘When I think of the races we used to hare on the beach on Sunday afternoons between -the Maori girls, with playing r the accordeon for all he was worth, it makes me chuckle. Last time I saw I asked him if he remembered/ it all, and -would you believe me— said he didn’t think he could call it to mind, and wanted To change the conversation. That’ll show yen what respectability will do for a man,'’ said my friend. "Even the Maoris have changed. In my time they were unspoiled, but now they are too cute; a man has no chance of making anything out of them in a little deal.” Talking of Maoris, I was asked if I had ever heard of old black Joe. I said I had heard there was such an individual. “ Individual,” said old resident. "Why, ho was a regular character. He used to act as Waitarn’s Poo Bah in my time. One peculiarity of Joe’s was that he would stop, work’ on the slightest provocation, in order to have a yarn. While engaged in working on the roads one day. some of the local wags invited him into one of tlie pubs to nave a beer, and while he was inside quenching his thirst, one of them slipped out and smeared tho handle (a long one) witn cowage. When Joe came out he resumed his shovelling, until some other wag by design engaged him in conversation, with the result that, loaning his chin, which sported a short stubbly beard, upon the end of the handle, the cowage soon began to "work,” and anyone who knows the madly irritating properties of that article, will not be surprised to learn that the fun soon grew fast and furious, in fact too much so for the perpetrators, who laid low for some time afterwards. Another character was Kepa, a Native, now, X believe, residing at Picton He was asleep in the old billiard room next to the Masonic Hotel, when someone put some cowage on his back. The result was that Kepa ran amok for a time, and everyone had to clear out. This same Kepa had a very curious habit of regularly committing suicide when drunk. Ho would cross tho bridge, walk down the slope at the side, with the remark “ Here goes poor Kepa,” would actually walk right into the shallow water, which presumably sobered him, for ho always walked out again, and went home. In tho old days there you used to be some fun on’rent days, I can tell you. and as most of it was spent in waipiro, and the Maori woman used to be served with drink in the hotels then, you can imagine there were some exciting scones at times. Many a big tangi have tho Maoris celebrated rpund Waitara in my time. The biggest I remember was when Wi wife died at Manakorilii. It lasted for some time and a very big crowd was present. Mr. Parnta senior, who was a member of the House at the time, was present, and he made a most impressive speech, both in English and Maori, on the day of tho funeral'. Mr. other celebrity well remembered by tho old hands, was old Maori Kattt She .was alivo in my time. Used to livOj

alone in a whare near tie flagstaff, ■with no company but a big pack or dogs. She was mijced up in some way with the start of the war in Waitara. Then there was mine host of the Bridge Hotel. He is still alive and hearty, too, I’m told. He was, a great character in his way. Ksept a big waddy hanging up in the bar, and as soon as the Maoris got drunk he would grab his waddy and crack at all and sundry until the place was ole; red. Another well-known boniface was Mick Cunningham, of tho Waitara Hotel. Mick had passed through an adventurous career. Before coming to Hew Zealand he enlisted in one uf the legions formed in Ireland to fight for Pius tho Ninth against Garribaldi. Mick was a great speculator, and an adept at cards. Although only possessing one arm (the left), he could shuffle and deal the cards as smartly as any other man with two. He is now dead many years. Twenty years or so ago the pakeha and Maoris fraternised greatly, with the result that in due course, when a bit “shicker,” free fights would result. Remember once the constable attempting to. arrest a drunken Mairo woman, and trying to get her into a trap, when Mr. Gilbert, of the White Cliffs (now deceased), went to the constable’s assistance, and a very rough time they both had, Mr. Gilbert, who wore a beard, having quite a handful of it dragged out by one virago. The trap mentioned above belonged to old Jack Ormond, who carried the mails from the trains to the Waitara Post Office for many years. He was also a bit of a character in his way, and as much an institution as the town clock. When X lived in Waitara I knew everybody. When I was there a year or so back, I saw nothing but strangers, and somebody addressed me as dud. Ah I that new blood. It may bo all right for- a town, and make it progress, but I’ll bet it won’t make ’em any happier, and I’ll bet you don’t have the times in Waitara to-day like I had. I’-ve often thought I’d write a book on my Waitara experiences, but I’m afraid that to make it interesting would also make it libellous, po-'th.o only chance I have to blossom "forth as an author is hipped in the bud.” At this juncture my train put in an appearance, and I had to bid farewell to my accidental acquaintance, having gleaned these reminiscences, which may perhaps interest some of the older hands.