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Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 31, 1 August 1911, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR. SIR, —The benefit entertainment being provided on Wednesday next, on behalf of the Public Library by the Black Diamend Minstrels will, I trust, result in a bumper house, as the receipts from this concert carry a Government subsidy. This public institution is sadly in want of funds and the way to show appreciation of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s efforts on behalf of this worthy object is to give them a full house, and make the Library a credit to Te Awamutu. —I am, etc., G. H. White.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir —Writers to editors are seldom so sophisticated and illadvised as “ Charlie.” He should be more guarded in his speech. Let me recall to “ Charlie’s” memory the old adage, “A man is known by the company he keeps.” His diction and his own admission that he associates with “ fool cusses” show the company he keeps. Judging from the names of his friends and his knowledge of walking backwards, forwards, and sideways, and his letter generally, he must have been “ ter’ble mixed ” when he wrote. “ Charlie” is as bad as the Board. They make bylaws and do not enforce them. Now “ Charlie” says, “ Mind your own business,” and yet writes to know what I have to do with the chairman, thereby not minding his (Charlie’s), thus not practising what he preaches. Poor “ Charlie,” he is vox et praeterea nihil. If any member of the Board rides a bicycle on the footpaths, he will not care one iota about the roads, especially if he does not own a horse.

“Charlie ” is refreshingly candid when he states his “fool cuss” friend pitied his denseness and left him. To be pitied by a fool! Oh, “ Charlie !” The climax is reached when he says the roads require something hard, implying that the heads of the Board are soft. His own head would be excellent for assisting those of the Road Board for the purpose hinted at last week, only, I’m afraid, all vehicles passing over it would cause such a hollow sound to emanate from it that it would frighten the horses drawing them. —I am, etc.,

Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum.

(TO THE EDITOR.) SIR —A few years ago, when dining at a London restaurant, I picked up a torn envelope with this inscription in the corner: “ Te Awamutu, the garden of the Waikato!” That decided the question at once, for I had been hesitating between Canada and New Zealand. I had travelled a good deal, so I was not surprised to find Te Awamutu just a little township with badly-kept streets, and no system of lighting or drainage. I just smiled at the puff of the optimistic person, who could set forth imaginary attractions so effectively; and then continued my travels. Not a word had I heard of the Garden of the Waikato from then until last week, when I found myself here again. Arriving at midnight, cold and tired, I was agreeably surprised to find several coaches and motor-cars ready for the weary traveller. The station was brilliantly lit up, a big fire burning in the waiting-room, and the refreshment-room open. Passing up Alexandra Street, I was amazed. Midnight though it was I could see the broad, wellmetalled road, and big buildings on each side of it. I remembered my last visit, and felt sure Aladdin had been around with his celebrated lamp. A closer inspection next morning caused me to reflect. This was what the person gifted with clearer vision saw When he described Te Awamutu as the “ Garden of the Waikato,” and I had no eyes to see it then. Broad streets with wellgrown trees forming an avenue, stretched at right angles to the main thoroughfare. Along these shady streets I saw many fine villas set back in a frame of green lawn, or a blaze of colour from the trim flower gardens; also several handsome buildings of greater pretentions. Over the river was a fine bridge of white stone which came from the almost limitless quarries atTe Kuiti. A marble drinking fountain stood in a leafy bower close to the Post Office. The Post Office, too, was not the rose-covered summerhouse it used to be, but a fine new brick building of the Gothic style of architecture. In the forenoon we went up to see the opening of the new school, and I shall

never forget the unfeigned interest the young people took in the proceedings. Imagine five hundred bright eager faces ready to instantly respond to the word of command ! They sang and went through various drill exercises, and did it well too; so well that I instantly offered five guVyeas as a prize for the boy who could jump the highest, and the same for the girls too, only I could not decide whether it should be for skipping or sewing, so they tried both. The cakes and sandwiches disappeared like magic, so did the hundred-weight of lollies so generously given by the young men. In the evening we went to the citizens’ banquet. I did not quite like leaving the warm fireside on such a cold night, but the streets were so light with the newly installed electric system, that I really had to see how this prosperous town took its pleasures. Not sadly you may be sure ! The mayor, and all the borough councillors were there as well as all the public officials and the leading citizens. It was a most imposing function! I heard that quite 200,000 gallons of butter-fat and 500,000 eggs were sent out of this district annually, to say nothing of cattle and timber. Also there was undoubtedly a big coal seam from Te Puhi to Wh.itomo, and it was waispered that gold had been found on Maungatautari. There were several very talented orators among the young men, and I found that without exception they were members of the debating class of the Young Men’s Institute. This society may well be proud of its members, for, from an oratorical point of view, they are quite equal to the leading men in London. * 1 was in such an exalted frame of mind after this day of glorious surprises that I was not prepared for those awful posts at Jackson’s hotel. They gave me a great shock; in fact, I knew nothing more for three weeks. Concussion of the brain, they told me. That bump .cost the Borough Council £l5O ; and now Jackson’s balcony is a thing of beauty and safety with the new aerial suspension patent—l am, etc,, Wanderer.