WAIPAWA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3062, 20 April 1881, Page 2

WAIPAWA.

(from oxje own corhespondent). April 20, 1881. Easter passed over very quietly in this v district, in fact, bad it not been for the closed stores and deserted appearance of Waipawa, one could scarcely realise that the festive season was upon us at all. The Friendly Societies' fete at Waipukurau, on Easter Monday, under the auspices of the Oddfellows , and Foreetere , Societies, was a decided success, and re* fleeted the highest credit oh the promoters. Everything was prepared and carried out in a manner deserving of the eulogy of all those who attended the gathering. Proceedings commenced at 5 p.m., when a capital tea, with suitable accompaniments, was served by about a dozen ladies, who presided over as many tables. On a rough calculation I should say there could not have been less than 140 to 150 persons present, including children, of which latter denomination there was a fair sprinkling. After tea, the chair was taken by Mr W. 0. Smith, an Oddfellow, who delivered a short and appropriate address on the object and uses of friendly societies. This waa followed by a song, given by Mr Hartley in very fair style. Mr Wilding then made" a few remarks on Forestry, and, going i into figures, showed that the Society was strong, not only in numbers, but In finances, having at the end of the laat yearly term funds to the amount of two millions nine thousand pounds odd. The local Court, which had onlybeen opened two years since, was also" represented as being in a most prosperous* state, and as possessing a decent credit balance in the bank. Mr Collett, a member of the Waipawa Oddfellows' Lodge,; also gave an address on Oddfellowehip, the principles of which he explained m brief, but the time at his disposal being limited the speaker did not descend to figures. Both speakers were loudly applauded. Songs having been sung by Messrs Wilding, Tattersball, and Wilson, and the usual votes of thanks disposed of, the chairman declared the tea-meeting at an end, and the company separated. Dancing commenced about 8.30, when the floor was well filled by lovers of the light fantastic, wbo kept up their enjoyment, till early morning. I had almost forgot to mention the decorations, which were really fine, and showed excellent taste on the part of the stewards and secretary, Messrs Stewart, Tattershall, Baddely, Butler, Hartley, and Monteitb. A boy named Kennedy was arrested tjySergeatit Eidd at the Waipawa Bush to-day on a charge of setting fire to a house, the property of Mr Hameling, Richmond Park. The house I should say, is one owned by Mr Hameling in the bush, and is occupied by a tenant, who luckily discovered the attempted arson ere it was too late, and extinguished the flames, which by that time were getting a good hold on the floor of the — building. I have heard no cause assigned * for the malicious action as yet, but clearly enough it was never done in sport, as the nature of the attempt shows. Our local Road Board met to-night, when amongst other busineas it was decided to proceed with repairs, &c, to Rose street at once as per modified plan submitted to the meeting. It was also decided to open out Waverley street to the main road according to the levels surveyed by Mr Turley some years ago. Both the above works are most necessary ones, and I am glad to see that the Road Board is growing alive to the fact. I hope, however, that the works will in reality be carried out, as I sometimes notice with public bodies a tendency to forget good intentions. No personalities, remember. Ob, dear no ! Easter Sunday morning the yen. Archdeacon Williams preached at St. Peters, where there was a good attendance. The singing was better than usual, but I was disappointed in the Archdeacon. His sermon was scarcely suitable for a country congregation, and lacked force in the delivery. It looks bad perhaps coming direct after church matters, but I must cram it in somewhere, and why not " right here." Down street on Saturday night one Mr P., a big fellow about six feet one inch, and muscular-looking (trast not to appearances, however), undertook to chastise a Mr W. with whom he had been warmly debating some burning question, and after much persuasion induced the latter party to prepare for a Btand-up fight. Judge of his surprise, therefore, when after all his trouble he was only recompensed by receiving a sound drubbing at the hands of Mr W. Our friend P. very soon discovered (and frankly acknowledged) bis little error, and, as he walked off with a knob on his head like a coffee-cup, he was heard to remark that people do make fools of themselves occasionally. To-morrow (Wednesday) night at 7.30 the public library subscribers' adjourned meeting takes place in the Eechabite Hall, when I think those much vexed questions touching the rate of subscription, and the election of officers, will be put through, such, at all events is the earnest wish of "your own." The Waipawa Town Cricket Club, not satisfied with past defeats, intend facing the County Club again at Waipukurau on Friday, 22nd instant. By way of variety I trust they will score a victory on the coming occasion. No rain yet worth a cent, and the country still looking miserable.