WAIPAWA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3202, 3 October 1881, Page 3

WAIPAWA.

(PIIOM OTJB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) October 3.

I observe a letter in the local paper of Saturday, signed " One of the 'G.s and B.s '" (otherwise " Gropers and Basters "), wherein I am taken to task for certain reference made to the socalled society in my last letter. The correspondent in question is quite right in his surmise that I have not attended any of the meetings of the "G.s and B.'s." I do not hold myself cheap enough to associate in such gatherings, and for this reason beg to decline the kind invitation accorded me to be present at the next meeting. I very much doubt, however, that the meeting -will be held in the Bechabite Hall, as stated by this eminent brother. If so, I can only say that that meeting will be in strange contrast to others hitherto held, at which conviviality formed the chief attraction. It is far more likely that the members will assemble, as is their wont, in some convenient bar parlor. On condition, however, that the "G.s and B.s" refrain from again opening up this subject themeelves, it is not my intention to ask you to publish any further expose of their proceedings, so I bid them a " welcome I adoo." The Lydia Howarde Comic Opera and Burlesque Company intend giving a performance at Waipawa to-monow (Tuesday) evening. As it is some considerable time since a professional troupe visited this township, a good house may be anticipated. From the placards I learn that the company consists of nine wellknown artistes, whose names should be sufficient to ensure an excellent performance. The company play at the Town Hall, Waipukurau, this evening. Owing to the prevalence of scarlet fever at Waipukurau, the school committee at a meeting held on Friday evenIng hit, decided to close the public

school for a few weeks, on the recommendation of Dr. Reed, who reports several cases of fever in the township. Yesterday a daughter of Mr C. Grenside's succumbed to the disease, and two others of his children are also dangerously ill with the same complaint. It is I fervently hoped by all that the measures taken by the school committee will have the desired result of preventing any further spread of the epidemic. The walking match against time (to which I alluded in a former letter) took place on Friday evening last, and caused a great stir among a number of our townspeople. The course was from Baker's Empire Hotel. Waipawa, to Scrirageour's Railway Hotel, Kaikora, distance about four miles and a quarter, the pedestrians Messrs J. Anderson and N. Sosg, and the stakes £4. Betting at the start of the race was greatly in favor of Old Father Time, who, however, on this occasion, was beaten, the winning post being reached by the " walkists" within 1£ mm. of the time specified (50 mm.) after a most exciting and gallant struggle for victory. During the journey, while driving through "Corkscrew Gully," the referee's "shandan" was accidentally capsized, but, fortunately, without inflicting any injury on the passengers, the trap, however, suffering to the extent of a pair of shafts. It is the intention of the winners, I believe, to hand over the stakes to the County Hospital. Mr Alex. Jones, of Waipuku rau, is making great preparations for the forthcoming show at Hasting, He intends to exhibit a number of agricultural implements, at present he is busily engaged putting on the finishing touch. A speciality will be his ploughs, single, double, and treble furrow, a trial of one of the latter being made a few weeks ago with most satisfactory results to all concerned. I suppose our Waipawa tradespeople will not be behindhand in exhibits, although I have not, as yet, heard of any being prepared. However, as Messrs Shanly and Corskie and Robb have on previous occasions been very successful in winning prizes, I hardly think it likely that they; will allow this year's show to pass by without some display of their excellent workmanship. In the animal line, the Rev. Mr Eccles has a magnificent exhibit in a eon of Jav'lin. The colt is two years off, and judges say he his one of the finest-looking horses ever bred in the province, and the " dead picture" of his fashionably-bred sire. The Lawn Tennis Club held their first match at Waipawa on Saturday afternoon. As lam not acquainted with the mysteries of the game, I cannot gi?e particulars of play, but every one who took part appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly, one Waipukurau representative especially. After this lawn tennis is certain to be an institution among us.