A Walk Bound Feilding

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 42, 24 September 1892, Page 2

A Walk Bound Feilding

» A peep at a place now and then givei one an opportunity of judging how the town is advancing, or otherwise. Cer tainly a wet and cloudy day is not a good one for a walk round Feilding, as the roads in too many places are not provided with respectable side walks, of course yot can go. on to the edge of the road and walk on a sort of sheep run, but it is noi nice. I was surprised to see the altered condition of Manchester and other streets, The place is being very quickly covered by buildings, enterprising cabinetmakers evidently taking the lead. At the upper end of the road I was puzzled as to the large building with much writing on it ; what it could be ; was it opened ot closed ? As I saw the workmen busy with repairs to the verandah, I had the curiosity to peep through the whitewashed windows and then discovered it was a perfect hive of working bees, only there was a king bee buzzing about instead of a queen. Making my way back I came once more to the corner store with the little door. How was it that the architect made the doorway at the angle so small ? However, it was large enough for me to look through, and feel that business was being done on a large scale, all busy and employed in various ways. It was quite refreshing to see the goods in the window looking fresh and free from dust. Shopkeepers out in the colonies are not half up to the mark as to keeping their shop window displays bright, clean, and tasty. They fill up a window as if they were opening a packing case and shot the whole lot in at once and so finished it quickly. There are so many members of the firm " slap it up, that will do, let it go " and company, that they all get into the same way. So you can imagine how delighted I felt to see bright window displays at the corner. Then what a change from those two wretched barns to see an imposing hotel in their places so nicely fitted up with everything in the modern style. The cuisine of the highest class and the private rooms affording all the luxuries of the refined home. I certainly am very much surprised to see so many livery and bait stables. They seem out of all proportion to the town. But, oh horror, what did I see on the village green, a veritable Whitechapel shooting gallery and a tin soldier. How they got there was a puzzle to me and I dare say to many of the townsfolks. Is it true that the Council are taking toll for the show, because their finances aro so low or is to encourage the local volunteers to practice shooting ? The little trees inside the strong timber guards seem to be struggling to keep alive. I suppose they do get a little sun and air through the mass of timber which protects them. I should^ have liked to haye seen a little more life and anima - tion, but I think that the town is like Jo, "moving on." I must leave the other side of the square for a future visit. A Passeb-by.