TOLAGO.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 386, 10 April 1902, Page 3

TOLAGO.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) I The summary on the East Coast trin from the pen of your able corresponds was anxiously awaited, and needless to r mark, how wistful eyes speedily conveyt its permeated eulogy to the expectai and nervous cords of our modest subject Montus compus, but how cgotisticall persuaded were they into assumption an imagination. I venture to say that shoul your scribe again como along good thing in abundance will await him, and wo betide the individual who shall so offcn that ruling. The writer peeping into th all absorbant subject views it in a down right cosmopolitan style, and then con eiders it a breach of etiquette to com uaent too freely upon social an< personal affairs, but, dear friends, let u: right here and for the present aliov ■ tennis, cricketing, polo, and rninoi amuse ments to wane into their proper time anc place—Sundays ; well, yes, such it is, bul I cannot advocate it. Surely sufficient time could be negotiated in the week days. It occurs most strikingly to the writer that churches and other places of worship are not really requisite in our division, hence the reason of such rare visits from our spiritual advisers—no attendance, little encouragement. If a little time—say, even during the evening—was devoted towards some useful work, doubtless the possibilities of our district would be in near sight. That a great deal of assiduous work requires to be done is unquestionable, and unless quickly taken in hand by our village fathers (not forgetting that our hon. member should also be awakened from his slumbers) the prospects of Tolago’s leaps and bounds are indeed very remote. The many compliments bestowed upon you and your environments were highly appreciated, and why not accept the more serious portion of duty and endeavor to make progress and see also that our wants are at least partially supplied. With these few remarks I shall pass on to matters of other concern, and like Micawber patiently await the display of local practical exertions.

I regret to chronicle the demise on the sth inst. of one of our old and respected Maori identities, in the person of Tuihare Pomare, after a prolonged term of prostrated illness. The customary obsequies over, his remains were conveyed next day to the necropolis for interment, preceded and followed most erraticallly by a small number of mourners. Noticeable en route were several who appeared to treat indifferently the object of their last solemn and filial duty. The Burial Service was conducted very pathetically by the Rev. Butene Te Aihu, whose sermon had a marked effect on those present. I sincerely hope that in future those dedicated rites will be more closely observed amongst the native juvenile division for their departed fellow creatures. V

The few fine days of the past fortnight have been taken advanrage of' by our potato diggers, but old Jupiter Pluvius has been greatly denouuced for his persistency in pouring down indiscriminately, and thus seriously affecting the crops. Station work has also been impeded, and what with many attractions, horseracing, huis, etc., business matters have felt somewhat indisposed. Quite a number of Mormon elders and brothers of Che persuasion figuring on bicycles and horseback passed through here last week en route to Tokomaru to take part in a conference, and further the mission by their ever valued labors, etc. The above meeting terminated on Sunday, but news is not yet to hand of the result.