POUND AND ABOUT

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 February 1915, Page 2

POUND AND ABOUT

* ■ (Xu. 2.-JK PARAPAuHruU. Rel'ore turning my back on the ho/ne of the rosebuds I might just draw attention to the necessity of a new Post Office in Paraparammu. The present one. in a store, is quite inadequate to the requirements of the place. There is a very large amount of mail matter passing through, besides there is a want of privacy for business men and others who require the telephone in a store. and a small one at that. We have now a good active member who will look after the interests of the district, so it is to be hoped that ere long Paraparauinu will have its post office. 1 now approach Mr Fellows' up-to-'late orchard on one side and Mr Wieuian's on the other. Here also are tea-rooms, a necessary adjunct to a week-end holiday resort. Mr Brandt's •osy little homo, hidden in a well-kept -rehard. demands attention, and certainly the luscious fruit is very tempting. Lindale. the beautiful home of Mr Hadfield, surrounded by paddocks 'n which may be seen fine flocks of sheep i'rom the celebrated Hadfield strain, iow carefully tended by the McLean '?ros.. is soon passed and now a fine stretch of country lies before one. the oroperty of Mr W. H. Field, M.P., on vbicli also is this gentleman's country esidence. The farm is under the sup■MTisian of Mr Moody and speaks well |T or the management of that gentleuan. if appearance goes for auhgt. Mr Elder's gate is now in sight, and here is Mi- Austin, his cattle manager, with a fine drove of prime bul'ocks en route for the sale yard. Here is also seen a creamery which

'' ':o .judge from the number of >milk oarts t vith cans of milk going to it. must be ■' vorking at high pressure. Over the bridge, no ferocious-looking Territorial on guard here now, as at 11 "he commencement of the war, bnt 'here are a fine lot of senior cadets "n ' 'lie dist i-ict ready to assemble at the 11 'niglc call. Amongst their number I

MijiH- i-ini. iiiuuiißsi Dneii - numner j »i'.rht mention Senior Oadct W. Donos an. of .'H Company, who won the cup t '-ud medal for shooting, presentee* by * General Hamilton when that distinguished soldier inspected the cadets. WATKANAE. Onward again, and the township of Waikaii'io is reached. At Mahara,- - ■louse tlio wants of the weary "travelVd will be safe in the hands of Mrs 1 Villiams. proprietress. A church, a cemetery, two stores, lie usual blacksmith's shop, a post 'iTice and the township is summed up. • "Vaikanae is of the standstill order. Vo public hall, etc. A lethargic air irevades the place. T fear a honeymoon couple would soon tire of the lonesomeness. The public school.' however, is a redeeming spot, and well worthy of a visit. The courteous headmaster is certainly a lover of flowers and rhe school grounds are tastefully laid jut - and bright with blooms, reflecting the I highest credit on Mr Duncan's horticultural knowledge. The stud farm stands out in bold relief and is a pleasing foreground, with its verdant paddocks, against the bare and brown-looking hill country which backs it up. It is a pretty sight m see the dames with their foals at foot in the various paddocks, grazing 'inietly, while the youngsters gambol about. Having looked over the osalilishtnont one needs to wonder io longer at "Mr Martin's" success at l he late Wellington meeting and other racecourses. I Proceeding onward the busy flax mills of Mr Hrown come into view, ii groat area of flax was destroyed not ong since owing to a fire running through the swamp, yet there appeared to bo abundance of fibre left lo keep the mill in full swing. What was a short time since the Gear ICstate. now cut up. into numerous dairy and other farms, all wearing n cheerful and pros]>erous appearance, 's now reached, and owing to the bad state of the roads through the weather conditions and motor traffic. I ntn not sorry w\n-n Te Horo is reached. (To bo continued).