ROUND AND ABOUT

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 February 1915, Page 2

ROUND AND ABOUT

TE HOBO. (By "Wanderer.") Since the cutting up of the Gear estate this place from a veritable wildness has becomo a thriving settlement with its stores, cheese factory, hall (second to none in the disrtict), tlireo churches, new villas 011 all sides; while tourists, more especially the ladies, will rejoice to learn that there are up-to-date tearooms hero. Some parts of the district are decidedly stony, yet many fine farms in a hight state of cultivation may be met with, those of the Lately Bros, and Mr Best being con-

spicuous. A line creamery is here and each morning streams of carts and vans are to be met with taking their milk Tor delivery. It is a pleasant sight to seo these vehicles trotting along, Itheir drivers cheerful and jolly, and when at the factory the courteous manager, Mr Thompson, may oft be iieard singing "It's a long, long way to Tipperary," the chorus being taken up by the drivers, most of whom had been practising 011 their "cow pianos" from an early hour. Mr Lethbridge nas made considerable improvement 011 his

property here. We now get a view ol the new ml up-to-date Hautere Rifle Club range. This is considered the premier club ol this district. Mr George Cately is the president, while Mr G. Glackin is the genial secretary. Turning again 011 the Otaki road (the Gorge will be the subject of another article), Mr Wildsmith's new place —"Shramrock Lodge," is reached. The owner certainly has done wonders with his farm here since he took it over. His potato crop, as usual, is marvellous. Mr H. Bockett has turned "Ohui," which was a veritable boulder mine, into a fertile farm, on which MlO stocK look remarkably well. Mi- Bockett. is a believer in hard work. VI r Par rant's dairy farm will repay a visit. Next, what was the Pitkolio estate > reached. Fruit-growing is being :il.ipted here. Messrs Oliphant -m'! Co. who have bought a large slice of the estate, have it already planted, with young fruit trees. While wishing them every success in their venture, I have grave doubts as to the result •Several good dairy farms have been secured from this property.

Major Addington's bungalow is now reached. It is cosily situated and looks well from the main road. "Pukeho" homestead is in the distance, where reside Mr and Mrs J. F. Ryder and family. Mr Ryder is the owner of Kakaj-iki station. H. 8., where both himself and Mrs Ryder were much esteemed for their kindly and hospitable disposition. They will be an acquisition to Otaki.

The "bridge, or rather the one for traffic—for there are two, one the railway—is next arrived at. The architect of this piece of work certainly did not allow for much vehicular traffic, as two tvaps cannot pass on the bridge. It is too narrow, and often delays one a considerable time at one end to allow others t-o pass.

OTAKI.

Once across the Row motor garage 's arrived at, and the genial Mr Row bids me welcome. The Otaki railway station, at one period, was thought would draw all the trade from the town proper but the high rents ol the few buildings and a fire spoiled the enterprise. ■Otaki is one of if the not the oldest f&wnship in the North Island, and is

about the most backward. There seems to be a. want of enterprise and go-aheadness which is very marked. The new Town Hoard may improve matters. In some of the streets—what a misnomer!—grass grown and unkept, are a disgrace to any township. There are a few fine buildings (new), the "Mail" office, Bright's Theatre, vVilliams' furniture mart, and the picture hall (nearly finished, are all worth mentioning.

I had heard about a "park." in the township. Instead, 10, aiifi behold' Xext to Bright's Theatre abutting the main-street, is a Chinaman's garden. The hospital grounds and buildings are still well kept and cared for. The tennis courts and bowling green have few equals. There is also a public library which might easily be implored. Hie old Maori Church is one of the "lions" of the place.

The old bone-shakers that'll generally by a pair of spavined noises, which use<l to meet the mails tor the conveyance of passengers mid mails have now disappeared and are replaced, by an inp-to-date motor bus by and made to the order of Mr Archie Smith.

lhe new racecourse is certainly a credit, owing to the indefatigable energies of the popular secretary, Mr O. D'Ath.

The climate of Otaki is mild, and some very fine gardens and orchards surround it. Amongst the private gardens those of Messrs Ponn, B. Brown, l'\ .J. Ryder will well replay a visit, while the ladie.s, whom I should have mentioned first, who take a pride in their floral surroundings are Mesdames O. D'Ath, Bright, Gordon and Nioolson. The beach at Otaki is largely patronised ; is. indeed, the boulevard of the place. Hantere and Waihonga will be wandered into next.