ROSS NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1917, Page 4

ROSS NEWS.

PATRIOTIC DAY. (Our Own Correspondent.) The untiring efforts of the Committee were amply rewarded by a crowded attendance at the State School on Wednesday. .Many visitors and many former residents of the “ city of tailings ” had another \ ook at the “ honnie toun ” where bright and sunny hours of their former lives had bean spent amidst the happiest conditions.

The event of the day was the distribution of the prize packets or surprise packets,” The woolly lamb went to a. well known Hokitika lady who was born in Ross. The big “kebbeck” (Scolch for cheese) went to a big hearted man in C reymonth. The only pity of it is that “ Ted’s ” purse is not as big as his heart. The “ kist o’ whistles” goes to a lady 'in South Westland. The sewing machine stays in Ross. Most of the larger prizes v ent either north or south. Owing to the scarcity of male workers the promised sports had to go bj the board, all hands being too busy after the nimble shilling, and to some merry tune were they kepi moving as the day’s results comes out on the right side of £IOO. Tliis is indeed, as the Mayor put it at the social, “ a highly gratifying return for a handful of people.” He might have added, “willing and patriotic people.’’ The social was also a highly enjoyable affair, being what we have often termed a sociable social, not an iceberg social. Songs were given by Misses Lockhart, Evans and Woolhouse, and were tvell rendered and equally appreciated. The music was supplied, “gratis” by Mrs Wickes, Misses Roberts and others. If anyone has been left out of this report just sing the first, second and last verses of Cod Save the King.

The Mikonni bridge is going up right merrily. Mr Stuart informed me (aud mind lie is not all Irish) that he had forded the-Jlikonni river that day without getting wet. in other words he had crossed the river on the piers of the new bridge, as the contractors have just reached the south side with the twelfth pier. This being so it is safe to remark that this much desired structure will probably be handed to the County authorities by the end of June, which can be reverently said to be “a God send ” to the southern people in igeneral and the travelling public in particular. What about Evans Creek bridge and then the motor service to Hari Hari. “eh what ?”