33 YEARS AGO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5494, 30 October 1929, Page 4

33 YEARS AGO.

(From the “Ohinemuri Gazette” of October' 31, 1896.)

LEADER. The boom has certainly demoralised us. This time three years ago the whole and sole subject of interest was the County Council election. This subject is now entirely surpassed by inquiries as to the price of Mother Grundy Extended or Waitekauri Explodeds. There is little or no attention being paid to the burning local questions of the day, such as, for instance, drainage, water supply, and the formation of footpaths and roads iin the main townships of the shire. It is a serious matter, and let the ratepayers consider it as such. During the next fortnight they have the power to place such men upon the County Council as will carry out the behests of’the residents of this county or not. Let them choose the progressimists—those who are not willing to stop in the present ruck ; those who will support a big loan, the interest of which will be payable by those who will get the benefit of it, for the purposes of drainage, flushing and domestic water supply. LOCALS. Tenders are still called for the erection of a Roman Catholic Church at Karangahake. Messrs E. M. Corbett, H. McLennan, and H. P. Barry are the only names we have heard of as candidates for the Waitekauri riding.

Messrs G. N. McGruer and Carroll Nash, who for so long have served the Karangahake ratepayers, are again offering their services to the old constituency.

Mrs Bunyard and Mr Osmond Lorrigan will sing Swallow’s “Ave Maria” at the Catholic Church, Paeroa, tomorrow evening. This sacred selection has been much admired by all who have heard it.

Land valued in 1888 in Paeroa at 35s per acre, and to which objections were made as excessive, is now fetching £2BO per acre in small allotments. Holders of urban land are keeping a tight hold. A smoke concert was given last Tuesday evening in the Wharf Street Public Hall by the Paeroa Brass Band in honour o f the opening of the new band room at the rear of the County Chambers. Mr McVeagh was in the chair. A number of toasts were proposed during the evening, Mr Cassrels responding to that of the “County Council,” Mr de Castro for the “President, Vice-President, and Honorary Members,” and Mr Lonegan. to the “ Subscribers.” Songs were sung by S. C. Parker, T. H. Wilson, F. Griffiths, Wing, Simson, and Lornegan, and Mr McVeagh gave a recitation. Messrs S. C. Parker and Alf. Parker deserve great credit for the manner in which they worked up the concert, which was a great success. We learn that the results of the Self Denial Week services of the Salvation Army, just ended in Paeroa and Waihi, have been £43 10s, collected in aid of the work carried on by the Army. Captain Macaulay wishes to thank all those who so generously donated towards this fund.

Last Saturday a cow belonging to Mr J. W. Shaw gave birth to a calf that had six legs, the two extra ones growing from its side. The calf was dead, and the body was sold to some enterprising individual, who, we understand, took it to Auckland for the purpose of exhibiting it. We have been requested to state that the proceeds realised from the late fancy dress ball given by Mrs Brunskill and Miss M. Wight in the Lyceum Hall, after all expenses were paid, amounted to the sum of £2 14s. This sum has been deposited to the credit of the Ohinemuri hospital fund account in the Bank of New Zealand. A considerable stir was caused in Waitekauri on Monday evening last by the ringing of the Waitekauri Co.’s battery bell at 7.30 o’clock. The hoppers for receiving the burnt quartz were found to be on fire, but having such a heavy pressure of water, it was got under in a very short time, the battery only being stopped for about half an hour.

The Ruapehu ground, near Owharoa, comprising about 200 acres, has been taken by an influential London syndicate, who have provided a sum of £3OOO which is to be expended on testing the ground. If the results are satisfactory a large amount of capital will be forthcoming for developing and working the property. On Friday evening the bachelors of Waitekauri gave a plain and fancy dress ball in return for one given a short time ago by the ladies, and was the most successful affair yet held in Waitekauri. The various dresses and fancy costumes were too numerous to be given in full. The committee, Messrs Rowe, Pocock, Johnston, Simmonds, and Rogers, deserve credit for t the manner in which everything was conducted. Music was supplied by ‘ Messrs Beadle and Sharky, and the catering was excellently- conducted by Messrs Rogers and Smith Bros.