37 YEARS AGO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5508, 2 December 1929, Page 4

37 YEARS AGO.

(From the “Ohinemuri Gazette” of December 3, 1892.) WAIHI. The band committee are organising a picnic party to Katikati on Saturday afternoon, returning on Sunday night. They are to give a concert and dance in the hall there on Saturday night, likewise sample Barney’s whiskey, as he is understood to keep a right good old Irish brand. The Jockey Club had a meeting on Monday night, and the proceedings were pretty lively until Chas. Harley was sat upon and had to leave. Business was then proceeded with, and arrangements made for running a meeting on March 20, 1893. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the secretary, Mr A. H. Clark, fox* the manner in which he performed his duties. What has become of a beer barrel is the question of the greatest interest to the community in general at the present moment. It happened thusly : On. Saturday evening, when things were getting a bit lively on the strength of the new proprietor taking charge of the hotel, several liberalminded individuals pooled the price of a barrel of beer, and rolled it out to the boys to have a jollification. A dozen new pannikins were brought into requisition, and the cask was taken along to a block in front of Percy’s butcher’s shop, where a start was made. One man was in such a hurry to put the stuff out of sight that he took the loan of an axe to smash in the head, but wiser counsels prevailed, and it was operated upon in the usual manner. My word I some of them had a gorge, and stuck to their work like Trojans ; but eventually all cried enough, excepting Ben Nevis and Joe, who stuck to it till everybody else had retired or gone to sleep. After mature consideration, the pair of them decided upon carrying home the barrel, with what remained of the beer. But, alas, they only got a short distance past the hall when Ben was overcome, and to make sure of the beer he went to sleep on top of the barrel while Joe went for a horse and sledge. He could not procure one, but on his return thought it would be a good trick to leave his mate sleeping, and take the barrel away on his own hook and secret it in a place not thought of by Ben. The idea was carried out, and a secure hiding-place was found. Next day two or three of the boys were laid on to a good thing ; but, as it was thought that there would be a rush set in if removed in daylight, it was decided not to remove it till nightfall. During the afternoon a careful lookout was kept, and all was secure just before dusk. But, lo and behold ! when three or four of them came trudging along with a hand-barrow, the blessed thing had completely disappeared, much to their chagrin and disappointment. A most minute search was made around, and the neighbours’ huts were overhauled, but not a sign of it has been seen since, and where that barrel has got to is a mystery to all the boys. The jokers that made away with it must be having a gay time of it, and be enjoying a good laugh at the disappointed ones every time they blow froth off their pannikins. LOCALS. Mr George Crosby, of the Belmont Hotel, is now making final arrangements regarding the erection of his new hotel. Tenders are being called immediately for the work. The half-holiday movement has at length extended to Paeroa, and local tradespeople have combined to close on Thursday afternoons.

Mr Peter O’Reilly, father of the Rev. Father O’Reilly, passed away at the residence of his son at Thames on Wednesday, at the advanced age of 90. He was an old colonist of about 40 years’ standing, and was a well-known identity both in Auckland and at the Thames. He resided at Otahuhu some years ago, and then went with his son first to Coromandel and latterly to Thames. He was a native of Rossorbory, Cork, Ireland.

The Hindoo hawkers in Wellington have handed over all the interest accruing on their money deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank to the Wellington Hospital, as their religion does not allowTthem to take the interest. At Fleming and Co.’s weekly sale of fat cattle, which was held on the 30th ult., at their yards, Parawai, Thames, they report: A full market was yarded, all sold freely, prices keeping firm at last week’s quotations. Steers £6 5s to £7 17s 6d, being equal to 23s per 1001 b. Heifers and cows sold equal to 21s 6d per 1001 b. A full market of sheep and lambs was penned, and sold as follows : Wethers 14s, ewes 11s 3d, lambs 5s to 7s 3d each.