ONGARUE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 94, 7 August 1908, Page 2

ONGARUE.

(Own Correspondent.) .. The climate of Ongarue is at all times most invigorating, a fact which . even casual visitors do nbt lail to recognise. Apart from the scenic grandeur of the place, Ongarue may be uninteresting to most visitors; there is no church, pub, or theatre, but those civilizing deficiencies are more than accounted for by the presence of a gaol, and an all-pervading prevalence of scandal. The mill blurts spasmodically-" works for an hour with jjuffs and jerks, and stands idle for six hours, then rests from her grunting labour* indefinitely. At present the mill il in one of her resting moods. Apropos the much discussed Onga* rue and Stratford line. I once knew a lady who intended to buy a motor car, and by way of effecting the pur* chase by degrees, bought a motor cAp as a first instalment. The people 6f Ongarue and Ohura have long agitated, by means of elaborately signed petitions, political deputations, etc., leaving room for no other inference than that they very much desired the railway (since it had made snail-like strides from Stratford end) should start from Ongarue end too. I wonder if those patient people are consolifltg themselves with considering the new* ly erected station a first instalment in that direction.

Our newly erected station is not, however, by any means as new as the , painters' rejuvenating brush would make it appear. This primitive structure at one time graced the sta* tion platform at Te Kuiti, but falling into disgrace with that important city's populace, was discarded for a newer and more up-to-date building. Subservient Ongarue is happy in the thought that she can be of some little service to such a brilliant go-ahead commercial people, by being graciously permitted to act as a dumping ground for any old landmark of the past, which dignified Te Kuiti may look upon as obsolete, and unsuited for such a metropolis in these piping days of prosperity. Has Te Kuiti any old churches to dump or give away ? I have not heard it rumoured but I think I may presume that Te Kuiti must have a few calhedrals in course of erection. Those little shrines of worship, belonging to a past decade, must be in thfeir way. Send them along, please, to the dumping market—Ongarue. We are not a greedy people, but, by the way, has Te Kuiti any old gapls she would like to dispose of ? Oh, I beg their pardon, and retract immediately this latter query as being inopportune. I could not imagine Te in need of a gaol. , On the i.-t ult., a very nice card party and dance was given by Mr and Mrs Osborne. Joyous mirth arid good, feeling reigned supreme until midnight, when ail departed for home feeling edified and better for the social hour spent with such exemplary company.