TE MAPARA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 480, 6 July 1912, Page 3

TE MAPARA.

Though the roads are execrable, they are not yet quite imoassable. and stores are still being brought in for the winter, which is likely to be tided over without any very great hardship. Nothing of note has occurred during the last month, save a very rapid increase in the population. Last Friday a christening cer9mnoy which took place at Mr Dempsey's place was conducted on sufficiently good lines to prove Banjo Patterson's proverbial "Bush Christening" a fallacy. The ceremony itself did not differ at all from its kind, but the little girl did, she looked much nicer than most little girls look in similar positions, and took the serious business more kindly. This job being ended, a meeting was held about funds for the church to be built at Pio Pio. The sum of about £35 was collected from those present, and several considerable sums were are to come in from those who were absent.

During the Bfternoon Father Brennan favoured the company with a couple of good songs and many good stories, but the rev. gentleman was forced to take his departure eurly, as his arduous duties called him elsewhere. Not until night did the real fun begin. The company waxed strongly of the Hibernian, and as there is no Hibernian crowd without an orator, Mr O'Shea upheld the traditions of his race by opening the proceedings with a Bhort, but pithy speech. As fitting to the occasion, he chose for his subject the Biblical* exhortation "Yea, marry and multiply," bringing to light many home truths, and showing much of that wit and facility of expression which has made his little island for ever famous. Among other items Mr Kerrick rendered some excellent flute solos, and danced two or three vigorous Irish Jigs. As the fun went on, sounds of quiet.merriment disturbed the stillrießS, yet now and then might be heard the lonely call of the owl and the weird scream of the wild dog, reminding the happy revellers that there was still bush to be conquered ; but the cup that makes good comrades, and fans to life dead memories passed around, the clock on the mantel piece points twelve and still on went the wee small hours of the morning; the morn would break ere long, and the sun rise, but devil a bit cared they. That ,God sends prosperity to the Irish people at home and still allows her children abroad to spend merry nights, is a sentiment heartily echoed by her faithful sons at Mapara. r;