Shannon.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 18 April 1891, Page 2

Shannon.

+ (our own correspondent). \ Winter has evidently come at last, judging from the weather whioh we have had last week. But as yet it has had no ill effects. A very pleasant evening was spent at Kereru last Friday in the Schoolroom. The occasion was in-honeu* of Miss Dunlop's seventeenth birthday. Some sixty friends 'responded to the invitations, some of whom brought many useful presents. The room was tastefully decorated with ferns and nikauyisntbiSg^Vhich the word •• Welcome ."; was neatly inscribed by a local artist. The floor was all that could be desired, and a word of praise would not be thrown away on the Orchestra, who used their utmost endeavours to commit harmony with the instruments at their disposal. During the evening, Mr Roach, in a neat speech on behalf of Miss Dunlop, warmly thanked the guests for their thorough appreciation of the festive occasion, hoping, that when those assembled arrived at the age of sweet seventeen they would enjoy themselves as "well as the hostess had done that evening* < The dance continued, with here and there an interval for refreshments^ during which some of the bush vocalists gave proofs of their talent, until daylight. Everyone then went homewards, inwardly feeling that they had enjoyed themselves aftd 1 wishingfor another " birthday dance " as soon as possible. Iwont-raywho looked best or who didn't, but there was one very " spooney " couple there who caused no little amusement all round. m . • -nnirrH The road from Shannon to Bitzherbert I am gl^d to say is all let to various-tendeii3rß/~~S^ That will be. a da^ot^rcat^rejoicing for a great man^^u^ .V :^ ;^?OT Mr Lind, I heitr, is about to'tjtdße his flax mill for >the winter months. We will all miss the noise t>f th« machinery, and the busy carts going to and fro laden with green flax and fibre. "< The Messrs Hopkirk have purchased the Soho hemp mill near the Ferry. We wish them every success in their new venture. The site and convenience of the mill to the river would be hard to improve upon. I understand that it is their intention to get another engine in place of the present two that are there, which have become somewhat the worse Asa wear. Mr Scott is busy with the Tokomaru Valley road, tenders for which will be called for very shortly. This road will open up a fine block of land owned by the .Railway Company, which on the completion of the road should not be long changing hands. Many suppose that the road will be continued through to Eketahuna. ft may some day, but I think there ijria be a city with a Cathedral here by that time. There is also some talk of the.Government taking over the Company's line. This is, I fancy, a bone which the Ministers pick annually to please some people. Strange to say, even though the weather has been so cold lately, the mosquitoS; are still pretty troublesome. I hope they won't see fit to continue on during the winter, oi the poor bushmen will suffer. Things must be looking up here. A resident intends erecting^..^board-ing-house very shortly.' I Hope' he will be well patronised, as- any goahead action should be in small places.