NOTES FROM WAIHI.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 460, 20 September 1879, Page 2

NOTES FROM WAIHI.

(from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Normandy lacks two of the essentials of modern civilisation—a Money-order Office ami Post Office Savings Bank, both of which would he very great conveniences not only to the inhabitants, but to the Constabulary stationed in the neighbourhood, who have no means at present of safely keeping their savings. As the Postmaster at Normanby receives no salary, it would bo unfair to place extra work on his shoulders ; but the Telegraphist recently appointed might well dtM’l'qlfo _ 1 >•.* i 1L Lilt? mrities could bo moved in the matter of the Money-order Office. By the way, tho worthy Postmaster does not receive that consideration at the hands of the Government ho deserves. The work at the Office has been unusually heavy for some months past, entailing a burdensome demand on his time, and it would be a graceful act on the part of tho townspeople to move the Postmaster-General to make Mr Beresford a handsome allowance for the manner in which he has conducted the business of the Post Office for a considerable period. This is a matter which only requires ventilating to stir the worthy citizens of Normanby to action—volunteers and all—hence my venturing to make a few comments.

Norrnonby also wants a clmrcb, as there is an incongruity in one congregation besieging the door of the school-house (which is in common use for all religious services) as the other comes out. No doubt, however, the practice shows a catholicity of spirit, and a broadness of principle somewhat rare in Christian denominations ; but the town of Nornuinby, which has reared and can support two temples to the worship of Bacchus, will surely soon rear a ternp'o ecclesiastic. I see Mr Hobson’s saw-mill is again actively at work, and there is a better prospectforthe building trades than existed during the winter. At Waihi, numerous additions arc being made to the Rodomlt buildings, in the erection of stores and offices, commensurate with the importance and requirements of a head-quarters depot. Most of the men, however, arc camped in tents, which are not only more comfortable and airy for the men than the blockhouses, but leaves one of those buildings available as a reading and recreation room. The encampment is visible at a considerable distance from Waihi, and has quite a picturesque appearance. By the way, an enterprising photographer would do a good stroke of business were ho to come this way and take good views of the camp, not to speak of personal photographs, which every man that can sport a uniform is anxious to obtain for his Dulcinoa in Wellington, so that he can, in pomp and panoply of war costume, recall the affections of his whilom forsaken damsel.

Rifle shooting is the order of the day at Waihi, and matches are on the card with every conceivable company, from the Colonel to the cooks. The station recently finished a match between the men of 1 and 2 Companies, and prizes were awarded in small sums, varying from 180 to 24 halfpence'. On a morning parade, the interest ing ceremony of presenting those valuable prizes took place, and we can speak of the avidity (if not pride) with which the modest coin which fell to the winter’s share was clutched from the tall and handsome non-commissioned officer, who so gracefully assisted the Captains in the prize distribution. A gentleman pledsantly known in camp as Citizen Blake, kindly .placed at Captain Marshall’s disposal a neatly sealed packet, to be presented to the lowest scorer , which the gallant Captain with much feeling and appropriate address, to third-class Chef de Cuisine Hansen. On opening the packet, a neat and solid medallion of wood was exposed, to the horror of the recipient, who has been heard ever since to mutter anathemas

against that jocular citizen. The parade was closed by the presentation to the second lowest scorer of a domestic piece of plate, not exactly silver, and fell to a member of the force familiarly known as the “ Native Minister,” and as it nluch fesembled'that useful article adapted for the administration of caudle to infants of tender years, Mr, or rather, as I have been assured on the highest authority that there are no misters in the force, third-class Constable Sheehan may transmit his wooden spoon to future generations. On the same day, an interesting ceremony took place at dinner in the non-commissioned mess. The carver, in a few cutting compliments, presented an elaborately prepared decoration to a junior officer (whose modesty forbids ray mentioning his name) iii recognition, as the inscription ran, of his splendid score of 18 out of a possible GO. The presentation has had such an effect, that he has given his rifle and ' the target no rest till he has excelled his decoration score, by making 78 out of a.possible 84, and ho has now engraved on his family plate, to wit, a tin pannikin, the motto 1 Nil desperandum.” Wailii lias seen, for the fiist time I believe in military instruction, a new kind of parade. We have hitherto been practised in fatigue parades, dress parades, and church parades, but last week we were assembled on what will hitherto be known as the lady-killers’ parade. A statement was made to the commanding officer by a person in the neighbourhood, that there was a Don Juan in the camp, and that the Don Alfonso’s Donna Julia, had been the victim of amorous attentions of a too demonstrative character on the part of the said Don Juan, and that it was essential for the morality and virtue of the district, that the Donna Julia should personally inspect the well favored and highly paid A.C.’s‘ whose attentions had so disturbed that fair lad}*, in order that her lord should deliver him up to the authorities. The men were paraded, every man—halt, blind, and lame —looking as modest as Ctcsar’s wife, and as amorous as Cupids, in hopes of winning the favor of the Donna. The lady did not however appear, her modesty wisely overcoming her lord’s indiscretion, so after a careful and minute inspection of a “ clem old man,” who was thrown in for the occasion, the Don Alfonso withdrew amid the suppressed groans of the multitude, he being unable to recognise any one sufficiently good-looking to supplant him in the affections of his lady-love. Seriously, however, a charge of the grave nature made against any man, should have been supported by much stronger proof than any the accuser could possibly bring, and we have reason to believe that the accusation wassomewhat akin to that of Potiphar’s wife against the modest and virtuous Joseph. On Tuesday evening the Opunakc Minstrels gave a select entertainment in the Block-house. A temporary stage had been neately fitted up wilh appropriate seconery. The orchestra, consisting of Messrs Knight (pianist), Dixon and Weymss, (violinists), opened with an excellent overture. The curtain rose to a well filled house, many of the audience having come from Normanby, and the ministrels in full nigger uniform presented themselves. The costumes of Bonos (Mr Groom), and Tambourine (Mr Wright), being of the correct vwmet Ot) I\v. iui n upcilCU WILU LUC song “ Kiss behind the Kitchen Door,” which he sung with such effect as to give the listener the impression he had often practised the kissing. “ Sweet Evelina ” was sweetly sung by Mr Hoaly, followed by Mr Groom in ‘‘o yes she is all the world to me.” “ Lulu ” was given with much effect by Mr Buraton ; but the pretty song of “ Mill May ” was so plaintively and correctly rendered by Mr Connelly that it elicited Jong and well deserved applause. A humorous song by Tambo was followed by the pleasing melody of “ My Old Kentucky Home,” very nicely sung by Mr Oakley. Bones gave “ Beautiful Nell ” in so good a manner as to demand great applause. The treat of the evening was undoubtedly a violin solo with variations by Mr Weymss, and it is not too much to say that the performance was worthy of avowed professional violinists. Mr Weymss showed himself so perfect a master of the instrument that the house demanded an encore, to which he responded by giving an excellent imitation of the bagpipes. Of the other portions of the programme special mention may be made of Mr Oakley’s rendering of the sacred hymn, “The sweet bye and bye,” the chorus of which was ably given by the troupe. Several other pieces were sung with good effect, and the jokes and contortions of the “ funny men ” were well received. A short farce, and then a dance, in the latter of which the audience were the performers, brought a very agreeable evenings amusement to a close. September 17 th, 1879.