WAITOTARA.

Patea Mail, 23 September 1880, Page 3

WAITOTARA.

fFR 0 M UUH C 0 II RKSI’ONDEN T.] Wednesday Evening.

Regular railway traflic between Wanganui and Waitotara commenced on Monday. A considerable number of our town people took a trip to Wanganui by the first return train. Arrangements will be made for Cobb and Co.’s coaching service to dovetail with the train service, but coaches still run to Kai Iwi, In consequence passengers for north preferring to come here by train have to wait rather more than an hour for the through coach. The station is felt to be inconveniently far from the township. For the use of persons from a distance who ride to meet trains, Messrs Durie Bros, have erected a seven stalled stable and loose box at the back of their wool-shed, about 200 yards from the station. As there is a small paddock fenced off in which to turn horses loose during the day, this should prove a convenience to parties going to Wanganui by the morning and returning by the evening trains.

(From a Roving Contributor.')

Finding myself in the vicinity of that delightfully situated township, Waitotara, on Friday evening last, and hearing that an entertainment was to take place, I acted on the suggestion of some friends and went to see it, little thinking that I should become one of the chief actors in connection with it. Your correspondent seeing me there induced me to promise to report it for the Mail, and thereby relieve him of the delicate task of criticism, as he was to take a share of the business of the evening. Somehow I rather regret having to kep my promise, but as there is no drawing back I shall say just what I thought of it. Entering the schoolroom the drop-scene was really beautiful to look upon. The small room was soon crowded, and the audience was enlivened by sweet inspiriting strains from a piano and violin, the tune being excellent. Very good but rather too loud for the size of the room, I thought. Following this came the favorite song, “ The stirrup cup,” sung by a fine bass, who, at a later stage, gave “ Home they brought her warrior dead,” eclipsing his first attempt. “ The Four jolly Smiths” brought out a tenor who, though not possessing a very powerful voice, knew well its strength. He was well received. The reading of one of Mrs Caudle’s curtain lectures was not a success, although it caused some merriment. The comic song of “ William Harry,” or “Will you marry?” amused the ladies. “ Alice, where art thou ?” sung by a lady with a fine cultivated voice, was highly appreciated. The duet “ Larboard watch,” between tenor and bass, was fairly rendered. Another comic song followed, causing not a little mirth ; and the “ British Lion” made its appearance once more. The second part was a negro minstrel performance, the burnt-cork amateurs being hardly equal to the serious task of tickling people into roaring laughter.

Hard up. —Mr Macandrew would issue 4 shin-plasters ’ forthwith, and build railways with a ( bale of paper and a printing press,’ but that idea will scarcely commend itself to the public, -who are now experiencing the consequences of two years of Grey-Macandrew finance. Wc must accept the hard fact that we have eaten our bread, and therefore cannot ‘have it’as well—that having spent or pledged the bulk of the last loan in advance, we must do the best we can for Ihe next years with the small remaining balance. ” — Post.

The members of the Australian team are much stouter than when they left Victoria. Bonner now weighs 17£st. I met an old gentleman, about 80 years of age, who told me that he had seen all the best players this last 50 years, and he never saw a fielding team like the Australians, The wicket keeping of Blackbam he considers marvellous. He said Paling, the Lancashire man, was very good, but Blackbam was more than his master.— London Cor.