WAIAU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 238, 13 October 1914, Page 3

WAIAU

A bIRTBDAY PARTY. (By Our Travelling Representative.] At nightfall of my first day in Waiau I arrived at the bachelor quarters of Mr Sidney Owen, and was at once iuvited to tea. Inside the establishment I found two old friends, Messrs W. I lark and J. McLarin, also bachelors; in fact, this is the only fault 1 have found in the Waiau district—the number of bachelors there are—ar.d I trust the alvice I have given at the vaiijUß quarters will soon ba followed. That the young ladies of the district are charming was impressed upon me liter in the evening, for as soon as Mr Owen found I was spending the night in the district he at once iovited me to a birthday party he wai giving to celebrate his coming of age. This appears to be quite tha custom iii the district, several such evenings having been previously given by other bachelors. However, this is Mr Owen's evening and I will deal with it. After a hasty snack and much bustle on the part of the said bachelors—shaving, brushing, etc.— we all started out in Mr Clark'3 large farm waggon, two strong farm horses having been pressed into service for the occasion. The two miles to the schoolhouse, where the party was to be, seemed as but a few hundred yards. Swinging through the gates I noticed tbat many guests had arrived, whilst inside the schcol a numb;r of the fair sex were already seated. In a few minutes Mr Owen had nude everyone welcome acd very soon the merry throng were gliding through the entrancing and everpopular waltz, Until the early hours of the morning the light fantastic was indulged in wi h unabated vigor, the splendid music supplied by the McLarin Bros, (4) and Mr ,1. Nicholson meeting with marked approval. At intervals songs, etc., were rendered by the local talent, the following supplying popular items:— Mrs J. Robinson;, Mr Harnot, stepdance and descriptive song (comic); duet, Messrs Roper Bros. Mr Souter, in making a silver birthday presentation on behalf «f those present, spoke of the high esteem in which Mr Owen was held in the district, and especially thanked bim for giving them all such a jolly evening. Mr Owen, in reply, thanked Mr Suter for his kind remarks and presentation, ar.d said that when he first came to Waiau from the South Island he did not know anyone and did not feel at home. S,;on lie made a few friends and was made to feel more at home; now. after a few years' residence, he felt quite at home. He was delighted to sse such a crowd pretent and hoped they were all thoroughly enjoying themselves. Supper was then handed round and a sumptuous and abundant loa3t it was. The large gathering and the consequent crowded state of the schoolroom made the need for a hall in Waiau very patent to all. How ever, this ought soon to be under way, for Messrs McLarin Bros, have given a site, and a considerable amount of money has been collect d. The ladies were daintily frocked. Amongst those present I noticed : Mrs Wilson, navy blue silk, with oriental trimmings; Mrß Davy, white linen, handsome ivory tusk brooch.; Mrs Robinson, cream embroidered blouse, black skirt; Mrs Roper, white embroidered mualin; Mrs L). Clark, cream blouse, black skirt; Mrs Learning, brown dress, with white trimmings; Mrs Melicb, black dress, relieved with white; Miss Clark, blue silk skirt, cream lustre blouse with clematis; Miss G. Clark, grey lustre skirt, cream silk blouse; Miss McLarin, cream lustre with brown silk trimmings; Miss M. Melicb, white muslin dresi, pink silk sash; Miss Learning, cream nun's veiling; Miss M/ Learning, pink ribbed silk; Miss Mapp, black silk; Miss Mkloney, creme blouse, floral collar, grey skirt; Miss Ro3e, white silk, lace collar; Miss D. Learning, strawberry dr£s9, white lace trimmings; Mis?es Clark (2), plum coloured cashmere, white trmmings; Miss P. McLarin, cream lustre; Miss E. Melich, white muslin and beads; Miss Florrie bouter, grey dress with white embroidery.