HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9022, 9 December 1907, Page 3

HALCOMBE.

From Our Own Correspondent. .The reputation enjoyed by the Rev. Flannagen had preceded him, and a large audience welcomed ins appearance here ou Friday night and listened to his address with marked attention and interest. The principal portion of the latter was derivod from listening to the speaker's personal experiences. - An exhibition of work done by

the members of Miss Gilbertson's sewing class in connection with the technical school will be shown in the Halcombe Hall on December 20th, and should attract all interested in noting the rapid advance possible when dressmaking or other work is performed under scientific as well as practical methods. Our womenfolk of to-day are learning to fashion their-garments upon an accurate system of "plans and specifications." Thero is no three fingers and thumb with a little bit off the top now; measurement with the new school of needlewomen is accurate to the thread.

How that fly got into the amber, or how the amber got round the fly, is one of the mysterios that I'm not fly enough to solve, to which this other has been recently added. How did the colours of the rainbow become impressed upon that hen's egg shown mo by Mr R. K. Bradbury—tbo prismatic colours with their beautiful shadings were distinctly visible upon the' small end of the shell—how woro they placed thero is the question. I cannot accept this explanation of JBullocky Bill's as a solution of tho problem, which lie gave as follows, without a smile . "Well, so help me never; inside tlii yer bloomin' egg there's a yollc (yoke). ain't there? Well, every yoke that's worth auythin' lias got bows—d'yo see'-"' A few years ago a splendid full length portrait of "a typical tramp" appeared in the Auckland Weekly, to which I added a pen and ink sketch of the best known and in many respects the most remarkable swagger 011 the road. Being a man of education, scrupulously honest, and possessed of 'a marvellous memory, I becamo interested, and have kept in touch with him for nearly 30 years. When I first made his acquaintance I found that ho had been a wanderer upon the face of the earth since he was 12 years of age. Now he is nearing the three scoro mark, after which wo know that every distance peg appears a post, and though the goal is not far away the track becomes rougher and harder to travel at every stride—especially is this so to one who loathes the idea of charity, aud who has put in an hour at the wood heap rather than "borrow" a postage stamp. It was therefore with great pleasure that I learned from this typical rolling stone that by tho will of a deceased relative he is to bo supplied with sufficient "moss" to render his further tramps through this to the "other country" comparatively soft aud easy going. When re-reading this week "tho Vagabond Papers" of 1870, I was once more on tho Flemington racecourse, where, leading the thundering rush of 33 horses, I again see Brisois, ridden apparently by a child, the winner of the double event—the Derby and the Cup. The other day I read a visiting American's opinion of the last Cup carnival. It ran something like this : —"Wa'll, it beats any racing show on earth. I have seen it; and I am satisfied you have, I presume, nothing more for me." Thirty-one years ago my friend '' Tho ' Vag.'' wrote: '' You might perchanco have seen as much richness and elegance at Longchamps in the palmy days of the Empire; but for a great al fresco gathering of beautifully dressed women I know nothing in the world to equal the lawn at Flemington on Cup Day. Tho display of dress, beauty, youth, health, and vitality was amazing." Three Colonial Governors saw the Cup race of ISTG, and five State Govornors witnessed the unique strugglo this year. The popularity of Cup Day has, if possible, increased with the years, in spite cf all that has been said and written against the general and gorgeous gambling which it induces, and which, unfortunatley. seems inseparable from such marvellous meetings. The hundreds of bookmakers, touts, and secretaries who adorned tho course in plush and soiled cuffs, who sport huge diamonds, smoke big cigars, etc., and live luxuriously upon the folly of a foolish gambling public, have a bad time at the hands of the outspoken "Vagabond." In writing of the then secretary of the V.B.C. the "Vag." shows his hand, or heart. 'I know nothing of this gentleman, but I love him for one thing. He rode up on Badger a celebrated steeplechaser which won many noted racos; two of his owners committed suicide the last-being that erratic poot, gonius and sportsman Adam Lindsay Gordon. After his death poor Badger fell on evil days; his t youthful prime was gone and his market value reduced to three halfcrowns for which sum he was sold to tho knackers. He was being driven past Mr Bagot's house, when that , gentleman asked what horse it was. 'Badgor, Lindsay Gordon's famous hunter, going to tiio knackers.' Bagot's soul was wroth within him, : and he swore it should not be whilst he lived. He purchased the poor old horse, turned him out to grass and fed him well. At least he should die happv. With this kind treatment ; Bdager waxed fat and strong, his youthful powers revived, and ho is now a steady hack, 'useful to ride or drive,' and if put to it will take a fence as lightly as of yore. So his possessor is rewarded." Yes, and in fancy I -can hear that lover of horses and that poet's spirit whisper : "My blessings on you, Bagot. " Miss Hammond, of Kawhatau, has sent me a parcel of stamps for the Halcombe invalid, for which I sincerely thank her on his behalf.