HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9418, 14 April 1909, Page 2

HALCOMBE.

y . ■■>; ■ From Onr Own Ooifefßpdndent. -, a inerting of onr OrSoket Olnb was ■••’’■held on'Wedneadayilast, Mr M. Kew -> presiding. The object of the meet? n.'ing was to determine how best to V.wind np the season’s play, and it was resolved to do tbisjwitn a social J . and dance on the 7th of next month, ■ and a strong committee was elected • ■ to make the necessary arrangements It is with pleasure I note the revival ■ of local interest in the grand old game,' and I sincerely hope that it will be sustained and that in the seasons to come Haloombe will regain the laurels won and lost so many years ago. There is no good - reason why this should not he for " I- we have a most convenient j,“ pitch” and plenty of material out of which a “cap” team could be formed. What is needed is persistent practice and a determination to 1 1, i ' We have had about 24 hours rain which has done an immense amount of good, the country having put on a fresh and deeper shade of green. Fortunately for holiday makers Easter Monday dawned bright and

promising. ... .. I have been favoured with the perusal of two Istters sent by girls of the same age to a mntnal friend. The one gives a full description ot the latest thing in dresses received from the city costumier, eloquent upon fit, fashion and furbelows. The other epistle is equally characteristic of the writer, a portion of which I quote. What for’ Well, in order that others terested in the development of our girls may study these types, and determine which, if either, is the one to cultivate. *‘l have taken to going without my hat now on days that are not too hot—caused rather a sensation in town first day. I noticed the women stared more than the men. I’m bothered if I’m going to toady to all these—rules of fashion. Fashion, how I hate the word! Daisy has pnt her hair np and comes out in style now—gives me a pain. She has a new . dress with sleeves close to the arm; same size all the way and tucked from top to bottom. Doesn’t ,like them, she savs. but they are the fashion now and all the go. Bah!! Think I’d wear things I didn’t like because they were “in fashion.’’ Not I, faith. Why the dickens can’t they have strength of mind enough to wear things that they know suit them instead of following in the trail of everyone else ;—and“‘picture hats. ’ ’ Horrors! —More like it. But I’m getting worked up, this will ■ never do, will write more when i cooler.” ' p . It was my privilege not long B smee to attend a Sunday School in Weilington which is being rnn,npon the kindergarten plan, and could not help contrasting the keen and sustained interest displayed by > tne hundreds of children present, with the sleepy indifference with which I and my schoolfellows listened to the same old stories so many years ago. By the use of land aud sea scapes, ; card board cottages, a heap of sand, moveable ■ figures, etc., eto., the scenes and incidents are made real: and appeal direct to the, infant mind. It was another happy thought to honour those whose birthday occurred “since last we met.” And a delightful ideas to place the new baby that had arrived during the Week in the care of those angels; who hung over and guarded the school cradle. But what got on the soft spot in my anatomy right away was the scene which was enacted after the school was dismissed and which did not form part of the curriculum. I had been asked to stay till the youngsters left, when the information desired would be supplied with Nearly all the children had filed out when I noticed a teaoher approach a child ; that still occupied one of th? cosy : little chairs and tenderly lift her from it. Then I saw that her limbs' ■were limp end nerveless and under no more muscular control than those of a cheap doll. Carefully that mfan; placed this helpless little one an her' waiting cart, and securely fastened her there before resigning her little; pupil to the care of elder sisters. Those who have lived to see the great majority of their friends depart to ‘ ‘ that bourne from whence no traveller returns” and feel the pcsition daily becoming more isolated will realise the force of the ■words uttered by the wonder worker "Watt, whose name, is inseparable from the mightiest.labourer in man’s service to-day. “I am now conscious of one of the saddest of all truths. My friends are one by one rapidly passing away. The circle is ever narrowing and I am left mote and more alone. Nothing grieves me so much as this. ” I have again to. thank the editor of the Wairarapa Daily Times for a parcel of staffipa sent for Mis Haase.