HEDGEHOPE.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 9, 27 May 1893, Page 5

HEDGEHOPE.

It would be a pity that after all the trouble .you have had in bringing the Hedgehope district into prominence of late that it should ■ again relapse into spasmodical attempts to keep its individuality in the race for life, prosperity, and renown among its maiiy aspiring compeers in Forest Hill. There was a time when its interests, social, political, farming, amusements, scholastic, ecclesiastical, entertainments, road works, &c., were ably chronicled in the local public prints by a correspondent who could quote Latin, and revel in Latin and Greek mythology to point a moral or adorn a talc; but your Ixumbla servant, not having had a classical education, will not be able to soar on eagle’s wings, but will have to content himself with the use of plain Saxon. Our social condition has of late been somewhat improved, as cold, hot, and lukewarm have promiscuously met, discussed, and unanimously adopted the motion for an extension of the Forest Hill railway, although apparently on the lines of Homo Rule. Our political creed, I am sorry to say, is a counterpart of many country districts. Instead of unity which'is strength, disunion has been rampant. Hence the reason we have been left out in the cold in the matter of railway ; but as it is never too late to mend it is surmised by the knowing ones that the hatchet has been buried and the calumet of peace and unanimity substituted- I think the farming community of New Zealand would do well to take a leaf from our book so as to keep the balance of town versus eouutx-y within the shears. The farmers here can this year have a new broom to do their threshing, as the Messrs Ferrier Bros, have pluckily invested in a traction engine, and despite the old rotten culverts and bridges are determined that no obstacles will deter them fighting their opponents of the old school, and serving their friends. They.must inherit the spirit of their progenitors who lived in and around the town of Trysts (Falkirk), in Scotland, so famous in that country’s annals for the long and bloody battle between the Scotch and English headed by Wallace and Edward I respectively, resulting in the defeat of the Scotch, who were outnumbered five to one, but which after a lapse of hundreds of years showed that its sturdy sons inherited the pluck and stamina of their forefathers by giving, under the leadership of Prince Charlie, the Royal army a thorough drubbing. The amusements of the district, consisting -of athletics in moderation and an occasional trip on the light fantastic, are preventatives of larrikinism and conducive to health, manliness, and civility. The mental fodder includes ■the best colonial newspapers, well read and digested. If shoemakers’ wives are worst shod and ministers’ sous most irreligious be true adages, -then the dwellers on the Hedgehope should -occupy the golden medium in ecclesiastical matters, as there arc religious services monthly only, held by the incumbent of Long Bush, but who lately left for Waimate, and whose departure was deeply regretted throughout ■the entire district. Mr Kelly’s place cannot ■be filled. He was one in a thousand, as he had all the qualities of, a clergyman. School matters arc in good going order. Our teacher always secures good examination and inspection reports. He is a great favourite with the children and of course with the parents. He possesses an additional qualification to the ordinary run of teachers in being a good musician and instrumentalist, which assuredly stands him in good stead in so isolated, a spot. Should any traveller, being.a stranger, be on the road in the vicinity when dark and things look weird, and hear the ’strains of Mr Andrews’ piano, I am quite sure, if he be superstitiously developed, he would be apt to inspect the place next morning for fairy rings. J n the matter of roads we are fairly served. They are being-duly extended in the way of formation and gravelling. I would suggest,

however, as regards the last part formed, that the contractor and inspector, should avail themselves of the Southland Collegiate Classes and take the course of applied mathematics under the head “hydrodynamics, by the Rev. W. White, A.M. of the Royal University, Ireland,” and if it is not too ambitious for a clodhopper to suggest to the Southland County Engineer that a more uniform and substantial formation of good clay would be abetter foundation for, and therefore a saving of, gravel, which is certainly anything but plentiful in the immediate vicinity, rendering an extra supply vei’y costly.