OUT EAST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 37, 26 January 1912, Page 8

OUT EAST.

(By our Travelling Reporter.)

Mr Bredow, of Douglas, has at present a large staff of Maori shearers at work, and judging by the number of sheep penned in and around his shearing shed, they will have enough to keep themselves busy for some time. Hay-making is in full swing all along the line. Farmers can be seen in all directions busily cutting, stacking and carting, all working like Trojans in order to get same saved before more rain sets in.

On Monday evening, 15th instant, a Maori entertainment was held in the Strathmore Hall. The programme, which was an extensive and varied one, consisted of hakas, poi dances, Maori songs, and other items of an interesting and attractive nature. The audience, which was representative of the whole district, filled the hall to overflowing, and by its continuous and prolonged applause testified to its pleasure in listening to the representatives of the native race. At the end of the concert the Maoris provided a plentiful and tasty'supper, which .was heartily enjoyed by those present. The floor was then cleared for dancing, which was indulged in with great vim and vigour until an early ’hour jn the morning. Altogether the evening’s entertainment was unanimously voted i complete success. Mrs Sullivan, who was taken into Stratford last month through illness, has recovered sufficiently to enable her to make the journey to Palmerston North, Avhere she intends remaining for. a short time with her .mother. ,

Mr E. W. Hoddev, builder, Wb an game mo na, has at present got his hands, full. A commencement has, been made with the erection of the. new hotel, the foundation of which is already laid. In addition to that large order, ho has also got the frame-work, and one portion of the building well advanced for two new shops, and furthermore, he is the successful tenderer for the post office and a private residence. The total sum, reaches about £3OOO. ■ He also has several small contracts in the surrounding district. | ;■! Messrs Court and Cottier are again making a step towards the advancement of their business in Whangamomona. During the past few weeks extensive alterations have been effected in connection with their butchery department. Having obtained the services of a first-class small goods man, they immediately put in an up-to-date sausage machine, pump, and oat crusher, which are all worked by a new Ridd oil engine just erected for that purpose. The shop itself would now more than compare with any city shop. The show of meat and small goods is worth seeing, for nothing else but the best ox is slaughtered. In addition to these improvements, the firm intend starting a branch store at Tahora, in conjunction with a butcher’s shop. The necessary timber for the construction of tlie shops is on the site, and a start was made on Wednesday.

A great number of men who have been engaged working in the Whangamomona tunnel have received notice to “move on,” and in consequence several cottages have been and are being demolished for the purpose of shifting same to the vicinity of Kohuratahi.

Owing to the state of the roads in Whanganiomona, especially the saddle, the gravel vised in connection with the setting in of the different machinery at Messrs Court and Cottier’s stoj-o cost over £5 per yard. Cyclists often moot with peculiar experiences at times, and to fall down a cliff about 80ft is no joke. Mr Cook, who is representing a wellknown Hawke’s Bay firm of nurserymen, had that unpleasant experience on Tuesday. It appears that he was coming around a bend on the Whanga Road at rather a brisk pace probably in order to roach the township early, and in so doing the machine slipped on a piece of papa road, precipitating Mr Cook and his bicycle down the cliff, a complete drop of about 20 feet, and he continued on in a rolling attitude until ho reached the'bottom. The only injury lie received was a bruise on the back through falling on his camera, which he had strapped on his back, and which was totally demolished, the machine receiving very slight injuries, only a few parts being slightly bent, but nothing to prevent him still using it. Several men working on the road saw the incident, and on arrival mot Mr Cook ascending to the top of the cliff, minus Ids bicycle, which was soon landed safely on the road again by the men. The, Whanga tunnel is now getting prepared. All the rubbish, etc., has boon cleared out, and is now practically rcajly for the laying of the rails. Largo stacks of sleepers are stacked at

tho mouth of tho tunnel ready for be-ing-placed in position. A tennis court is being prepared on the Whanga Road, and will he ready for use shortly. This is a good pastime, and one that has been looked forward to in Whangamomona for some time.

Settlers all over tho district are busily engaged getting their wool carted in. lA large number of waggons could bo soon at Kiore, Whangamomoua, and other places fully loaded, ready for transhipment.

The wot weather experienced of late, especially in the backblocks, lias ■hampered shearing to a great extent, although some have been fortunate in getting an early start. One settlor remarked that he has been shearing on and off for tho, past four months, and; is not finished yet. Better late than never!

Efforts are again being made in Whangamomona to see If the sports meeting which was to have been held on Boxing Day (and which was unavoidably postponed on account of small nominations) cannot be held on a, later date. It is a pity if this popular body has to forego its annual sports. For years past this meeting has been looked forward to with great interest, and this set-back is somewhat of a surprise.

Bricks are now made in great num-m--.rs at the kiln, situated on the Prospect Road, and will prove a boon to tho settlers in tho Whangamomona district,, as a large number of buildings are at present in course of erection, and large quantities will therefore ho needed. The price of same delivered is in' the vicinity of £4 oer ton.

The tennis court at Te Wera has now been completed, and is in full going order. The township of Whangamomona is very quiet. The had weather and the Christmas season have taken much af the “life” from the district, leaving it more quiet than it has been or months.

Miss Nicoll, of Wellington, is at present spending a short holiday with: her sister, Mrs E. McOluggage. Mrs Sutton’s many friends will ho

■lad to hear of her return from tho Stratford hospital. Though not thoroughly recovered, she is making good orogress towards that desirable end. Mr Frod London, whoso cheery voice and smile have been missing from the township for the past few .vceks,, returned on Wednesday, ac,'ompanied by his brido. They both received a hearty reception, and Whaagamomona’s, congratulations and best wishes go with them for future hapoiress and prosperity.

The Marco school opens on Monlay next, and the Whangamomona school a week 1 lator. Mr Mills, the head teacher of the latter,i is spending his holidays at tho ,military training camp atTimaru.

Ploughs and scoops -have been restarted on the station yard site, and given good weather tho end of this summer will see all l tho excavation work finished.

The annual school picnic in connection with the Pohokura school was •elebrated on Thursday. Tho day was anything but g00d,,, spy oral slight ■hotter s falling.

The re-laying gang who. have, been engaged for some time ; putting in ’'bavier rails on the Stratford-Ongarue line, have nearly completed their task, xs only about five more rails are now a bo laid.