WHANGAMOMONA NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 51, 24 February 1912, Page 7

WHANGAMOMONA NOTES.

(From our own Correspondent.) The railway works are quickly moving beyond here towards Ivohuratahi. The blacksmith’s shop, library, etc., on the Mangere Road are being moved further up the line, and the once bright and populous Mangere will soon return to its old-time solitude, save for the occasional throbbing of a railway engine sending its echoes to remind the settlers that deliverance from the toilsome muddy TVhangamomona Saddle is at hand.

Mr I). B. Howard is also closing his general store at the tunnel. He intends working the line now from his Kohuratahi store.

Messrs Manoy and Hassall, drapers, will be in their new premises by the end of the month. Their present shop has been taken over by a legal gentleman from Stratford for a branch office.

Mr E. W. Hodder, contractor for the new hotel, has been unfortunate in the building of the cellar. First, water springs (were discovered in the sides (or father the springs discovered the cellar and rejoiced Therein), then before the brick wall was properly started, rain fell heavily for 21 hours, causing the earth to : !ip at the sides, and about half fill the cellar with earth and rubbish. However. Mr Hodder reckons to fix it all up sound again if the weather will take up and be fine a while. The dog collar for 1912 is to be seen everywhere here now, the tax collector having made an energetic canvass of the district.

Mr F. Jones, driver for Howard’s store, had a marvellous escape last week. He was driving over Tahora Saddle when the backhand broke, causing the cart and horse to slip back over a bank 30 feet deep. Mr Jones and a little girl passenger were thrown out, but escaped any serious injury. Assistance was obtained from a passing carter and the horse and cart were both recovered not a great deal the worse.

Mr W. G. Fargie, from Ohura, is paying a short business visit here. \ I hear that a large block of land on the Whanga Road has changed hands to an outside buyer.

Mrs Fowler is back after a holiday in Stratford.

The School picnic is to be held on Friday next, when a big day with the children is expected ; the picnic is to he followed by a social and dance in the evening. The arrangements are in capable and energetic hands and success is a surety if the weather does its share.

Mrs and Miss Ferguson have returned after an extended trip to Southland.