TOKO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 100, 31 May 1900, Page 2

TOKO.

(from our own correspondent.) In my Toko notes I have so far refrained from saying anything about the war. That was because the news at the beginning was generally unfavorable, but now that the tide has turned, I have decided to let the outside world know how we (that is Toko) celebrated the relief of Mafeking. We are nearly all loyalists in Toko, and when the news came (unofficial) we hoped it was true, but were afraid it might not be. However, when the official news arrived, we (that is Toko) felt that we must act promptly, and this is how we did it: At about 7 p.m. one of our pioneer townsmen got a packing case from Bain's store, filled it with straw, poured kerosene on it and lit up. In a few seconds the crowd was there, and the fun began. Crackers were there in quantity as if by magic ; one joker had a doublebarreled gun and amused himself by getting behind some innocent citizen and discharging both barrels almost together, causing the innocent citizen to jump about two feet in the air, we (that is Toko) would then laugh. There is one guileless youth, known locally as the mutton tracker, who, when he had bath barrels discharged at his heels, made the record high jump, that is standing high jump, for Toko. Our leading citizen then called for three cheers for the Queen, Baden-Powell, Lord Roberts, etc. The man with the gun then sang " Sons of the Sea." We (that is Toko) must have made a good noise, because at th-'s stage the news arrived that a horse in a trap that was tied in Roty Reed's back yard, had been found on the gi ound and the trap on top of him ; that is of course the horse was on the ground,' not the back yard. The trap was broken and the man with the gun wentr.'Und with a list to raise some money to repair the trap and raised a very fair amount, though the mutton tracker used bad language and would not subscribe Our methods of rejoicing niay have been open to caricature, but our feelings were those of sterling and honest pride that we belonged to the race unci j the nation that had iroduced .such men. We felt too, that if the necessity arose we would try to emulate their deeds for the honour and glory of Old England. Hurrah! Our debating society has decided to

a«k a number of gentkmen outside of I our cK.iit-i. t to honour us by taking par liu u debate. If there are any of your readers who take a pleasure in' this form of amusement we would bej very pleased to aee them. "We would allow them to choose their own subject, and do all we could to make the I debate interesting.

Our butter factory is still running. The highest test last week was 53, the lowest was 4-3.

Our school examination is over, and I hear that the number of passes is very satisfactory, and reflects credit on both the head teacher, Mr. Olark, and the pupil teacher, Miss Maxwell. A petition is being signed and will be sent on to Wellington, asking the Government to build a ".post and telephone office. So far the post office has been in the store, but some people think the growth of the place justifies a! separate building, Mr. F. A. Pearson's store has changed hands, Mr. Oluett being the purchaser. The genial Burton was taken over with the business and reigns behind the counter as of yore. A number of young men here have joined the Mounted Infantry Corps lately formed in Stratford. They held tbeir first drill in the Toko Hall on Monday night, Captain W. Symes, M.H.R., being drill instructor. Mr. Upson and Mr. Lorimer have sold their farms as one to Mr. Lockton, of Stratford. The price was very fair, as the Makuri Road is still a bit backward. The weather is mild and feed is still good. A well-known blacksmith, Mr. Rutherford, lately of Riccarton, near Ohristchurcb, has started here, and as he is a first-class tradesman should do well.