OKATO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8112, 17 May 1906, Page 3

OKATO.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) During the last few months many changes have taken place in tiiis district. Mr H. Thompson has disposed of three of his farms to settlers from England, Messrs Hodson, Featherston and another. It is rumored that other properties are on Hie market and terms may soon be arranged. The bazaar, which was held a few weeks ago in aid of St. Patrick's Public Library, has resulted (thanks to the organisation of Father Cognet) in a credit balance of about £IBO. The stalls were in charge of Mcsdames . Daly, Carey, O'Sullivan, Judge, I Brophly and Lawn, who were ably as- ' sisted by numerous canvassers. The following week a social was held, at which the remainder of the goods were auctioned by Mr Eothcry. It was very evident whon lie was selling pairs of " wheelbarrows " and " throw-them-up-and catch-its'' that Ibis was not his debut as an auctioneer.

Mr E. Marks, who won the Amateur Boxing Championship last year, has taken up his residence here for the winter months, and started boxing classes which arc well atttended. Already some of the " raw uns" are showing signs of improvement. The classes arc held in the front department of the billiard room which Mr Marks lias leased for a term, and the model way in which everything is conducted, helps' to make tho establishment supply to the young fellows, in the form of healthy recreation, a longfelt want.

Mr Eothcry has sold out his business to Mr Lawaon, Mr Clarry has arrived from Eltbam to take charge of the Okato branch of the business, while Mr Luvson himself has built a new shop and residence at Oakura.

On the night of Mr Rothcry's re. tirement from business ho dressed up as a millionaire in bell-toppcr, frock coat, white vest and kid gloves. On one side of his hand-bag was," £1,000,OOU " and on the other side, " What I extracted from the farmers in 3 years." This millionaire appeared at the local store, where as "on 'change men most do congregate," and after refusing luany services proffered in the hope of getting tips, ho, with much ostentation and deliberation, deposited his bag of treasure on the counter and said, "Mr Storekeeper, you might let these boys have six-pennorth of banamn and three cigars." For such munificence he was well pelted with lolloy bags full of Hour. Tho sueno changed, and eyes and mouths stretched, when, after much diving, jingling, and fumbling among the contents of the bag, what appeared to he a bottle of "real Scotch " was produced. The mayor, himself a Scotchman, was invited to drink the first glass, and after stretching his neck to its fullest extent, and with eyes full of expectancy, he raised the " crater " to his lips, when, instoad , of a beautiful, burning sensation, horror of horrors, too late he realised, it was weak cold tea!

"Tim "will bo missed by all sections of the community, fur without a doubt lie has, as regards fun, kept tho place at while heat. Unlike many of his imitators, he has never perpetrated a joke that lias been destructive of property. The practice dances have started again and on the opening night last week, the first practice was well attended.

The Social club is talking of holding an opening concert about the beginning

of June, when last year's medals will be presented. The secretary, Mr Gill, proposes asking the winners to repeat their winning selections. The new footpath, which the County Council is pulling nl«ng High street, is like Bellamy's '■ Looking Backward" grad-u-al-ly coming true —special emphasis on the grad-u-al-ly, and said very slowly.

The school committee has done timely work in getting 12 loads or screened metal, which the boys have spread over such parts of the play-' ground as get sticky in wet weal her. When the season arrives it is intended tu plan! clcagniis jupuiiica along ll,e south fence, and break the wind which comes under macrocarpa trees when they are gel ting thin at the bottom, ami I understand the cemetery trustees intend Inning the eastern bound try planted in the sa:n(i way. Inspector Balhintvnc visilcd the school Ui»t week.

The milking season is just about over. The Puniho and Oxford road creameries have been shut down for some time, aad all the milk goos to tho main faotorv for the winter months.

Ono of the most fruitful topics of conversation amongst the " know-alls " of the place has been the threatened diversion of the waters of the upper Stoney into the Kailiihi basin. To realise the danger it is necessary to visit the spot. The more closely it is examined the more real the danger becomes. On visiting the place where the new channel is being cut to divert the stream, Ike first thing that strikes one is that the effort is too puny to be of any avail