DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 72, 21 April 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

TARATA. I made a pilgrimage to the backhlocks a week or so ago, leaving Inglcwnod and travelling due east. The country seemed closely settled, and from the appearance of the homesteads as well as of the cattle, horses, and sheep, the settlers appear to be well off and prosperous. With the exception of the succession of hills and hollows, the switchback mil tire of the road, nothing of any note could he recorded till the Zig-zag was reached; then the beauty of the place was beyond my powers of description. I walked slowly over this wonderful piece of road, through mo-t lovely native bush, drinking in the ever-changing beauties of the bush, cheered On my solitary way by the songii-aud calls of the native birds, and wishing all the time for the ability to make a word-picture good enough to convey to others the delights I myself experienced. 1 have negotiated many backlilock saddle*, but I never saw a beauty-spot to equal the gate into Tarala. I whipped up mv old nag when the hush ended, and trotted along to the bridge.

The. word "l.iid'jc" reminds me of a melancholy fail which 1 have to record about Tarata. It appear, lh.it someone has inlroiliiced that nefarious game into the district, and several of the hitherto quiet and orderly eili;:ens have been hitlcn with Hie craze. Such expressions as "grand s'.am.'' "chicane," "no trumps," etc., may be heard at wery slreet corner. One. inllueiitial settler was heard to murmur, after a solid hour's work or play, "(ill! my poor bairns," but after another hour's lighting a rearguard action, in which he secured a "grand slam" on a "no-trump" hand I whatever that is) he said he did not pity the childrc little: they were asleep and as happy as he was. 'l greatly fear this kind of thing is spreading, and sooner or later such pens as Mr. Enroth's and j Mr. 1). l'Vrguson's must take up the runj ning in our behalf.

T was just in time to attend the hall given by the Tennis Club. It appears ft tenuis, tournament was held in the Recreation flronnd on Monday, and in the evening the hall was held to wind up the season in proper si vie. During the evening Mr. Rice presented Miss Maggie I'allersnn with the prize donated by Mr. Topping to the hulv who made most improvement in tennis during the season. The prize was a lai'"C kiuiri-guni hearl. .Mr. Rice con«ratulated Miss Patterson and thanked Mv. Topping for |he prize, lie said the conditions- were such as to bring out all the earnestness and attention to the game of the fair competitors.