WAITAHUNA

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 58, 20 March 1869, Page 3

WAITAHUNA

By Otjb Own Penny-a-liner.

The " march of civilization " in these goldfields towns is hourly advancing at so much more raped a rate, that I think the expression " Race' of civilization" will very soon be more appropriate than " March of civilization." Along the wayside between Lawrence and Waitahuna cottage after cottage is rising up, and garden-patches and paddocks, with their yellow wayeing corn, taking the place of the sombretinted tussock. Little healthy urchins, too,- may be seen running about the doors, and their merry voices, as they join in their (sports, carr your

Penny-a-lmer, in memory, back to the scenes of old. Before long, we may expect to find the road fenced on each side, all the Way to Waitahuna, -with an industrious settled population, daily reclaiming the wilderness, and making it blossom like • the rose. In this most beautiful autumn weather, the rpad is good for travelling; but woe betide the waggons coming towards Lawrence from the Half-way House, on the gradient there, when the heavy rains come, which we may shortly expect. It will be a case of ruts two or three feet deep. "Where is our Road Inspector, that he has not already taken advantage of the dry season to pitch these cuttings ? Men, I am told, are in abundance ; and surely labour is now cheap enough — five shillings a day. Roads at that rate should be made and kept up for less than half they were a few years ago. But not a word of censure without a word of praise. I must acknowledge that, with an exceptional patch here and there, we have got a good road to Waitahuna. While writing of the rapid strides in the march of civilization on the road to Waitahuna, I must notice what every passer-by cannot fail to observe : that old stores, — in which the money was made in the good old times, — are giving place to noble structures, not only commodious for the large and miscellaneous stock required on the diggings, but pleasing to look upon as works of art. Among these, at the Bridge, Mr. Oudaille has erected a building which would grace a city. It is a capacious store, where one feels he has room to breathe freely. Then there is the new bridge — or the old one patched vp — open for traffic. The contractor, Mr. Cormack, has, judging from its general appearance, made a good substantial bridge — one that is likely to last s* few years ; and I know the timber supplied from the Tuapeka Mouth Saw-mills will stand the test of the severest climate. The Bridge Hotel and Inverness Hotel stand whore they did. Riding along the fiat, wo pass the land which Mr. Murray applied for — in the names, it was said, of a great many both near and distant relatives. It looks good land ; and I sincerely hope that those residents of Waitahuna who made applications and lodged their deposits — nearly two years ago, I believe — for this same land, will get what they asked for, and a few acres to the bargain, by way of interest for their msney, A few minutes' ride brings us to the township ; and here we find improvements similar 1o those described at the Bridge. The principal one is the new store built by Messrs?. Hibbard and Co., which is modern in its architecture, and in every respect commodious. It is now time to go to the readings — for Waitahuna is not behind in adopting and carrying out with spirit all the enlivening and elevating entertainments and amusements which have been created for social enjoyment by this enlightened age. The Assembly Room, in which these entertainments are held, I found well filled with a most respectable class of people — such, in fact, as form the main-stay and pride of Waitahuna. Mr. Clark, the Schoolmaster was called to the chair, and announced the opening chorus, " I know a bank," &c, by the Grlee Club. But, alas ! there was a dreary void ; the female voice was hushed, and its absence was never more palpably noticeable. The following is the programme gone through during the evening: — Mr. Poison, a reading from " Mansie Wauch ; " Mr. Smith, " The young recruit ; " Mr. Henley, reading, " I vont to-fly ; " Mr. Bosestow, " The white squall ; " Mr. O'Keiff, reading, " The ship on fire ; " Mrs. Ohlston, reading, "^audle lecture." Songs and readings followed, by Messrs. Devonshire, Runell, Ferguson, Higgins, Henry, and Miss Wilson, who sang, to her own accompaniment, " Remember me," and ree'eived an encore. The National Anthem closed the entertainment; immediately after which I made tracks homeward, leaving those who were fond of the dance to trip the light fantastic.