DISTRICT NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10264, 16 June 1911, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.'

TINUI. Anyone who knew the district a few years ago will notice the transformation from a wilderness of scrub, toi toi, and rabbits, to a veritable Garden of Eden. Rabbits everywhere, on the hills, in the gullies, in the garden, wherever you went, nothing but rabbits. The grass was poisoned, with them, and resulted in the loss of thousands of hoggets every year. At the homesteads, packs of rabbit dogs would be heard howling at night; the smell of' phosphorous was everywhere; guns and cartridges were part of the house furniture; rabbit ting spades were leaning against the gate-posts; the woolsheds and stables were full of rabbit-skins drying. And yet these determined, hardheaded, horny-handed settlers, stuck to the land cheerfully, although often short of money and practically no comforts. A little comfort or recreation [ was out of the question, as every penny had to go out in wages. Bufc I it is pleasing to note that the battle I is over, and these stout-^e^rted" 's&ir ! tiers have won for themselves t l he goal ; of comfoi-p, ..^ | , One of these transformed' ■ I k Awatea, the homestead of Mr A IJ. 'Speedy, and there has just bee.i ereCMM ixtedeni nine-roomed houtc. with all the latent conveniences. l> f and Mrs Speedy were their own architects, and,the building reflects thd greatest credit on them. Everything that is in any way conducive to extra work is avoided. If women oan manage a house, they ought to be able vc, plan one, and in this case Mrs Speedy has had a house built to her own liking. Hot and cold water is laid on, andi acetylene gas is fitted. A threequarter billiard table stands in the large dining room. In fact, the house is one of the most-up-to-date in the district. The comfort of the employees is always uppermost in Mr Speedy's mind, and there is a snug cottage, standing in a cosy spot, for the men. The situation of the homestead is all that can be desired, being sheltered by a plantation and a tennis lawn on the west side, while across thp creek are the golf links. Everything in the immediate vicinity seems to breathe a spirit of kindliness, comfort, goodwill and good cheer.- Tho work was carried out by Mr C. E. Daniell, of Marterton, and is another n> stance of his ability as a builder. CARTERTON. _ There will be some keen, competition at the show next month under the auspices of the South Wairarapa Poultry Association, in the Indian Runner duck class for the North Island championship. Birds are promised from Blenheim and Hastings, which are -said to be something out of'the ordinarv.

Mr T. G. Underbill, who has be?n on a .holiday trip to Australia, accompanied iby his daughter, re-turn-ed home on Wednesday evening.

The Carterton Golf Club is arranging to get the services of a professional coach for the benefit .of the new followers of the game. The death occurred at Ohristehurcth on Tuesday #f Miss Agnes Meßae, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs John Mcßae, of Carterton, after a short illness. Deceased was of a- quiet, reserved nature, and esteemed -by all who had -the pleasure of her acquaintance: - Much. •sympathy is "felt for' the bereaved parents and relatives. The funeral took place at the OlareviUe Cemetery on Thursday afternoon. At the half-yearly meeting of the Totara Lodge, U.A.0.D., a challenge to a football match was received from Oroua. Lodge, Palmerston North, and it was decided to suggest that the .match be played at Carterton towards the end of August. The election of officers resulted:— A.C., Bro. R. Canton; V.A., Bro W. Abbott; Secretary, Bro. H. Hart; Treasurer, Bro. W. H. Baillie; L.G., Bro. P. Redd; O.G. Bro McKenzie; A.CB.'s, Bros.. C. Oarlett, and C. ,Lee; V.A.B.'s, Bros. B. Rayner, aaid H. Hutcheson'; Musician, Bro. V. Fairbrotner; Auditor, Bro. J. MonoriefF. Bro. McKenzie, P.A., was presented with a handsome Past Aroh collar, and Bro. R. Canton with a useful watch for the first prize for . introducing tihe most new members during the year. Bro. W. Abbott received the second prize, a neatly designed gold brooch.