A VISIT TO PAHI

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 183, 3 February 1893, Page 6

A VISIT TO PAHI

Your delinquent scribe, who, it is to be feared, has not been keeping you at all well posted up on matters of local interest lately, took the opportunity afforded on Wednesday, Janu iry 11th, of paying a visit to that healthy little riverside resort, Pahi, upon the occasion of the ‘ Horticultural and Industrial Exhibition,’ recently promoted and brought to a successful termination by a number of the residents there. Pahi, when viewed from the deck of the approaching steamer, or from the -neighbouring hills or highway*, presents more particularly when the tide is full, a somewhat pret y appearance. Its encircling beach of white shingle, washed by the blue waters of the Arapauu, the houses of the residents, some partly hidden amongst the pine trees, with the hills in the background, its river on whose bosorn may sometimes ha seen two or more irnber vessels riding peacefully at anchor—these are sights pleasing to the eye. Nor is the township of Pabi without its points, of interest to the sightseer, situated on the projecting point of land where the Arapaua river is joined by its tributary, the Pahi, it possesses excellent, deep water accommodation, in fact so good that any of the steamers of the Northern Union Steamboat Company wbici visi the place twice weekly, can run alongside the wharf at low water with perfect safety. Vessels of much greater draught of water, can, if I rni--taice not, do the same. Conspicuous among the buildings on shore stands the large store of Mr Chadwicks, who wi h his branch store at l aparoa, drives a t jirivi.ug trade in these parts. Thu Post office, school, and public hull all, occupy positions on the rising ground. The township also boasts its notel, now kept by Mr .F. T. Howard, Across the liver is the Pahi steam Sawmill. This mill, formerly owned and worked by Air Simmonds some few years back was purchased by Air Chadwick, and is now under the efficient management of Mr W. Afleis. Since the change of nauds took place great improvements have been effected and the mill now gives employment to a consider able number of men. and turns out a large quantity of s.twu timber weekly. It is a common sight to see two vessels loading here for Australian pints Adjacent .o the mill is the new store of Air Jackman’s, while from the river the grade rood winds away, eventually connecting with the Ba'tiey-Muuugutarcto road. Nest Jing amongst the bush on the hillside is a tnaori ( mausoleum,’ where repose the bones of departed numbers of that noble race which the white man is supplanting. The Pahi river is a good navigable channel, and could be easily traversed by steamers of the present ‘ fleet ’ for several miles beyond the Point, were there, I 1 •resume, sufficient inducement m the way of trade Pahi and neighbourhood is the scene of the events related in the ‘ Brighter Britain,’ of lie Lisle Hay, and it is interesting when at a gathering at the township, to ‘ spot out ’ those local celebrities, who, under nom deplumes given them by the writer, played prominent parts in that interesting, though somewhat romantic

A. y of amusing Colonial experiences in the eaxij days. It WAS at Pahi that the early settlers

and their families, some perhaps fresh from the streets of’London, after roughing it in the cutter from Heleusville, rook up their temporary abode, awaiting till the clumsy operations of the Government allowed of their selecting or settling on tlioir own sections further in the ‘ backwoods.’ The old ‘ barracks,’ built for their accommodation are still standing, forming now a storeroom for goods etc., and constitute an interesting memento of jtioneer hardships and vioisitudes of days gone by. The inhabitants of Pahi, though few iu number, are uot apparently lacking iu enterprise, and a few months biok a number of the leading spirits conceived the idea of holding a ‘ Horticultural and Industrial Exliibi ion.’ A committee of management was appointed, Mr W. N, Clapperton undertaking the duties of Secretary. The resuit of the efforts taken iu hand was the calling together of the public to a nice little Show on the 11th January in the Pahi Hall Shortly after 2p.m on ihat day. the judging having been completed, the doors of tile building were thrown open and a stream of visitors entered the Hall. Mr It. Thompson, M.H.R., who had come from Wangarei In order to be present, ascended the platform shortly afterwards and with a few appropriate remarks addressed those assembled. Our member, who. judging from appearances, has not. allowed the worry and overwork of p> irliamemary life to prey upon his good health or spirits, expressed the great pleasure he felt iu being there on the occasion of the Exhibition, and seeing so many handsome ladies present. Air Thompson spoke of the beneficial effect such institutions have, parlicularly on the young people, also being useful as a. means of removing the ion 1 jealousies and sad feelings which unfortunately are found existing sometimes between seltlement and settlement, and without the breaking up of which, North Auckland would not progress. He spoke of the signs of improvement which were becoming manifest, and expressed his opinion that I'ahi had a good future before it, if the settlers would continue to 1 forge ahead.’ The speaker concluded his address by formally declaring the Exhibition open. The interior of the Hall was decorated with nikau e c,, and the exhibits were placed round the ,-ides and iu the middle of the building. Down the centre was a long table, on which were arranged b uquets of cultivateduod rialiveflowers, pot plants, Aew Zealand busii ferns etc. The artistic and tasteful way in which the flowers and ferns were mingled and arrayed in bunches, spoke volumes for the appreciation of the beautiful existing amongst the exhibitors. Had it been earlier in the season, however, the display would have been much better than it was. This will probably be improved on uexi year if the Exhibition is Continued, as I believe it will be. The Indus!rial exhibits occupied tables at sides of the building. The articles in the ladies’ department—those many nicknacks which it is the delight, of the fair sex to spend their time and labuur in manufacturing —looked, as far as our pool- judgment could discern, remarkably well, and executed with great taste ; however, not being versed in the ‘ arts ’ referred to, we shall not stop to enumer ate. In short, such are hardly in the line of

‘Yours ’umbly.’ The exhibits of cakes, wines etc., though few in number, were calculated to lhake the mouth water ; the last mentioned particularly so, it being a somewhat hot and muggy day. Mr E. Adams was principal exhibitor in this class (wines). Airs Chadwick exhibited a superb ice-cake, which really appeared quite a work of art, in fact it was taken by one person to be the work of a professional confectioner. An uxo and adze handle made from white ti-tree (exhibitor, A. Rintoul) were also shown. These wore really splendidly made and finished, reflecting great credit on the maker. The collection of N. Zealand woods, exhibited by Mr J. De Labrosse, were nicely polished and got up, though lia 1 the collection been larger it would have doubtless attracted more notice. A veneered table top, manufactured by Mr Adams, drew the attention and admiration of visitors. Some crockery ware of the sixteenth century with other ancient relics, together with a collection of coins, proved of inter-eft to those who have a taste for the old fashioned and the antique. Conspicious in a comer of he Hail was a Alexic m’s saddle and * cowboy’s ’ outfit, lent by Air Shakespear—a most unique and clinical ‘ turn-out ’ which caused codsiderable attention and comment. These last named articles were of course merely lent for the occasion, to swe.l the exhibits and not intended fur competition A collection of phottgraphs of local scenery etc., taken by Mr F Somuer. very well executed, occupied a place on the stage part of the building ; these included views of the Gibraltar flocks (Pahi River), Mount Afar,.homo, and other local scenery. A number of paintings (s ane local) were-al-so on exhibition, iu an adjacent p sitiou to the photos. In the ladies department we noticed several prizes taken by ladies from Papavoa, who seemingly do uot intend to bo ‘ bested’ altogether by tlioir Pahi friends. Taken as a whole the Pahi Horticultural and Industrial Society’s first show, though comparatively small, was we consider most successful, the exhibits, though not numerous, beiug of good quality aud considering the late period of tlic season the committee and exhibitors are to be congratulated on the success which has a tended their efforts' Much work and trouble attaches to undertaking's of this nature and many are perhaps not, apt to think of the responsibiliiy which rests rather heavily on the shoulders of the willing few who have the management of affairs. THE EVENING CONCERT. Perhaps the most interesting' part of the day’s amusement was the evening entertainment, presided over by Air R. Thompson. Tlie announcement that Aliss Alice Rimmer, of Helensville, now so popular in musical circles, was to assist was quite sufficient to attract a large number to assemble and tho building was crowded almost t- TFocation ; a number could not find seats. Wo need hardly say that Miss dimmer was encored eacii time, in fact, in respect of a singer so well and favouiably known, any remarks are unnecessary : besides which we are not in a position to pass any. The other items were also well rendered, and the heartiest thanks are due to all who so kindly assisted and contributed to the evening’s enjoyment. The pro-

gramme was briefly as follows ' —Pianoforte duett 1 The Snepherd’s Evening Song,’ Mrs P. Gibson and Miss De Labrosse; Song ‘ "Wishes and Eislies,’ Miss McHardy ; Song ‘ The Blind Girl to her Harp,’ Miss Rimmer, who responded to an enthusiastic encore with 1 Sweet Spirit Hear my Prayer Violin solo ‘ Las Cloches de i’ornevitle,’ Mr W. Hook ; Song ‘The Musical Wife,’.Master R. Aitkon (encored). An interval of five minutes was followed by an instrumental duett by Miss J. McMasters and Miss N. Chadwick ‘ Gaiete de Coeur’; Song 1 Home Dreary Home,’ Alis 3 McHardy ; Duett ‘The May Bolls and the Flowers,’ Mrs Chadwick and Alisa Rimmer ; Song ‘ New Zealand by tho Sea,’ Air A. H. Whitehouse, encore ‘ Sweethearts and Wives Song * The Better Land,’ Aliss Rimmer, encore ‘ Song that Reached my Heart.’ AI-r Thompson moved, at the conclusion, a vote of thanks to the performers, which was carried by acclamation, the chairman receiving the thanks of the meeting for his presence as a return compliment. The national anthem brought the concert to a close Dancing fallowed, music for which was provided by Alessrs Nu tsford and VV. Hook, piano and violin. Nob having gone into details I am not prepared to furnish you w ith the prize list etc. possibly, however, the brief sketches of the exhibition and tho few remarks I have jolted down on Pahi and its surroundings, will provo of equal interest to your readers, perhaps more so than a dry list of names and awards, which would probably be left unscanned, It is interesting to note that the Committee have a balance in hand for commencing operations next year.—[Paparoa Correspondent.]