KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 173, 21 August 1897, Page 2

KIHIKIHI.

Quiet Timks.—Business and things in general have been very quiet here for the past few weeks, and news of any sort has been very scarce. The Kative Land Court at Otorohanga lias drawn some of our to that place, and many of the native* who usually trade here have for a time forsaken Kihikihi. The Waif-a County Council and the Kihikihi -Te Awamotu Road.—The account in The Argus some little time ago of the discussxn at the last meeting of this tody re a proposed loan to reconstruct the Kihikitii-Tc Aivamutu Koud lias caused much interest and comment here. It is generally considered that tliis sudden .apparent awakening to the fact that the road in question requires any 6t'ous attention and the extreme measures proposed may be taken to mean that the Council do not intend to have any improvements made in the ordinary way of voting a portion of the money at their disposal, in tact, that the road is to be considered a sort of hopeless case, as in the pas>t, so far as the Council are concerned. It was at any rate refreshing to read that one of the councillors for the Rangiaohia Riding had stated that the road was a disgrace to the Council. Many ratepayers are puzzled to know why the road in particular should be considered incapable of improvement by the Council by the mederate and fair thare of expenditure of the funds at their disposal from time to time. It is certainly a road carrying i great deal of heavy wheel and other traffic, but there is not a single chain of the road but what can be easily drained, and there is none of it of a swampy nature. A councillor also stated that 30 trucks of gravel had been laid on this road dnring the list six months and it had all disappeared into the sea of mud. Perhaps this was a misprint, and should read 30 yards or 30 drayloads, for we are not generally aware of any gravel having been putonexceptonafew chains towards the Te Awamutu end, which was laid in autumn last and has redeemed that portion of the road (formerly one of the worst flats) from becoming the usual winter sea of mud. That a good metal road would le far more satisfactory and permanent a work is of course patent to anyone, but considering the already sufficiently taxed state of the ratepayers and the unprofitable state of fanning this is out of the question.

Concert and DaXCK. —The conceit in aid of the Kihikihi Football Club's funds, which was held in the Town Hall On Wednesday night last, was an unqualified success. The committee have reason to congratulate themselves on having prepared a good programme, the whole of the items being contributed by our Kihikihi musical people, and the arrangements tor Loth the concert and the dance was all that could be desired. The night was not altogether a favourable one as regards the weather, but the attendance was very good, and the club oucht to net a good few pounds towards their funds. In the absence of the club's president Mr Hutchinson kindly gave out the different items. Punctually at eight o'clock the following programme . commenced, and -was kept merrily going until about ten o'clock, after which the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up till nearly three o'clock in the morning. Programme:—Part I: Overture, " The Caliph of Bagdad," Mes.. dan.es Hutchinson and Ellis (piano), and Mr !?. Armstrong (violin) ; it was well rendered and loudly applaudsd ; soug, "Nea," Mrs Gardiner, who was in good voice, and judging from her reception is as popular now as when Miss Maunder ; she was awarded numerous bouquets and an encore; song, " Enniscorthy," Mr Clark ; the get up and general effect was immense, and took the fancy of the juveniles, and an encore was loudly demanded ; song, " Grace Darling," Miss Ross, a sweet song very well sung and greatly appreciated : song, " Anchored," Mr A. Brett ; Mr Brett has a good voice, and his first appearance here made a good impression ; loudly encored and last verse repeated ; song, " The Holy City," Miss Doyle ; this lady has a beautiful sweet and clear voice, and only requires a little more confidence on the stage ; well received and loudly applauded ; song, comic, "There Are Things That Are Batter Not To Dwell On," Mr S. Armstrong ; this item was a great hit, and caused roars cf laughter ; Mr Armstrong is undoubtedly cut out for the stage, his appearance and facial contortions at times alone Leing enough to secure applause ; in response to a vociferous encore he gave "(Jet Your Hair Cut." Part 11. : Song, " The Song That Reached My Heart," Miss Doyle, who was again very successful and well received; song, "Flight of Ages," Mr Brett, who was even more appreciated than before; song, " I'icrot," Miss Ross, sweetly and feelingly rendered ; violin solo, Mr S. Armstrong, a beautiful item, and the musical gem of the evening ; Mr Armstrong ought to favour us oftener, his execution and expression on this instrument being splendid ; song, " The Irish Jubilee," Mr Clark, another comic item which was more a feat of memory than a display of music ; he was again compelled to reappear amidst deafening shouts ; song, "Boyhood's Dream," Wis Gardiner, an exceedingly pretiy song, to which the singer did full justice; song liddlc and I," Mrs Ellis (viol.n ob.gatobyMr Armstrong), very tastefully rendered and much appreciated ;. convc duet, I Don't Want to Play in Your laid (revised edition), Messrs A. Brett and K Oorrie; this item fairly brought down the house, and is a capital parody on the popular ditty of that name, last verse repeated. Mesdamcs Hutchinson and Gardiner and Mr F. Corboy, who played the accoinoaniments, gave every satisfaction.—(Own Correspondent).