PIRONGIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 245, 8 February 1898, Page 3

PIRONGIA.

Fires AND Frost.—We, the Upper Waipi residents, have had our full share of the calamitous fires, gales and frosts so prevalent intheWaikato la t week. For the fires we have not even the satisfaction of blaming the railway engines, and of course the Government, for our share of the damage done. Mr Kobert Ormsby's, sen., homestead had a nil row escape of being destroyed, the fire entirely surrounding his dwellinghouse and buildings. All, fortunately, were iron-roofed, so with hard woik and ass'stunce from his sons and family the premises were saved, but considerable damage has been doue to his gardeu and the surrounding trees, which were all on fire. Tie fire travelled for miles and reached Kaipihi, where a sttuggle had to be made, but an opposition fire beirg started kept it under control. Mr H. Bell was unfortunate in getting hs stack of oats entirely destroyed ly fie. The stubble round the stack was fet on fire, and iu spite of nil exerrons the stack was destroyed. The most serious visitation has been the fiost last Wednesday. The whole of the loot crops right np to Te Kuiti have been bitten off, together with the maiza crop, pumpkins and a'l the garden produce. Of peaches snd plums few aie left on the trees. The only tettler in the district I have heard o' whose crops were not injured by the trost is Mr W. James, of Te Rote, whose potatoes escaped. Death —-A sad death occurred at Pankau on Wednesday last, that of M>s Aune Hall, w.fe r f Mr Henry Hall, and mother of Mr W. H. Hall. The deceased lady w'th her husband came out from England in May last to join their family here at P.irakau, adj >ining the Whatiwha'ihoc bhek. The deceased, after an active life in England, could no reconcile herself to New Zealand bush 1 fe, aud grieved for lur old English home. For some time past she had been suffering from heart disease, but no immediate danger was apprehended ; but lying down on Wednesday last the deceased passed painlessly away, to the great grief of her husband, son, aud grandchildren. The deceased and l.er bcreavid husband had been married upwards of 50 yenrs, and was 70 years of age. The interment took place on Sunday last in the Alexandra Cemetery. Mr C. A. Bow den, our respected lay reader, read the service most impressively. Thcie was a good attendance of friends of the family, who sinceiely mourned with them. (Own Correspondent).