WAINGARO

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 324, 6 August 1898, Page 4

WAINGARO

Deaths.—Sickness and death have been rifo among the Maoris in the locality lately, partially attributable doubtless to the very changeable and tempestuous character of the weather. Joshua or Hohua, the Episcopalian minister at the Karaka. after being driven into Ngarttawahia, on Saturday, 23rd ult., on his way to the Waikato Hospital, died the following morning, and his body was brought back again the same day, and a tangi is now going on. Whika, a Maori from Ohatitira. >vas taken into Ngaruawahia on Friday, 22nd ult., and sent by train to the, hospital, suffering from typhoid fever; he died on Wednesday last. The Maoris generally leave aick cases too long before taking steps to cope with the disease, and their nursing isof the most wretched character. It is wonderful the way they sometimes recover from severe illnesses. The Weather.—The weather for the last week has been most tempestuous, vivid lightning and heavy thunder, with hail, rain, and, at times, sleet, telling heavily on stock of all kinds, and making our roads seas of mud, more particularly where they have been under construction on the co-operative system during the last three months ; there the mud is as deep as the earth has been moved. Your correspondent presumes this is one method of manufacturing a surplus, keeping back expenditure till the end of the financial year, and then moving earth at.a time when it does more harm than good, and this fatuous system is pursued year after year, to the great detriment of the country. Fete.—Mr and Mrs Wilson, of the Hot Springs Hotel, invited a number of friends to celebrate their second daughter's eighteenth birthday, which took place on Wednesday, 27th ultimo. About forty assembled to do honour to the occasion, and they were right royally entertained. The night was passed with music, songs, games, recitations and dances until Old Sol appeared in the east, when most wended their way home highly delighted with the night's fun. The spacious verandah in front of the house was enclosed, decorated with evergreens and hung with lanterns, making a most pleasant promenade, while the dining-room floor was in firstclass "{condition for tripping the light fantastic, and it is needless to say that the profusion of toothsome viands was enjoyed by all.—(Own Correspondent).