PIRONGIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 519, 28 November 1899, Page 4

PIRONGIA.

Death.—There were no smiling faces to be seen in cur township on Thursday last, when the news of the death of our old fellow settler Ml Ernest Wickham, of Te Awamutu, became generally known. Mr Wickham had resided here and about the district for the last 25 years, as a storeketper and accountant, and from Ids generous and kind hearted disposition was a friend and confidant of everyone ; ever raady to assist in any of our local amusements his home was the rendezvous of all who came from any disanee to attend them, one and all being assured of a hearty welcome, the more the merrier. The deceased gentleman had been a great sufferer for several months past from a gathering in the car, and some weeks back went to Te Awamutu for closer medical attendance. On Wednesday last he made every preparation to return home here ou the following day, sending messages to his friends saying he would he back the next day and hoped soon to be at work again. The deceased, who was then lodging at Mrs Chalmers', was in capital spiiits and walked about the township. At 10 p.m. that night he complained to h ; s wife that the pain in his head was mote excruciating than ever, and shortly afterwards became unconscious Dr. Pairman was at once sait for, but could uot do anything for him. Deceased remained unconscious until 10 a.m., when he parsed away. The Rev. Mr Latter, who has been very attentive to him, was present and said the prayers for the dying. Mr Wickham'B death will leave a blank here that cannot be filled. He was one of the most unselfish of meu, generous to a fault, if that be possible. As it was deemed advisable, the funeral took place next day, his Te Awamutu friends taking charge of the airangements, a large number of whom accompanied the funeral procession to our cemetery and whose numbers were considerably augmented by settlers on the road and those who went to mtet them from this end of the district-, bo that on the arrival of the body at the cemetery, there was a large number of mourners. The Rev. Mr Latter impressively read our beautiful burial service and hymn No. 225 was sung by the Alexandra choir. There were tears in many an eye present, a touching evidence of the esteem the deceased held in the hearts of the mourners. The deceased has left a widow and a stepson and stepdaughter, to whom he has been all a father should be. They are held in respect by all—one, Miss Evelyn Prentice was e-ily a week ago appointed by the Government to the position of Postmistress at Otorohanga in succession to Miss Davidson, who was married to Mr James McQueen, our respected fellow settler here only a week ago, now his unhappy widow. Mrs Wickham and family wish to express their thanks for the kindness of their many frienda at Te Awamutu received by them in their bereavement. That misfortune seldom comes alone was fully exemplified hire on Thursday last, when all were in grief at the news of the death of Mr Wickham the death of Mr McQueen came as a sudden shock. It seems almost inconceivable only a week before he had brought home his bride, the daughter of our respected fellow settler Mr Davidson. Mr McQueen was a victim of heart disease. An attack of influenza accentuated this and caused his lamented death. The deceased Mr McQueen was a nephew of the late Mrs Alexander Grant, and inherited her property here, and resided on his farm. He was a very industrious and a hardworking settler. His widow has the sympathy of the entire district in her suddeu bereavement. The funeral of Mr McQueen took place on Sunday afternoon, the Rev. Walter Smith, Presbyterian Minister, officiating. There was an assemblage of upwards of 80 mourners at deceased's residence, who followed his remains to the cemetery, the majority on horseback. Pulpit References.—At the divine service here on Sunday morning the Rev. Mr Latter, Anglican minister, preached a most eloquent sermon, in which reference was made to the deaths of our th:ee old settlers, viz., Messrs Richard Bosonko, Ernest Wickham, and James Mc Queen. The rev. gentleman took his text from the 14th chapter of Genesis, 15th verse, and was most attentively listened to.

New Chukcu. —At a meeting of the parishioners after the service on Sunday it was agreed to proceed with the building of the new church here at once. Mr G.J. Berry informed the meeting that there was now some £IOO in hand and good promises that would make the building fund up to £l5O. Miss Miller had augmented her subscription of £25 to £SO, and that lady had declared her willingness to augment it by a further sum if necessary. It was agreed that MrMandeno, of Te Awamutu, be asked to furnish a plan and estimate for building a church en the lines of a roush sketch prepared by Mr Berry. A working bee will be called for next Thursday week to clear the ground. Dr. Adijfn.—Much satisfaction is fe't here that our fellow-townsman, Dr. Emile Aubin, has been selected from a large number of candidates for the responsible position of surgeon to the Thames Hospital, and the Hospital Board are to be congratulated on their selection. From a boy be lias been to the fore, as is evidenced by the number of prizes he took when at school in Auckland, and his brilliant success at Home as a medical student proves that the anticipation of his friends that he would distinguish himsell as a man have been fulfilled. As house surgeon of the Middlesex Hospital he gained great experience, of which the patients in the Thames Hospital will have the benefit.

War and Politics.—-The war is, o course, the principal topic of ennversa tion in the district, Tc Rau a-Moa perhaps excepted. In that locality politics reign supreme all along the line of camps. It appears as if there was more than a fair proportion of verbose can vassers for the Government candidate to the number of road-maker?. Some of these can expatiate on all the good things the Seddou Government have done and the wonderful things that will happen to the labour classes, if they only vote for Dr. Hosking ; they put the doctor's own eloquence into the shade entirely, expansive as it is. One of these orators, after an oration that would put a " cheop jack " in the shade for verbosity, after his breakfast, broke 15 eggs into a frying pan, with plenty of fat, cooked and eat the lot, and just to finish off, sucked a dozen of raw ones. He travels about and says he requires Btistcnance.

Whatiwuatihok Huidgk. The repairs to the Wbatiwhatihoe bridge arc now neariiiu completion. The work has been some what delayed oil account of so much rain of late, but all the time Mr Forsyth has so managed as to keep it open for traffic. It may be considered almost a new l;ridge, only differing in that it i 3 a little narrower than the old one All that is watited to complete the work satisfactoiily, now there is so much traffic over it, is to widen the approach on the south side, which, in heavy rain, forms into gutters, and is hard to get up. It is to be "hoped the Government will see to this, as it is not in Mr Forsyth's contract.-(Own Corresr«adent).