TINUI NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3915, 17 September 1891, Page 2

TINUI NOTES.

(Frem Our Own Correspondent.)

The Atlas fiend paid Tinui a yisit the other afternoon. It was astonishing how quickly the t-übscribers became aware of the fact. As the trap with a white horse in the shafts came rattling along the pavement, heads came bobbing out of windows in all directions; while here and there victims could be seen scooting through paddocks, and along the bye-ways and hedges eagerly looking for hen's nests, but the nest egg that was wanted was not there. A young man on the Grampian hills (his father feeds bis flock) volunteered to ride round and warn subscribers, and a steed fleet of foot was quickly procured. From night till morn, and from morn to dewy eye, the messenger sped on his way, carrying the tidings. When the fiends started on their tour, nineteen out of twenty victims were away from home, and not expected back for two or three days. The twentieth man was a btave; they were more successful with him, and bearding the lion in his den, delivered fourteen copies. Thinking this was the whole consignment, he said he thought it was a bit rough, getting them all at once, but supposed he had better write a cheque and be done with them. When the fiend had pocketed the cheque he said, " You might as well take the rest of the copies now, and I shant have to trouble you again." '« The rest of what copies ? ha vent I got 'em all?" replied the victim. " No," said the fiend, " There are forty two of them." "You be get out of this or I'll " exclaimed the irate subscriber, and the fiend beat a hasty and undignified retreat to his trap, while the Atlases came flying after him and fluttered into the gutter! Subscribers are now anxiously awaiting those invitations, so delicately printed on blue, and the " at home" in the Master ton Court house will be well attended by representatives from this part of the Wairarapa. The Bushby relief fund now amounts to over fifty pounds. After paying off 1 the liabilities incurred during sick ness, the balance, I understand, is to 1 be handed to the widow, in small weekly instalments. Another fifty pounds has been col- ; lected for the Castlepoint races, so there is no sign of hard times m this district.

TII9 lambing season is the best ever experienced, and grass is abundant; verily, it is a land overflowing with milk and money. The Castlepoint races should prove to be a big thing. With such energetic stewards it could not be otherwise than successful.

The meeting of ratepayers in the Road Board office ou Friday last was well attended. Mr F. Maunsell was voted to the chair. Ratepayers had an opportunity ot airing their grievances, and took full advantage of it; but as the complaints were not intended for the outside ear, I shall not give a full report. Mr R. Maunsell's suggestion that the roads should be conserved during the winter months, is the only true solution of the diffi-1 cult problem. We shall never have I good roads as long as heavily-laden waggons and drays are allowed to churn them up during wet and frosty weather. As already notified, thej resolution that an additional rate be | struck to assist the County Council in the maintenance and repairs of the County roads in this district, was carried by a narrow majority, but if the property qualification votes had : been taken, the majority would have been much larger. Councillor Groves is to be congratulated on the success of the meeting, and he it was who originated the idea of higher iates and better roads. Let outlying settlers, who opposed the motion, take heart of grace, as with such men as Councillors Groves and Maunsell to represent them, they need be under no apprehension of their money being ill spent* After the ratepayers meeting' a yery pleasing ceremony was performed, viz., the presentation to the Rev. J. C. Andrew, M.A., of a handsome solid silver salver and tea and coffee service. Mr R. Maunsell made the presentation in a few well chosen words, and Mr Andrew, who was taken completely by surprise, and was much affected, briefly replied, thanking the residents. The pieces; which are of the Queen Ann style, are very handsome, and manufactured by the well known firm of E Iking ton and Co., of Birmingham, bore the following inscription:—" Presented to the Rev. J. C. Andrew, M. A., by the residents of the Whareama district, as a slight recognition of his valuable and gratuitous servioes in conducting Divine worship for so many years."— Mr Andrew will resume Divine service in the Town Hall next Sunday, and we look forward with pleasure to again listen to his interesting fifteen minutes sermon, which contrasts' so pleasantly with the sermon of our youth, when we were tortured for two solid hours, pinching ourselves to keep awake, and racking our brain vainly trying to remember tho text, well knowing that when we get home it would be no text—no cake.

Misfortunes never come singly. This was never more fully exemplified than in the case of Chong Chong (> the Chinese hawker. He was driving* his heavily laden van from Castlepoint to Tend this morning (Tuesday), and when ahout haif way up the big hill, his horse suddenly dropped down dead, having apparently broken a blood vessel, as a large quantity of blood flowed from the animal's mouth on to the road. Willing hands assisted him to get the horse out of the way of traffic and the cart was run down the hill some distance. Chong Chong then returned to Whakataki, and with the assistance of Mr Dunn borrowed a horae from Mr T. R Smith, landlord of the Marine Hotel. Harnessing the horse to the van he made another start, but the animal, seeing the pool of blood, snorted and backed, with the result that the vehicle ran over the steep embankment, dragging the horse after it. The declivity at this part is fngbt- ' fully steep, and some hundreds of feel deep. At the bottom is a steep ravine or dry creek. A bystander who witnessed the accident, describes it as painfally sickening. When the wheels began to go over he called to the Chinaman to jump. Fortunately he did so, and got clear. The horse went over the vehicle, and the vehicle went over the horse several times as they rolled down the fearful precipice, increasing in velocity until they lodged in the ravine below a tangled, crushed, and undistinguishable mass. A number of settlers have gone out to render what assistance they can. Mr Smith had only purchased the horse a few days ago, the price paid being £2O, so that the accident is a Berious matter for the Chinaman, and hi 3 absence from the flowery land is likely to be a pro* longed one,