TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2043, 11 August 1885, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

On n former occasion in alluding to the shooting during last season, I stated that two gentlemen had bagged twonty-nine and a-half brace of pheasants in the native country. I got my infoimatio'i from one of the two, and naturally I buhcu'd it, but it turns out that the gentleman nude a veiy successful attempt to lival the immoital Munchausen. The bat* w.is ten and <i half brace, and instead of two, there weie, I bolievc, three guns, and my mfounant only bagged three and a-half brace, instead of 14}, as he told me at fiist, but ho fiiod more than 14£ brace of shots for his «e\en birds. Novt time ho goes shooting I should advise him to take some salt. It will serve a double purpose ; he cm put some on the birds' tails, and giv e some with his ne\t bird story to enable his hearer to swallow it. During the last few days of the season four gentlemen went up the country, and though three at least of the party were good shots, they could only get 2M brace of birds. They shot on the road up, one day round the settlements, and on the road back. Three of the new buildings to replace thone burned down nre finished. One ha« been in occupation tance the Ist, and the other two will bo occupied in a few days. These .ire the saddler's shop for Mr Roffey, and Mr Budgman's new store. Thoy arc a, credit to tho contractors, Messrs Potterton, Ohye and Ranch. They nru a groat improvement on the* old buildings, being much larger, loftier and better lighted, and will compare favourably with any shops in Waikato, both for accommodation fmd finish. Mr Lewis' new hotel is appioachmg com pletion. It is on a far better, and more comfortable and convenient plan tluw the former one. The passages are 111010 spacious, and have bettei communication with each other. In the event of fire there will bo absolute safety for the minute*, fora balcony runs round two sides of the house, and there is also an outer •■tancasn which will render escape peifectly sure. Over the upper htorev will be a- tank capable of holding about 2000 gallons of w ater. Tlih. with a supply of hrc grenades, w ill minimi-* the risk of loss by fire. All the new buildine-s are rooted with iron inste.id of shingles, which will also materially reduce the risk.— (Own Correspondent.)