TE AWAMUTU GOSSIP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2154, 29 April 1886, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU GOSSIP.

This place is flourishing like a prolific "gloria ninndi " apple trej, and liko that tree it is new with tae freshness nf youthful vigour. Tho conect descent of the "glory of the world " apple tree is according to "niMiiuin" authorities, doubtful, bat all who have seen and tasted its fruit must freely acknowledge it to be the offspring of noble, luxuriant, aristocratic— who should not aristocracy exist in vegetable as well a« human life— fruitful, arborescent, ancestors. So with Te Awamutu. Its very name has » ring melodioinly honourable, and the sensibility of prestige that surrounds it guarantees its high descent, and vouches for the place bearing such a name for future distinction. Like the gigantic— as compared with other fruit of the same class —apples of the above mentioned tree, Te Awamutu'B advance creates surprise, and awakes wonder at the mightiness of what her remote hereafter will be. Selfreliancy, at one time considered her bane, bus been the spur that redden* her plump cheek* to-day with gladueos. She is glad, for she has patiently borne the unmerited pooh-poohs of rivals, and from the retarding suffering thus caused whe suddenly springs into active pommerci.il life beautiful and merry as a sprightly maiden that once, suffering, knew, but now no longer knows the gnawing pangs of depressing toothache. The county council and town board are vicintr with each other in their endeavours i to improve the condition of the roads leading into »nd through the town. The side paths have been sodded up and nicely levelled, and the toft smooth surfaces thus formed havo been all over the township appropriated by the children for the present fashionable game of "hop-scotch." The game ought to be encouraged for, educationally speaking, it serves two ends, namely, the marking out of the lines in which the game is played teaches freehand drawing in its widest sense, and the routine teaches precision in kicking and physical agility. On Good Friday last, in the Wesleyan Chapel, Mrs Smalley and her mother, evangelists, appointed to assist the Rev. Mr Smalley in his revival tour through the colony, exhorted the people to repentance. They preached extemporaneously, fluently, earnestly and well, introducing in their discourses a kind pleading invitation to all to come up, there and then, sign the pledge against strong drink, and don the blue ribbon. Several of the congregation took the pledge, those signing, having a small piece of blue ribbon pinned upon the breast of their coats by one of the ladies, as sign manual of their »rdent desire for reformation. It is to be earnestly hoped those pledging themselves will remaiu stedfast to their solemn promise, if only, secularly speaking, for their earthy well-being, from which greater and more devout reformation may arise. On Easter Sunday the English Church was very nicely decorated with flowers. The Rev. Mr Ailoway conducted service in the evening, and preached a fine sermon, suitable for the occasion, to a, large congregation. The service was advertised as a full choral one, and the choir fully honoured the statement. To this church has not yet been appointed a minister to fill the vacancy caused by the Rev. E. Phillips' resignation, but I believe the bishop is likely soon to appoint a resident clergyman. Tho Public Hall has been re-roofed with corrugated iron, and it is intended to raise funds to pay the expense incurred by giving an entertainment, to conclude— no entertainment in this district is successful unless wound up with dancing— with a whirling around and setting to on the light fantastic toe. I have been informed the entertainment will consist of a Christy's minstrels performance, by local burnt-c»rk blackened amateurs. By-the-bye, some of the testimonials presented to Sir George Grey have tak«A a somewhat more substantial form than pen and ink autograph". I noticed going down by the train the other day a " trio " of Plymouth Rock fowls, which Mr T. Greiham has begged Sir George to accept. The Kawau is well worthy of tho fowl*, and as the birds were some of the best the donour hat yet raised, they will not disgrace their new residence. Egg* are 2s a dozen now, and fowls are valuable,?that is if they will only be prolific and lay Politics are lying latent, and our member had better come along and stir them up. Billt.

We insert a Maori advertisement from Mvi»f«'<aitt (>f two lost horses.