ALEXANDRA

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2419, 12 January 1888, Page 3

ALEXANDRA

School Picnic— Thr children's annual picnic as it is called, but in reality is largely patronized and enjoyed by the adults, came off on Tuesday last, as usual lit the Junction Farm, Piinju, ihe new propiietor, Mr Stokes, having kindly lent his grounds for the occasion. Our picnic is always Humorously attended small as our population is, but this year the attendance was great indeed, visitors arrinng from all quarters, all were made welcome however, and appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly, the only anxious one's being I imagine the ladies who kindly undertook the management of the affair, the commissural arrangements must have been severely taxed by so unusual a, number of guests. The Alexandra Band was in attendance and discoursed sweet music the whole of the day, which in itself was a great attraction. A ladies' cricket match was the event of the day, and well some of them could wield the bat, scoring their 20 run.". They should certainly s-end a challenge to some of the larger settlements, they would certainly acquit themselves in a creditable manner ; if this were done and some central place chosen, and the proceeds given to the hospital there is little doubt :i good sum would be realised for that institution, The usual games for the children, were provided, and small prizes awarded to the successful ones, which all heartily enjoyed. Mr Collier as manager and Mr Miles as starter, where, as usual, conspicious in providing for the amusement of the little ones. Mesdames Aubin, Collier, Sage, Harper, Smith, with Misses Finch, Burns and other ladies were attentive to the wants of all present, tea cakes, fruit and confectionery provided ad lib to all coiners, with a hearty welcome Messrs Aubin, Finch, Garmonsway and Sage kindly lent their traps to take the little ones out and home again. Before leaving hearty cheers were given by the youngsters to their entertainers and the band not for getting Mr Stokes for the use of his grounds. A dance at the Public Hall concluded the festivities. Poi.it'K CiiANOiM.— Our only representative of law and order, Constable Lowthcr, has been once more removed tn Te Awamutu, and Alexandra is without a policeman. Of course, this is retrenchment, but it may be a short-sighted one on the part of the Government, with so many natives in our immediate vicinity. The presence of a representative of the law had a good moral effect in inducing the young blood to behave themselves. Dysentky and this Native Cuke.— There has been a great deal of sickness in this locality of late, such as "dandy" fever, as it is called, also dysentry and diarrhoea. For the latter complaints, perhaps, it is not generally known, only to the old settlers, that nothing can be better than the native cure—viz., chewing the leaves of the korooiiko plant. In many years experience with myself and others, I have found it infallible—the relief is almost instantaneous. If not procurable the common burr, found in all hedges or rough feed, called Imtiwae or piri kawhau by the natives, will be a good substitute, by eating some of the burrs.