TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2990, 12 September 1891, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

OOBSK.—What a source nf danger, irrespective o£ its other many qualities as a nuisance of the first order, gor.se is now fast becoming was amply demonstrated several times last week. There are several acres of this bright golden shrub among the vacant allotments of Ta Awainutu, although in this respect I think both Alexandra, and Cambridge can civo us points. In Roache-strnet, in particular, there n a corner allotment, owned by an absentee, covered every inch of it with tins prolific weed, standing at least twelvu feet high. The district school adjoins this on the one side, and on the other is Mrs Millers cottage. On the other siJo again of tins lady's dwelling stretches a f<;.v acres of endowments now all resplendent in the glory of flowering gorse, as high as a house. The danger that Mrs Miller is in boxed in between furzo as high as her own roof can be imagined. Last Wednesday the gorso on the endowment portion caught (ire, and blazed merrily for an hour or two, until it had burnt itself out. Luckily a strong northeast wind was blowing, and it carried the flames away from the house, but no damage was done; but rather the reverse, for now the source of daneer from that quarter is removed. But had the portion on the windward side of tho house causrnr, or had tho wind been in the other direction, the cottago must have gone, and its widowed occupant left homeless and destitute, all because absentee owners are too icenn or too careless and negligent to do the duty they owe to their neighbours of clearing and 'keeping clear their various sections. On tho previous Saturday night another clump of gorse took tire and burnt about half-a-acre on tho lulu ki hi Road. This adjoined a bouse now ueciiniqd by Mr Price, and had it not been fur irs iron roof, it must have gone, for sparks and burning brands kept falling on it all the time, and one large burning branch fell on tie verandah, but was at once aeuti and the danger averted. Special legislation and strong determined action on the part ot the local bodies is the only thing that will stamp down or keep under this furze nuisance, for at tho rate it is spreading in country townships it will soon be master of the situation unless firmly taken in hand. Young Waikato.— At the public presentation at the Choral Hall, Auckland, a fortnight ago, Mr Emile Aubin, of Alexandra, received his diploma for the is. \. degree. Ho is the first Waikato boy that has obtained the distinction, and not only his friends in his native township, but all Waikato may well be proud of him. He is now in London, studying medicine, and will, I am certain, keep up tho reputation of his district by gaining fresh laurels as he advanees in his profession.