Waiting between dances at a ball.
Meghan Hawkes reviews some of Waipā’s talking News points from 1896.
The young men of Ōhaupō gave a Bachelors’ Ball in weather described as downright nasty with plenty of mud. Despite this the ball was a decided success, with over 100 guests attending.
A newspaper correspondent mused that “Old heads wonder why people should come such long distances in such bad weather for the sake of a dance, but many of those old fogies did foolish things themselves when they were young. My advice is enjoying your courting days young people, for you will find them the happiest days of your life”.
The hall was nicely, but not too profusely, decorated and the music excellent. Refreshments were handed round at intervals, which seemed to be far more enjoyable than a regular sit-down supper. The correspondent’s observations continued “There were plenty of well-dressed good looking young girls, and I can say the same of the young men. In the early days, one did not see so many white shirts and black coats at a ball as you do now, but I reckon we were just as good looking for all that.”
At Te Awamutu the appearance of the Post Office was very much improved by a new picket fence around the grounds which replaced an ancient unsightly paling fence. Another matter of considerable satisfaction to settlers was that Mr Vause, postmaster, had had an electric bell attachment fitted up in connection with the post office telephones. Any of the country officers could now ensure communication with the Te Awamutu office in cases of emergency, at any time of the night, or on Sundays and holidays.
Quite a sensation was created at Kihikihi by the discovery of what seemed to be an oil spring of some kind. It was on land adjoining the western boundary of the township, and about 300 yards to the rear of the Star Hotel, where there had been for years a small lagoon. A boy was first sent into the water, and, taking off his boots and turning up his trousers, drove through the soft mud a stick about the thickness of a broom handle. On withdrawing the stick, an oily-like bubble shot up, and flowed over the surface, having a strong tarry smell. When a lit match was applied to it, it ignited, blazed up, and burnt the boy’s legs. A gentleman resident in Kihikihi, but late of Taranaki, declared it appeared identical to the kerosene springs he saw there.
When Mr Herbert was working on the Hairini cutting, a mob of cattle were driven past by Mr Vercoe. As the cattle came along Mr Herbert went down the side of the embankment to be out of the way, but two of the animals did not keep to the road, and one lowered its head and made a beeline for him. Mr Herbert had his spade with him and being an old soldier placed it in the position of a bayonet. The steer and spade collided, turning the animal which then joined its mates on the road. Herbert and Vercoe then had a few words on the subject.
Waiting between dances at a ball.
