Taranaki Herald 20 September 1895

Tataraimaka

September 18. - In a quiet farming district like this where there is
no township, there is nothing of a very startling nature to write
about. In the early days when this district was laid out townships
were evidently considered necessary. All there is here in the shape
of public buildings is a school and teacher's residence situated
close to the main road in a very central position, and a small church
about one and half miles away in a very un-central position. It will
not require a very great stretch of the imagination to understand
that this does not give the place much the appearance of a township.
When the church was first built, only the open land of the district
was settled, and it was conveniently situated at that time, but later
on when the bush land was taken up and people settled on it, the
proper place for it was plainly seen to be somewhere near the school.
Services are held in the church once a month by the Rev Mr WALKER,
and once a month the pulpit is occupied by the Wesleyans.

In connection with Mr WALKER's services there is a choir practice
every fortnight under the able conductorship of Mr and Mrs WAREHAM,
who deserve great credit for the praiseworthy efforts that they are
making to instruct the young people of the district in the art of
singing. The young people too are entitled to great praise for the
way they have attended all through the winter, and the measure of
efficiency that they are attaining reflects great credit on all
concerned, while it speaks well for the perseverance. People who will
leave their homes and fireside on a dark and cold winter's night and
travel two or three miles to the church, a good part of the way along
a muddy road, and then be able to come up to concert pitch, deserve
well of their country; they must be actuated by very zealous motives.
The next thing will be to endeavour to make the services attractive,
surplices, college caps, and flowers. Possibly there may be some
difficulty in procuring the surplices and caps, but there will be no
trouble in getting the flowers; they are plentiful and cost nothing,
two very strong points in favour, more particularly the latter.
People who have flower gardens are generous to a degree.

An accident happened to one of Mr DUGGAN's sons here on Sunday. It
appears that two of his sons went away to the back of his farm to
catch their horses, and, when riding home, the horses became restive,
and playing up amongst the logs one of the boys (John), by some means,
fell off and dislocated his shoulder. Mr DUGGAN promptly took him into
town, where Dr O'CARROLL attended to the injured limb, and he was able
to return home the next day, and I am pleased to hear that he is doing
well.

Although we had very rough weather in the beginning of the winter, and
severe frosts later on, the warm moist weather early in the spring
caused the grass and other things to grow fully a fortnight earlier
than is usually the case. Cattle have come out of the winter in a
condition that will compare more than favourably with many past
seasons. Vegetable gardens are looking well. I have noticed rhubarb
growing in the open fit to pull, which speaks well for the climate.
The peach trees, too, are covered with blossom, and looking remarkably
well.