The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1901-08-09
The 'NeWtOWn Bee

LITCHFIELD COUNTY.
WASHINGTON.
WILLIAM COAD OF NEW ZEALAND
WRITES IN AN INTERESTING VEIN
TO MR. AND MRS OREsTEs HICKOX OF
WASHINGTON.
Since last writing, close upon 1000
Imperial troops have been paying New
Zealand visit. They were in Auck-
land, about 40 miles from here, about
a fortnight agoA but l was unable to
go up to see them, as l could not get
anyone to look after my work. miss
ed grand sight, however, for the
troops included representatives from
all Of England's most notable regi-
ments, and also 100 Indian soldiers.
This meant that their uniforms con-
tanned many different patterns and
colors, and when they were all assem-
sight. 1t was a great day for Auck-
land, and it is estimated that fully
60, 900 people turned out to see them.
About 1000 people went up from
Thames to Auckland to see the troops,
and they all say 1t was grand sight,
and would not have missed 1t for a
good deal.
On Monday last had a capital days
outing with a number of our most
prominent townsmen and two men,
bers Of our New Zealand government,
namely, the minister of mines and
the minister of lands. Across the
gulf from here is a large block of land
known as the Tiako Swamp. This
owing to It's being rather low lying it
is subject to being flooded with water
during the wet winter months or in
times of heavy floods. 1t Is thought,
however, that If the government,
which owns nearly the whole block,
would carry out a systematic scheme
of drainage operations the land would
be made fit for settlement purposes,
and instead Of being allowed to remain
idle or unused it would be made very
productive, as the land is of a very fair
quality. 1t would also enable the
Thames folks to acquire homesteads
for themselves, and help to back up
the mining industry. Our local bodies
have been urging the government to
do something in the matter for some
time past, and when the two members
of the government, which 1 have al
ready mentioned, were here on Mon
day it was thought advisable to take
to show them what was required. AS
newspaper reporter l was invited to
60 along with the party, and enjoyed
the trip very much. A small steam
boat was chartered to convey US. One
place we called at on the way was a
Maori settlement. The Maoris, by
SOME means or other, had heard we
were coming, so they sent their fife
and drum band down to the landing
place to meet us, and the band, play
ing enroute, headed us up to the set
Element where the Maoris live. They
marched us right up to Maori Run
unga house Ia meeting house, that
had recently been erected, and when
we were approaching it lot of Maori
women came out and waved their
handkerchiefs and hands and said,
"Haeremai, Haeremai," which means,
"Come here, come here" sort of a
welcome. They also chanted songs in
Maori. Then the chief came forward
and made speech, in which he wei.
coined the party to his settlement,
saying how delighted he was to see us
all, and also expressed the great sOr.
row he and his people felt at the death
of Queen Victoria, "the great Ranga
tira'' as he called her. Then our lead
ing men replied to him and thanked
him for his very kind reception. After
further kOrerO (talk), we went back to
the steamer and proceeded further up
the Tiako river and inspected the land
1t was a beautiful day, and we enjoy
ed ourselves very much. AS a result
/ hn it,ic far oica1 tn laf<
the purchase Of the whole block al
speedily as possible, and to endeavo
to induce parliament to vote sufficient
money to drain the land and make il
fit for habitation.
Thames, New Zealand, March 1901
ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR WASHINGTON
The village of Washington Depot i
soon to be placed on level with tn
cities as far as the lighting of tn
streets and business places with cleo
tricity is concerned. Henry Foul0is
one Of the enterprising business mel
of the place, is now engaged in install,
light plant. He is having the fOunda
tions laid for building, 23x26, neal
the Shepaug river. and in the rear Of
his store and residence. Hehas bough
the electric plant of Granniss & Ell
more in Litchtield and will have the
plant in operation in a short time
Nearly all the local business men will
introduce the light into their store
and Mr. Foulois plans to run wire t.
the Green for those who wish to US
the light. Washington is surely forg
ing ahead, and other improvement
may follow.