The Newtown bee., 1901-08-09
CIRCULATION
800 1925
January l, 1SS2,
 Last week,

LITCHFIELD COUNTY.
 WASHINGTON.
 WILLIAM COAD OF NEW ZEALAND
 WRITES IN AN INTERESTING VEIN
 TO MIR 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 fortnight ago, but l was unable to go up to see them, as could not get anyone to look after my work. miss ed a 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, tained many different patterns and cOlors, and when they were all assem- bled together they made most lovely sight. It was great day for Auck- land, and it is estimated that fully so, 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 it for good deal.
 On Monday last I had capital days outing with a number of our most prominent tOwnSmen and two mem- 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 block contains over 5000 acres, but 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. It 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 very fair quality. It 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 l have al- ready mentioned, were here on Mon them across to the Block m question to show them what was required. As a newspaper reporter was invited to 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 life and drum band down to the landing place to meet us, and the band, play ing enrOute, headed us up to the set clement where the Maoris live. They marched us right up to a 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," a sort of a welcome. They also chanted songs in Maori. Then the chief came forward comed 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. Aftel further korero (talk), we went back to the steamer and proceeded further up the TiakO river and inspected the land It was beautiful day, and we enjoy ed ourselves very much. AS a result the ministers promised to complete 1 h0 nf hn u111 11n speedily as possible, and to endeavo money to drain the land and make il fit for habitatiOn.
 Thames, New Zealand, March 1901 ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR WAsHIN GTON
 The village of Washington Depot 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 FOulois one of the enterprising business mel of the place, is now engaged in install ing a complete and up-to-date electri tiOns laid for a building, 23x26, nea the Shepaug river. and in the rear O his store and residence. Hehas bough the electric plant of Granniss X Ell more in Litchtield and will have tht plant in operation in a short time Nearly all the local business men vii introduce the light into their store and MT Foulois plans to run a wire t the Green for those who wish to us the light. Washington is surely fore ing ahead, and other improvement may follow.
 l IN MEMORIAM.