COUNTRY NEWS.

. .%■' • ■;.'• - -v,,. -+. — ; [FROM OUB OWS COEBESPOXDEXTS.] CAMBRIDGE. STOCKMEN'S COMPETITION. Thb stockmen's competition at the Wai* kato Central Show on Friday was won by Jos. Graham, C. Hargreaves being second. The rains that havo fallen during the past few days havo been most welcome to agriculturists. A few sunny days will give the pastures a splendid start, and stocK should speedily recover from the exceptional conditions through which they have passed, and thus be better prepared to withstand the effects of the, winter. A match {or the Buckland gold stars was played on Saturday afternoon, the challengers—R. Crickctt, R. "-Mullins, K. Anderson, A. Curtain—defeating the holders—H. Speight, T. Simpson, S. Cowlinjjfj R. Carr— 19 points to 15. HUNTLY. PRESBYTERIAN CONCERT. A very interesting and successful con. cert was held in the Presbyterian Church, where, despite tho many count«r>attrac< tione, a good attendance assembled under the presidency of'the Rev. J. Richards. The Jong and varied programme was highly appreciated. 'i' ■' « '' -AKA AKA. SOLDIER ENTERTAINED. Mr. Walter V. Pulman, of Aka Aka, near Maukn, who baa" joined the expeditionary force at Trenlham, was entertained by the residents at a social prior to his departure. Ho was presented with a dressing-case and a purse'of sovereigns. WAIHI. TO AID THE BELGIANS. A " gift afternoon" is to be held at Hollis's Bush on Wednesday afternoon in aid of the Belgian fund. The lady promoters have worked very hard to ensure success, and look forward to satisfactory results. On the bowling green last week the champion singles were decided, and Samson and M. Paul having won their sections, had to play the best of three games of 21 heads to decide the championship. Samson won two games out of three. The winner has now secured the title for four years in succession. The scores were as follows;— Firat game, Paul "22, Samson 16; second, Paul 11, Samson, 22; third, Paul 12, Samson 26. TE AROHA. . LIPSEY PARK LAND. A deputation waited upon tho Minister for Railways on Saturday and pointed out that tho Chamber of Commerce had passed a resolution asking tho Government to acquire 33 acres of Lipsey Park for the purpose of closer settlement and as a, recreation reserve. Mr. Herriea said ho had been approached by tho owners with regard to selling the property. Ho was quit© willing to have it sold to the Crown, and would bo pleased to assist in every way possible. It would be a matter for the Lands Department to attend to. At the monthly meeting of the Hungahnnga Drainage Board, D. Curtin wrote siting that a large amount of silt was accumulating in the Waihekau Creek. It was decided that the chairman and two members visit the locality with tho chair, man of the Waihekau Board, with power to act. The State Advances Department advised that it could not entertain the board's application for a loan. Mr. Crawshaw was empowered to arrange for the cleaning of No. 1 drain. The tender of Messrs. T. T. Scott and Company, at ! 3s AA per chain, was accepted for cleaning I the lower portion of the Piraoui. ' OPOTIKI, APPOINTMENT OF" OFFICER. Lieut. W P. Grav, of Opotiki, office! commanding the 16th platoon of tho (jtl (Hauraki) Regiment, has received an ap pointment as second lieutenant with tin New Zealand expeditionary forces, ant proceeds to Trentbam. Ho will probablj be attached to one of the Auckland regi ments. Excellent progress is being made witl tho widening of the Motu-Opotiki coacl road. There are about 180 men at presen employed on the work. The Opotiki unit of the National Re serve held its weekly parade on March 2 instruction being imparted to about 31 members by Staff-Major Hitchens 'The results of the weight-guessing com petitions at the Opotiki Show are a follows: Actual weight of bullock, 7401b won by J. S. Black, with 7401b. Aetna weight of cow, 6301b; won by C. Burgess with 6261b. Actual weight of pig, Jo4ilb won by W. N. Rowe, with 104£lb. Actua weight of two sheep, 1511b; won by VV J. Murray, 1611b, Aggregate, 162&J1b won by J" S. Black, with 1633j1b. IDH »»'!' I" ' WARKWORTH. RESULT OP BICYCLE RACE. An interesting bicycle road race wa run off here on Saturday, the course bei.nj three times round from the main street o the township, via Palhain, Wilson, an< McKinney Roads, a total distance of abou ten miles. Seven started, and a very clo& finish resulted:—W. Warin, scr, 1; C Green, 14m, 2; E. Yiall, Urn, 3. A pro test has been entered on the ground tha j the first and second men rode on the foot path to avoid rough places on the road An important meeting in regard to county stock show is to be held on th Warkworth Show Ground on s Friday March 26, immediately prior to the cattl sale. The meeting 'is the result of conference between the Rodway Chambe of Commerce and representatives of loca agricultural societies. A meeting of the> Warkworth Tow Board was held on Friday, Mr. Ale Warm in the chair. It was decided tha the foreman be authorised to- havo repair done to Hill Street to the extent of £' to £12, and that footpath repairs shouJ be done by day labour. The clerk wa instructed to draw the attention of th sawmill owners to damage done to watei pipes by logs, etc. The clerk drew attci tion to the fact that a surplus was mouni ing up from the special rate struck i connection with the £1200 loan. It ws resolved to write to the Department asl ing permission to use this surplus in pa; ing off the £3300 loan. It was resolve that notice be sent to all who were i arrears with the sanitary rate notifyir that if not paid within one month, 10 .p< cent, interest would be added. A meeting of the Methodist Mutual In provement Society was held in the enure on Wednesday, the subject for conside ation being "The Poets." A very inte esting evening w.->s spent, various membe giving short accounts of their favours poets. MOBRINSVILLE. ' CHURCH ANNIVERSARY. \ The Baptist Church held its annivcrsai J services this week. On Sunday Re Joseph Clark, at pne time in charge of tl Tabernacle in Auckland, took lwth mot '. ing and evening services. Special anther ' were rendered by the choir, and Miss *" , Henderson, of Hamilton, sang a solo [ each service. The annual social was he on Wednesday evening, when the Rev. 1 ' Anstice presided. v I On Tuesday evening the members . the local branch of the St. John Ambi ) ance Association held their annual met > ing, the president, Mrs. Aitken, occupyii ) the chair. In her report of the yea* j work tho secretary, Miss Allen, refern . to the work undertaken by the branch I collecting funds for tho Belgian fun ; clothing for Queen Mary's Needlewo i Guild, and assisting to equip tho loc . men who went to the front. Mrs, Sevi] ■ ■i

1 '~ .'~; ' '. ! ."" i' ri i■■ .. .... , ,n ' _ ; , ~ * ' : ' " Vj was ejected a vice-president, and all th«. other officers were re-elected for the year. Dr. Wallis. has consented to give a series of lectures to members on homo nuwinj, and Dp, Sevillo has promised a course of lectures on first aid. The Auckland Education Board has adopted a recommendation of the special committoo that the pupils of Morrinsville and other schools allowed to attend at Hamilton "•' for cooking and woodwork classes, Mr. D. Sutherland, who is leaving for Te Kuiti in a day or two, was on Wednesday evening the recipient of a presentation from the local band, of which be has been bandmaster for the pa*t two years. KAITAIA. SEVERE MSASMSfI EPIDEMIC. There has been an epidemic of measles during tho past month, a number of adoUfl' as well as children being attacked by tho complaint. At tho Paparore native settlement tho disease has been vory rife, and sovpral have died. Among tho victims was Miss Foley, the head-teacher of tho Paparore native school. Both she and liar assistant, Miss Richards, were attacked by tho disease, to which Miss Foley succumbed on February 25, after a fortnight's illness. General regret is expressed at Miss Foley's early death. Tho natives speak very highly of her services as a teacher. A member of tho territorials, on guard at tho wireless station, named Vincent Beecroft, was tak&n to the Mangonui Hospital suffering from typhoid Fever, and died there on February 21. Ho was buried at tho Mangonui Cemetery on tho following day. The deceased belonged to Port Albert, where his parents resideThey were sent for, and Mr. Heecroft reached Mangonui in timo to sco his son before ho passed i away. WAERENCA. "FATHER OF THE DISTRICT." Mr. John Smith, one of our pioneer settlers, who might ho called the father of tho district, has sold his fine farm of 250 acres, the purchaser bejng Mr. Harvey Nicholson, of Auckland, who is a' well-known figure in racing circles. Mr, Smith, whoso health has been indifferent, proposes taking an extended tour through America, Waerenga has not failed to respond to the call of patriotism, having sent eight men to tho front. The latest volunteers Messrs. J, Cooper, J. Singleton, and J, Featheratonc. Tho To Kauwhata Saleyards Committee met on Saturday, and Mr. R. Pillbam, the secretary, announced that every encouragement" war, given by tho farmers to the proposal- Mr. Brownlow Horyocks laid before the meeting a carefully-thought-out proposal fjf tho formation of a cooperative company, which, after discussion, was adopted by the committee. It was decided to have this printed and circulated throughout the district, After enumerating the advantages of tho proposed saleyards, the proposal advises that a company bo formed with a capital of £2000 in £1 shares, of which £850 bo willed up for present requirements, such as building, levelling, and metalling, etc, It was decided to appoint a canvasser to traverse the district wid ascertain if the requisite support would bo forthcoming, before registering the company. As an indication of the resolve to see the business through, those present put down their names for nearly £300 worth of shares. It only requires a good, strong pull together, and the Te Kauwhata saleyards will be an accomplished .fact, v i I, i NGARUAWAHIA. *- PREPARING FOR ANNUAL REGATTA. 'Die committee and sub-committee of tlie Kgaruawahia Regatta Association are y«ry busy these days in making Potion* for the regatta to be held on St. Patricks Dav Already the sido-shows have commenced to arrive, and the Maori* we getling their canoes ready. A day or two ago ono of the natives representing tho Waikato Heads crew was down here selecting a place for a big war canoo, and tho local natives are cleaning up their hurdle racing craft On present appear, ances it seems that the number and variety of attractions will bo fully up to those 'of nrovious years. . , . One o? tho most pleasant social gatherings that ' has, been held , for some time in connection with railway , work at Ngarnawahia took place in the Olympia Skating Rink last evening, when , the railway workers engaged on the conI struction of the new station and yards . cave a valedictory social to Mr. J- Mc . Leod, ganger in charge. There were between 50 and 60 employees present. Buri inff tho course of the evening Mr. J. i Brewin presented Mr. McLeod with a fine i dressing-case as a mark of the esteem and respect in which he was held by the ■ donor, and'those who wore working with , him &nd also with a silver butter-dish for ) Mrs! McLeod. Mr. McLeod suitably re- • plied. CLEVEDON. ' CRICKET CLUB FORMED. 1 A meeting of those interested in cricket . was held in the Public Hall on Saturday evening* Mr. C. Munro being voted to the chair It was decided to form a cricket club at once, and to play an opening match on Easter Saturday April 3 in the Clevedon Agricultural and Pastoral Show grounds, of Married v. Single. Mr. D. M. Bryan was elected captain, Mr. P. Jurley , vicicaptain, and Mr. P. Waters secroI tary. motor-'bus is now also running in I A motor-'bus is now also running in i connection with the usual mail coach, in i addition to the motor-car lately started for the Clevcdon-Papakura service so travellers are now amply provided for, '. and the demand for speed in travelling I is evident, by the good patronago al . vehicle* ere obtaining from tho general . public, Sundays included, i The Rod and Gun Club went for its. b fishing excursion on Wednesday in the , harbour, but although the weather was b fine, the sport was not nearly as good as i on the previous occasion, r y Mrs. Denncs has accepted tho position 1 of organist to All Souls* Church, ind began her duties ou Sunday, i Dr. Mcllwraith, inspector of schools, 1 paid a surprise visit to Clovudon school 1 fast week, and presented the prizes for 8 good attendance to the 18 winners, congratulating thorn on their excellent attend--1 ance, which is above the average; only 8 8 per cent, being the average number absent 6 during the year 1914. One of tho first men to leave Clevedon '" to join tho expeditionary force, writes '" from Egypt to a friend hero very amusn ingly of the early difficulties ho had to 3 obtain a bath, and says :—" Two of us '" wanted to have a bath a week ago, so we j tried in various hotels, and in each one were told 'no drink here which made II us laugh considerably. At last we found ° a place, and it was really laughable to see tho way tho people rushed round us. First they got a huge sheet and placed it u over the bath, which they filled with hot r . water then earned an arm-chair, and a [I footstool, over which they placed another , fl sheet. Soap appeared next on the scene, (0 and lastly two new sponges wero brought in. I really think they would have scrubbed us, had .wo so desired. The whole charge was five piastres (Is), and I would have gladly given ss!" The annual picnic for tho Clevedon South End school, and residents, was held in Mr. Dow'6 paddock on Thursday, and y as usual, attracted a largo number of vigi- >'• tors, although t.he weather was rather unle' certain and showery. A large assortment i- of handsome prizes for tho sports, and is excellent refreshments were provided, and f- a most entortaining day spent in watch it ing the long programme of amusing events, Id for which tho fortunate winners obtained i. rose bowl, bridle, spurs, vases, etc, ac 1 lib. The usual school prizes wero alsc of presented to the children. 1- The Clevedon Lawn Tennis Association t- opened its tournament on Saturday al ig Brookby courts, when the ladies' an« 's men's doubles were contested, but un 'd finished. Plav will be resumed on Satur in dav 13th. including the combined doubles, d, Tho Clevedon Croquet Club is beffinninj; :k its tournament of doubles this week; anc al tho North Road Croquet Club also coin lo menccs its fust singles' tournament.