COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 227, 26 September 1898, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

On Wednesday evening September 21st the residents of Kawakawa and the surrounding districts tendered a complimentary farewell entertainment to Dr. and Mrs Carolan on the occasion of their departure for Rotorua. Mr Stewart's large hall was filled with Dr. Carolan's numerous friends who had come to say good-bye and •with him God speed. On behalf of those present Mr Kirkpatrick expressed the extreme regret with which the news of Dr. Carolan's . departure from Kawakawa had been received by all classes. Mr Kirkpatrick wished, on behalf of those present, as well as for those who were unable to attend, to convey to Dr. and Mrs Carolan the extreme regret felt by all at the necessity for their departure, and in wishing good-bye and God speed he trusted they would enjoy health, wealth, and happiness wherever they went. Dr. Carolan replied in a suitable manner. Songs, etc., were contributed by various friends, a sumptuous repast was partaken of, and dancing was kept up until an early hour.—(Kawakawa Correspondent).

Mr C. T. Edwards, Hon. Sec. of the ■Mercer Regatta Association, has received a communication from Wellington stating that His Excellency Lord Ranfurly will be pleased to be present at the Mercer Regatta on Saturday, November 26th. No doubt Hi Excellency will greatly appreciate Mao. i sports of this kind, which he has never before seen. Some of the Auckland Rowing Clubs are about to get crews into training for the gig races, and the natives are busy making preparations, for the Maori events. Mr F. W. Edwards is starter and umpire of the rowing races, and is also the town representative of the Association.

The marble obelisk which the Government has undertaken to put over the grave of the late Major Ropata is completed, and will be sent from Wellington to Port Awanui, East Coast, in a few days. The monument is about 10ft high, and bears the following inscription : " Sacred to the memory of Major Ropata Wahawaha, of the great Nga.tipt.iou tribe, who died July Ist, 1897, aged about SO years, a soldier and a man. This stone was erected by the Government of New Zealand as a mark of regard for one who served his country well."

The Waiwera Hotel, grounds, and baths have now been put in the best of order for the coming summer, and the whole establishment has been rehabilitated in expectation of a large influx of visitors this season. The cottages have all been thoroughly renovated, and the various warm baths are in the best of order, the Nos. 5 and 6 batha how having a temperature up to 110 degrees, while the large bath for men has been put in proper repair again. The hotel-is still under the efficient care of Mr and Mrs Urquhart.

On Wednesday evening the residents of Ngaruawahia district assembled at the Mill Hall to bid good-bye to Mr T. U. Wells, the head master of the Ngaruawahia school, who has Lcen •appointed to the head mastership of the Eichmond Eoad school, Auckland. The social had for its object a double purpose —firstly, to say farewell to Mr Wells and Miss Wilson; secondly, to present the former with a gold watch and chain coupled with an. address. Miss Wilson was also presented with a gold watch. Mr T. W. Davis made the presentation to Mr Wells, who was given a very cordial send-off by the Ngaruawahia people. The address was a very handsome piece of work, bearing representations of typical W Taikato scenery and Maori views.

A meeting of the Otahuhu ratepayers was held on Thursday evening to take steps to get the Otahuhu railway station removed to a more central position. Mr T. P. C. Whitley occupied the chair. On the motion, of Mr Luke it was resolved 'that the Road Board be requested to impress upon the Government the absolute necessity of removing- the Otahuhu railway sta^ tion to a point between Railway-st. and Station Koad, and that the Chairman of the Ebad Board communicate direct with the Hon. A. J. Cadman and Mr W. F. Massey, M.H.R.' It Avas also agreed 'that a, petition to Parliament be prepared, setting forth the reasons why the station should be removed.' On the motion of Mr A. Sturges it was decided 'that the ratepayers present constitute an Otahuhu . Railway League to take steps to obtain, the removal of the railway station.' The fact that the railway line has to be crossed to reach the station renders it very unsafe, and it is so far out of the township that were it.removed to a more central position there would undoubtedly be a considerable increase both in the goods and passenger traffic.