WAIHI NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 62, 14 March 1900, Page 3

WAIHI NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent:)

WAIHI, Tuesday.

Mr F. Tonge had the misfortune to lose his valuable little racing mare Pickpocket on Friday afternoon. Pickpocket, who was in a small paddock at the back of the house, jumped a dividing plain wire fence, and in so doing fell and broke her back. The animal had to be put out of misery by a friendly bullet.

The war fever is still at its height here and quite a number of young fellows are leaving each week to apply for inclusion in the Fifth Contingent.

The weather here has again fallen into its usual state of dryness, and the little rain which has fallen made no difference to the tanks and wells. However, on Saturday the weather prevented the events which were postponed from the Miners' Union sports from being run off, and the club cricket match, West ,v. City had also to be abandoned.

A meeting will be held.next Friday to organise a. new volunteer corps. It has been sugested by some gentlemen to form a corps of horse artillery, but-in a place like Waihi, let alone the want of suitable horses and grazing, the idea is beyond all consideration. Another well equipped infantry corps would suit all the necessary requirements..

The Rev.'Mr McFarline, of Te Aroha, preached on Sunday at St. John's Church. He announced that the hew incumbent, Rev. Mr Eyken> would arrive in W^aihi next week.

The Waihi township has now assumed a much more important appearance. Four new blocks of buildings have recently been erected, which are locally known as Campbell's, Tuthill's, Tanner's, and Slevin's. It is to be hoped that the fine weather will continue, so as to give the contractors for the formation of the main street a chance to finish their work. The road is now much better, and in a comparatively leveller state, but the ugly part of the whole town lies in the long rise or lump which has been left by the grading of Main-street. When the borough has been obtained, the removal of this blot on the town will be one of its first considerations.

The Rev. Mr Featherston, the Primitive Methodist minister who takes Mr Barnett's place, preached in the Zion Church for the first time last Sunday.

Next Saturday a rifle shooting match will take place amongst the local volunteers for a gold bracelet, which has been presented by the local firm of jewellers, Messrs Phillips and Helper. The bracelet, which certainly is a very beautiful one, has

been on exhibition in that firm's window during last week.

Mr E. Pilling, who has taken over Stevens' Sterling Hotel, is making extensive alterations in that building.