COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 210, 4 September 1900, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

CAMBRIDGE

CAMBRIDGE, Monday,

The past week has been a very busy one here, for we had two special sales in addition to several meetings. On Thursday and Friday Mr W. J. Hunter had his spring horse sale, and it was one of the best ever held in the Walkato. Fully 500 animals were disposed of, the prices being- high for anything of a good quality. Quite 100 of the horses sold will find their way to Auckland; indeed, nearly that number were booked there by train on Saturday morning. There was a big demand for good useful working horses, and many more could have been placed if they had been forthcoming. The quality of horses from Auckland this year was much better than usual. As a rule the tram horses are pretty well used up before they are shipped up here, but even then, we sometimes get a plum, for a settlor bought one 18 months ago at one of Hunter's sales, and he sol<^ it again on Friday for £28. On, Saturday Messrs McNlcol and Co. heid their spring cattle sale, and It proved an exceptionally good one. The farmers must have faith In the future, for the prices they are giving for young stock is large, and by the time the animals are full grown they will have cost a good bit of money; more, I am afraid, than they will perhaps return. Entries closed for our Hunt Club races on Friday. They aro large and should provide a good day's sport. Thet smallest number for any race Is eight, and the largest fourteen. Our volunteers have received a challenge to shoot a match with the Ohlnemuri corps on the 22nd instant, at Cambridge. The challenge has been accepted. On Saturday evening Sergeant Garland, late of the Transvaal, Was accorded a smoke concert in honour of his safe return from the war by his comrades here. It was held at the National Hotel, about 40 attending to give him a welcome back. A very pleasant evening was spent, the gathering breaking up shortly before midnight. The Hautapu Drainage Board had a meeting last Saturday, and It will be nearly the last, for as soon as the liabilities are discharged It id intended to try and get the Governor to abolish the Board. It Is a pity after all the Initiatory expenses to abolish the Board, for one will certainly have to be formed to drain the Fencourt Estate, unless the Government Intend to look after the draining for the settlers—a most improbable possibility. The Pukekura Road Board also had a meeting on Saturday, and transacted a lot of business. A petition was received from the hew settlers along the I Juahol Road asking to have it formed and gravelled. Messrs Ambury and English, the well-known dairymen, made a similar request, stating they contemplated erecting a creamery In that district ready for next spring, but they could not do so unless the road was made. It was resolved to do the work as soon as the weather will permit. Mr Grice, who has made the Board a handsome present of a plot of ground of five acres as a grave] reserve, and also of a portion of land to make a deviation of a road, received a hearty vote of thanks for the handsome gift; and right richly he deserves it. The Ohaupo people asked to have ft footpath formed from the township to the railway ! station. It is badly needed, but the Board thought It would establish a bad precedent and declined to do anything In the matter. The tender of W. and T. Vickars was accepted for erecting a new culvert across the main Cambridge-Ohaupo Road at the foot of Tucker's Hill. The road will have to be closed for fully five days', for It Is very bad ground Just there. The matter of getting a better grade for Tucker's Hill was discussed, but the conclusion arrived at was that It would be more costly to make a- new deviation than to alter the existing one. Several other minor road works were asked for, so the members decided to make a general Inspection of the roads on Monday, the 17th Instant; and then it will be settled whether or not It will be necessary to strike a rate this year.

Several settlers have lost' cattle through their being poisoned with what has been laid for rabbits. More care should be taken by tho farmers to keep their cattle' off the paddocks for a day or two after poison has been laid.