COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 21 January 1901, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

WHAXGAREI.

We have had this season a record number of visitors, proving conclusively that the district and its varied attractions are gradually becoming better known and more popular.

Improvements of town and district still' continue, and many fresh settlers are taking up land from the Government in the more distant portion of the county, which, as most of the roads converge to Whangarei as the centre, is very much to our advantage.

Notice is being given that the Borough Council intend striking a ljd rate to cover the cost of ordinary expenditure, also the additional cost of the "water supply.. There is, I am informed, a slight hitch as regards the Joan to be used for this latter purpose' caused evidently by red tapeism as regards floating the loan from the Government, but I believe the difficulty will be overcome without much trouble.

A petition is being circulated through the borough to obtain the consent of the burgesses for the Council to buy Kensington Park for use as a recreation ground. The Borough Council. I understand, are expected to find £450. which/ with the £450 offered by the Government, on the condition that the Park may be used by the Defence Department for military purposes, free of charge, will be sufficient to purchase the property. It it anticipated that the efforts of the Council will be successful.

A petition ip have Limestone Island connected with Whangarel by telephone i» also now,in circulation, and I believe Is being largely signed.

The Marsden Mounted Rifles held their monthly inspection parade on Saturday, but the attendance was not up to the average, owing no doubt to the harvesting and . haymaking. On two previous occasions the inspecting officer did nnt make his appearance, and as most of the troopers live at least 16 miles-away, considerable expense was incurred. Disappointments of this sort do not encourage attendance. About half of the c!ompany have passed through their classflring, throughout which some good scoring has been made, at present the lowest being 125 points.

i Captain Steadman, of the Whangarei Rifles is at present in Australia, taking part in the Federal Rifle Matches. He is, however, expected back during the coming week; in the meantime the company is under the command of Lieuts. Hicks and McGregor, and the weekly drills take place regularly. This company started -class-firing on Thursday; up to the present the scoring is very creditable. I am informed that the uniforms for the rifles will come to hand very shortly, to--gether with necessary accoutrements. Much disappointment is expressed by the Mounted Rifles because, though now over six months in existence, no belts, pouches or bandoliers have come to hand. Neither are the hats yet in Evidence; in the meantime they are sompelled to drill in field service caps, which are anything but comfortable during the very hot weather experienced during the Jast three parades.