(Proceeding.) COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 169, 16 July 1908, Page 3

(Proceeding.) COUNTRY NEWS.

TUAKAU. Mr. Lawrence McGuire, one of the earliest settlers iv this 1 district, died at his residence on Sunday last, after a short illness. Mr. McCiuire arrived iv New Zealand on the Ganges, landing at Onehunga, and settled iv Tuakau forty-three years age. He was esteemed by all who knew him. and his death will cause a noticeable gap in the community. Mr. McGuire leaves a family of five sons and five daughters, all of whom, with the exception of Mrs. Donovan, of Bombay, and Mrs. Carroll, "of Auckland, are settled in this district. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon, the interment being in the Tuakau Cemetery. The service was conducted by Fathers Keogh and McMillan, and was attended by practically every resident of the district. WHANGAREI. WHANGAREI, Wednesday. An old man named Francis John Steans, aged Go. died at 9 a.m. this morning from yellow jaundice. He had been ailing for a week previous. Deceased was well-known In Whangarei, but was very reticent over his private affairs, although he was known to possess means. Examination of Stean's papers revealed that he had been twice married, and had a son and daughter in Seattle, but no relations iv New Zealand, also that he was formerly a stock broker in London. In the Theatre Royal on Monday and Tuesday performances were given by Terry's Biorama. A comic singing competition on Tuesday caused much mirth, local talent being much to the fore. Mr. J. Thompson was awarded first prize for his rendering of "The Railway Porter," and Mr. Freeman Thompson secured second place for '-Stop Yer Tickling, Jock." On Tuesday evening about thirty prominent business men of Whangarei gathered in Cooper's room for the- purpose of making a presentation to Mr. C. J. Cleary (late accountant of the Bank of New Zealand), on his promotion to Tauranga to fill a similar position. Mr. H. Weaver occupied the chair, and presented Mr.' Cleary with a gold albert and filled sovereign purse, suitably inscribed. Mrs. Cleary was also presented with a writing desk with an inscribed plate. During the four years he has been' - in Whangarei Mr. Cleary has made many friends, and will be much missed in business nnd social circles. In the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, before Mr. Dyer. S.M.. the case of the Acclimatisation Society v. John Ewen was heard. Accused was ch.irged with shooting pigeons within prescribed area. A fine of £l and 5/ costs was imposed. In the case Stone versus Whange.rei Meat Supply Co.. a charge of allowing pigs to he fed on offal which had uot been previously boiled, the defendants explained that the offence had occurred through the negligence nf a hoy. their premises being suitably fitted with apparatus for boiling offal. In giving his verdict, Mr Dyer remarked that the maximum penalty was £50. but in this ease he would fine defendants £15 and costs. HAMILTON. | HAMILTON, 'tms day. Stephen Duggan was to-day remanded for a week to Pictou, charged with the theft of an overcoat at Westport. John Burnett was lined 10/ and £_ 1-/ costs for allowing a dead horse to remain uuburied for nine days near Clarence-street. -UEEKOE-. The secretary of the Pukekohe West Road Board tendered his resignation at the Board's meetlug on Saturday. In the S.M. Court, before Mr. Northcroft, S.M., C. McDonald was charged with being on licensed premises whilst being a prohibited person. A conviction was recorded, and accused was ordered to come up for sentence when called on. W. Pierce was fined £5 and costs, 16/6, for using insulting language to the police, and on a second charge of using / obscene language was convicted and ordered to appear for sentence when called on, with a warning. M. B. Routly, for refusing, to quit* the Pukekohe Hotel when requested to do so by the licensee, was mulcted in the sum of £5 and costs, 21/. NGARUAWAHIA. A well-attended public meeting wns held In the Town Hall, Ngaruawahla, on the 15th inst., for the purpose of taking Into consideration the advisability of establishing a branch of tho Manchester Unity Oddfellows at Ngarnwnhla. Brother Fred. Shaw, Prov. G.M., and Brother John McLeod. District Secretary, represented the Auckland district, and there were also present representatives from the Fountain of Friendship, Good Intent, Charles Bruce, Hamilton, Hand of Friendship, Victoria, and Kaltangata Lodges. Interesting addresses were delivered by the district officers, and by several of the visiting brethren on the advantages of membership In a well-con-stituted friendly society, such as the Manchester Unity Oddfellows undoubtedly is. A strong committee of local residents was formed for the purpose of carrying out all arrangements in connection with the opening of the new lodge', which is to take place in a few weeks. Mr Alfred J. Bourne was elected secretary pro tern. THAMES. There was a large and representative catherlug of Masons last night, at the installation of Bro. William Slmmoniis as W M. of Lodge of Light. A goodly number. Including Mr I'hillpot's orchestra, came from Auckland. Bro. W. J. Rees and tho other Grand officers were received and welcomed. At the annual meeting of the Thames Jockey Club, the report showed a most successful year. The retiring" members of the committee were re-elected, and all office bearers reappointed. . Parts of the dredge to operate on the foreshore of Thames have arrived, and will soon be fitted up. The object is to treat sands for gold. PAEROA. The adjourned annual meeting of the Ohinemuri Agricultural and Horticultural ■Society was held at Paeroa yesterday Mr A. L. Yule presided, and there was a "good attendance. The annual report expressed gratification at the past year's operations, which, it was stated, had been very successful, the stock show being the best vet held by the Society. The balance-sheet showed a small credit balance. The assets £ el £>j. et ™ Wn at £224 19/2 ' an d liabilities at £30 The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and it was decided to raise sufficient funds to erect offices on the Society's lttll?»% £V" R s e sF ni **as«PPoi_ted secretary. In place of Mr. W, D. Nicholas, who has resigned.: '