COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 45, 22 February 1910, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

OTAHUHU. A special meeting of the Otahuhu Road Board Was (held in 'the Board's office on Thursday evening. Mr. J. Todd (chairman) presided, and there was a lull attendance of members. The meeting was called for the purpose of discussing the proposed water supply. The Board, having previously ' paid a visit of inspection to the &ha_t which is 'being put down by the Remuei- Road Board in the Mount Wellington district, ear St. John's Lake, decided to proceed with the sinking of a similar shaft at the toot of Mount Richmond. This shaft, wihlch will toe further -removed, from the swamp than the abandoned one, will be eight by six, and will 'be put down by day work under 'the superintendence of the Board's surfaceman. The Rev. iH. Mason who j •located the site, estimates that 'the water obtained will he satisfactory both as re- ! gards quality and quantity.

WHANGAEEL (By Telegraph.— Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Monday. A cricket match was played at H__urn_gl on Saturday between Towai and Whangarei. The game was drawn, Towai scoring IS6, and Whangarei SO for five wickets. The ceremony of formally opening the new St. Joseph convent boarding school, erected at a cost of £300, was preformed yesterday afternoon by Bishop Lenihan, in the presence of a large number of visitor!.. The Rev. Fathers Smiers and Tatterson were also In attendance. In his opening speech the Bishop alluded to the early struggles of the Catholic Church in New Zealand, and the urgent need for religious tuition in present day schools. The Rev. Father Smiers and Major Clarkealso addressed the gathering. In connection with the visit of Bishop Lenihan, mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Sunday, In St. Francis Xavlef Church. Work at the Kiripako coal mine has been very brisk of late, upwards of 200 tons of coal being put out per day. Some Important I alterations are being made. A new air | compressor lias just been installed, and a new hauling engine is just on completion; and to better facilitate the 'handling of the coal In the deep extensions, another air compressor Is to be Immediately put In. The men are all working full time, and making good wages. The outlook for the company,as well as the mine, is a. very favourable one, judging from present appearances.

NORTHERN WAIROA. (By Telegraph.— Correspondent) DABGAVILLE, Monday. A conference between the Whangarei and Hobson County delegates -concerning tho boundary question at Mangakahia, wag held at the Hobson County Council Chambers on Friday afternoon. Mr Kernnhan, of Whangarei, submitted proposals of his Council, and beyond that he would not go. Mr B. Hartllng, representing "Hobson, submitted (without prejudice) n proposition for. a modification of. the Whangarei demands, but Mir Kernohan not .agreeing to entertain the proposition, the OV-crence terminated without anything resulting. The delegates eventually report to their respective councils. ' ' v Messrs Webb Bros., of'" Rockvnle, were unfortunately losers of A valuable pedigree Shorthorn bull on Saturday morning. Tho bull was being driven to the show, and meeting another, bull belonging to Mr Dreadon, of Rehra, the two had a fight, •with tho result that Mr .Dreadon_ bull gored the other in the side so badly that It fell and died ln a few minutes. "•.:-' Timber operations In Palrata Valley are .very active at pressont.. and a considerable . quantity of logs are dally being delivered to the tidal water. v. VThe Awaklno booms, which ft few MKniths ago held the largest number of logs in any one of the booms north of Auckland,; is look' ing somewhat clear again, owing" to: the heavy demands of fhe mills this 6um_ier, Some thousands of'logs have been drafted away and cut up to eiecute large orders on hand. The Te Kopttru mill is working over, time. The Barque Aquilla is shipping a splendid cargo of kauri and knhlkatea for the Home market*?. The barque _"J6ra is loading at Aoroa for Liverpool, and the 8.8. Msslbourne is loading 300,000 feet 8f kauri for Australian porta. •

Mr A. Schmltt, provincial organiser and secretary of the N._,F.U., paid a visit-to Onewhero last Wednesday, with the result that a branch was formed ih the district. At the meeting. -j-_lch was held In the evening. Mr Keys was appointed chairman pro tern., and Mr Norman Baker permanent secretary. The folis/wing gentlemen were formed Into a working committee: Messrs A. and .'". Cathcart, Alexander, Gerrity and J. __drews.

A meeting is called for Saturday, March sth, and remits for the provincial conference Will be discussed. Tho annual subscription was fixed at 10/. It was decided that the meetings should be held In the Onewhero and Opatea Halls alternately.

The borough valuer (Mr. >F. .T. .Brooks) has compiled the valuation list for the forthcoming year, and it shows an increase of -469 on the annual value. This is made up of: New buildings, £208; exempted property now become ratable. £121; and a net increase on former values, £50; making the total as above.

The Cambridge Company of Monnted i Rifles held its usual parade on Saturday. jThere wins a good --tendance, and a sham fig_t took place on the grounds adjacent to the butts. Captain Bruce Hay and i Lieuts. 'Lewis and Bruce wefe in eom'mand.