COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 128, 30 May 1918, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

KOTOBUA.

Major J. Stewart, Captain W. WalkeTg MC of the Maori Contingent, and Prrvate F." D. Reeve returned to Eotoma on Saturday. . m ... . .. D C McDonald pleaded guilty to the theft of a horse, saddle, and bridle, and was committed to the Auckland Supreme Court by Mr R. W. Dyer, S.M. At the invitation of Mr W. -HiU, Resident Officer, and airs HIU, the ladles of the Rotorua branches of the Auckland Patriotic League, the Red Cross Society, and Red Cross Guild assembled in the tea kiosk. Government Gardens, on Thursday afternoon to meet Her ExceUency the Countess of Liverpool. Mrs -Hill presided, and welcomed her Excellency, congratulating her on the distinction lately conferred upon her by His Majesty the King for her unremitting efforts in patriotic work. Tb» Countess thank Mrs Hill for giving her the opportunity to meet so many friends and acquaintances. Alesdames Algle and Foster and Misses Nixon <£) and tßutt sang songs at intervals, which added greatl* to the enjoyment of the gathering.

TE AROHA

On Saturday the ladies of SL Mark s Gnild opened a shop in aid of the Church. Hutment Fund. The sum of £T5-was netted, a very satisfactory result for one day's trading. . . , Delegates from a number of drainage boards have discussed the position which, has arisen with respect to the employment of Jugo-Slav labour on drainage works, consequent upon tbe conscripting of registered Jugo-Slavs for service, under Government control, on improvement worts at the ■Hanraki Plains. The following resolution was carried:—"That this meeting of delegates of associated drainage boards, in conference assembled, strongly protest against the fact that no provision has been, made to meet the requirements of local bodies regarding alien labour now employed on drainage and other works, particularly In districts that are solely dependent on tills class of labour, seeing that these works are just as important nationally as the work about to be undertaken by the Government."

Mr F. M. Strange presided at the monthly meeting of the Elstow branch of the Farmers' Union. A letter was read from the Minister of Hallways stating that the request that trucks of goods be shunted off at Herriesville siding had been considered, but be regretted the request could not be granted, as it was undesirable to create extra stopping places at such places as Herriesville. In the matter of the proposed erection of a haU, it was decided to test the feelings of the settlers by a subscription method, preferably to forming a company. The following new members were elected:-—Messrs C. E. Clark. D. Barlow, G. R. Readhead. W. Readhead, A. Hirst, and R. McDonald. Mesdames F. Strange, W. G. Cooper, McDonald, Hirst, •Rowbotham, and Misses Kearne and "DavyThe sale of Government sections toTe 1 Aroha which was to have been held on .»tn i Inst., has been postponed until a fu"" 1 " 6 daCe jby the Commissioner of Crown 'Lands.

HIKUBAHGI.

The annual meeting of » «j»gj Church Parishioners R Was held^J^SSß VSZ. S£-S igSg •^r 7 tnd P -r D °Burley B »ary and treasurer), with power toadd