WAIKATO DISTRICT ITEMS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXI, Issue 5491, 30 March 1875, Page 3

WAIKATO DISTRICT ITEMS.

Tin following items of news are from Satur<l,u -> Wailato Times: — Mr. James Mackay and ( 'aptam Turner arrived at Hamilton on Tlnnsilxy evening, they having ridden overland for the purpose of selecting a line of roa.l from Hamilton to Te Aroha. We midci stand that these two gentlemen -will a'uirt back to-day (Saturday), and will bo accompanied by Mr. Clark, Resident Engineer. It is expected that the line of load will be at once decided on and wo» k commenced forthwith, under the supervision of the last named gentleman. — The committee formed to collect funds and cai ry out the work of erecting a church at Taupiri have felt themselves justified in calling for tenders for the erection of the building. — We regrpt to report that a fire occurred at Pukerimu on Thursday afternoon on the faiin of Mr. Howie, who, we regret to say, is a serious loser by the catastrophe. Tii i -.team thrashing machine was at woi k at the stack when suddenly tire was observed amongst the loose atraw. In spite of all cfVoits, £200 worth of wheat was destroyed, and the thrashing-machine burned. The engine, we arc glad to relate, was saved. \\ hci the fire blazed up, although the horses vi'i j got ready, they could not be induced to ai)])t>)ich the file, and the men on the spot v. <■!<• not e^ual to the task of reliio.ing it. The machine is the propei ty of Mr. (Joates, of East Hamilton, but was leased to some pcidous w !i'.-,f names we have been unable to aseert \,a The lessees will have to bear the loss, p.^ ihe terms of their contract with the owner ■were that the machine should be returned in good order and condition. AVe sin* ( lely condole with Mr. Howe, also with the Kosees oc p he machine. The catastrophe Mill bo felt by a large number of settlers, as t'lo machine destroyed was the only one in the district. Whether the fire was Kfcai ted by a spark from the engine, or arose fiom carelessness with pipes and matches is Unknown However it may have arisen, it should Ik; ,i ksson to all working about wheat >tacl\i to uie c\ticme caie.