The Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1887. NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1812, 22 December 1887, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1887. NEWS AND NOTES.

We give a reminder that nominations for tbe Bawera Sports close with the secretary on Saturday evening next. The Oddfellows hold their quarterly meeting to-morrow evening, on account of Monday being a holiday, which would otherwise be their usual night. Election of officers will take place. Afc the Legislative Council on Monday, the report of the managers of the free conference on the disputes of both Houses on the Land Bill was presented, and the conference reported that a compromise had been arrived at, to the effect that land boards be left the same as under the existing Act. A little boy was reading in his Scottish history an account of the battle of Bannockburn. He read as follows: — "And when, the English saw the new army on the bill behind their spirits became damped." The teacher asked the boy what was meant by damping their spirits." The boy, not comprehending the meaning, simply answered, " Pittin 1 water in the whnaky." The local library of the Law Society at New Plymouth has received a valuable addition of literature from London, in tbe shape of over 2000 volumes of law reports of caßes of any note from 1869 to tbe present year. The books have been pat in position by the custodian, Mr Stroud. The "Law's great study" seems likely soon to require more than tbe six hours per day allowed for it by one great authority on the Conduct of life. At the Land Board meeting on Monday tbe question of leasing the Ngaire swamp came up for discussion. It seems that | Messra. Campbell Brother!, who have a { piece of the swamp within the confiscated boundary, applied to the Minister of Lands direct for 1200 acres of the swamp adjoining their property — that part nearest Eltbam. The commissioner pointed the piece out on tbe map, stating that the swamp wai fed by little, creeks & few chains long. The piece is to ta put up at publit auction, and should the woikrog of tbe land prove satisfactory, the whole lot frill mod go, and (he Nsaire swamp will bf ft thing of the past. — Taranaki Herald.

We (Patea County Press) understand that the plans for the new hotel ia the township of Alton are in the hands of the architect (Mr. ODea), and that tenders will be called in a few days. The building is to be erected on the site of the old hotel lately burnt down. We hear that Mr. E. L. Barton's son naa been Berioagly ill for gome days. A surgical operation for the relief of the patient, who was suffering from hernia, wa9 performed on Monday by Drg. Cbilton, Alexander, and Leatham taking part, and up to the present the child appears to be progressing favorably. The operation gave relief, but is always a critical one. The Bay of Plenty Times says :—" Tbe present is a bad time, for the dairy farmer especially. Probably never before bas dairy produce been at such a low ebb. In Australia and the South Island wholesale prices are down to 4d and 51b a lb for butter, and at this season of the year there is little prospect of any improvement. At such a juncture a most important piece of J I news comes from Manawatti. From that I district a shipment of butter and cheese i was sent Home, and tbe results are highly satisfactory. The butter realised ll^d per lb in London, giving the producers, free of charges, 9d per lb. The cheese realised 60s per cwt, or 5d net per lb to the exporter. There is every prospect of these prices being maintained for a time for a really | i ffooi article. T)jJa points to the Zioadon \ market as tbe outlet which will relieve the \ dairy farmer. In the cool chambers of the direct steamers butter and cheese can be Bent with safety. The quarterly meeting of the Foresters was held in the Friendly Societies' Hall i 1 last Wednesday eveniD^, there heiog a \ full attendance of brethren. District j officers Bros. Carter, P.C.8., D.S.C., and Tunbridge, D.S., attended. The election and installation of officers was proceeded with, wben tbe following were duly elected :—C.R., Bro. Hopkins; S.C.R., Bro. Benjamin; Treasurer, Bro. Lenahan; Secretary, Bro. W. Syme; S.W., Bro. McLachlan; J.W., Bro. Bates ; 5.8., | Bro. Burlace ; J. 8., Bro. Blaud. Bro. Kivell, P.C.R., was appointed to act as delegate to the next district meeting unopposed. A committee was appointed to arrange about holding the usual annual Foresters' ball ou race nipht, it being reported that there was a small surplus in hand from the last ball. In the course of the evening Bro. Tuubridge, D.S., complimented the lodge on tbe accuracy with which the books had been kept, and upon the healthy state of the lodge's finance. Votes of thanks were passed to the district officers for the trouble taken by them, the care devoted to, and tbe interest shown in all things appertaining to the good of ' Forestry.