WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4370, 15 November 1875, Page 3

WAIKATO.

The following j paragraphs are from the Waikato Times.:— " •; We understand that a large section of Piako land is about to change hands. The purchaser is a gentleman who has been for some,time xesiding .in "Victoria, and the ■ seller'a well-known settler in - Waikato. !lt augurs welLfor the future of the district that foreign-capital is finding its way into it to such an extent as has lately been the case., The distribution' of salmon ova has been of late carried to a considerable extent'in the' other island, while the North Island'has been greatly neglected in this respect, and especially this district, although we have several rivers and streams in the Waikato well adapted for the rearing of salmon. ■, We are glad, however, to learn that something is at last being done in this direction. On Thursday evening last, J. G. JTirth, Esq., left Matamata for Alexandra, with a, quantity of salmon ova, procured from the Acclimatisation Society in Auckland, for the purpose of placing them in the creeks leading into the Thames and Waikato rivers. Some ova will also be placed in the creeks running into the river Waipa.- We have every reason to~believe that the hatching of salmon'ova in the streams of this district will be a success. There was a very large meeting of. the members of. the Hope of. Waikato Lodge, 1.0.Gr.T., on Thursday evening last, for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Bro. C. O. -Montrose, Deputy Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the Waikato District, prior to his departure from Hamilton for Auckland the following day. About thirty visitors from the JNfgaruawahia; Cambridge,. and Queen's Redoubt Lodges were present, and altogether about 100 .members we're in attendance. A company has been floated in Hamilton by the Good Templars for the erection of a hall, reading-room, and library. • Since Mr. Danvers accomplished his extraordinary feat of 112 miles in.4B hours, carrying 5G lbs., the subject of walking has been much discussed, A man at Alexandra, Mr. Kenearney, undertook to perform the same journey, under the same conditions. He had been in the habit of carrying large swags for long distances during his services as a soldier in the. British army, and felt confident of being able to get through his task. £50 a- side was staked, Kenearney's backers being chiefly his fellow-townsmen, whilst most of the money on the opposite side was-found in Hamilton. The betting was slightly in favour of time at the start. We give the account of the conclusion :— Prom 7 a.zn. to 8 a.m. he walked 3 miles more, and then began to complain of his feet being sore, but no other signs of distress were apparent, he walking strongly all' the time. At half-past S o'clock he started again, finishing his 51st mile at twenty-four minutes past nine. By this time the sun was blazing intensely, and the air quite oppressive. Kenearney's breath got thicker, and he perspired very much, but did not seem greatly fatigued, for going off at 19 minutes to 10 he did two miles by 10.15 a.m., or 34 minutes, close on to the four miles per hour that he started with. At half-past ten he attempted the last three miles of his first day's work, but broke down at 11.20, when he had done two miles and 16 chains. He finished the first portion of his task afterwards, and did a small portion of the next day's work, but soon gave up altogether. One error of judgment consisted in choosing a 16chain course, with four chains of hill in it, making 14 miles of the 56 Up-hill walking. Kenearney is by no means a weak man, —indedd he seems to be considerably above the average mortal in strength and endurance. He is possessed of immense pluck, und yet he failed to get through much more than half his task. We regret to state that he has suffered so severely, in his determined attempt to carry out his task, that he is completely prostrated. We trust, however, that with judicious management he will speedily recover.