COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4372, 17 November 1875, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAIKATO. TT7 TAWHIAO TO VISIT AUCKLAND : SIB GEOKGE GREY TO BE EfVITED. Alexandra, Tuesday. Tu Tawhllo (the King's son) will next week, or shortly, take a ride through, all the Waikato townships. From Alexandra to Cambridge, thence to Hamilton and Ngaruawahia, then back. -After that trip he will start for Auckland, when he will invite Sir G-eorge Grey to come up and see his (Tu Tawhiao's) father at his present village, or some other convenient place. It is also intended that after Tu Tawhiao has been to Auckland and back, and so opened the way by formally visiting or travelling through the Waikato townships, that Tawhiao, the King himself, will, as in the old Hebrew fashion, take up his staff and make a pilgrimage to Ngaruawahia, where he says he -will again live as in the old days. Now, when that event takes place, what will it bo a sign of ? Will it be a practical indication of Kingism coming in ? That undoubtedly it is ; but J remember for the present, and for a time to come, it will b<s of Tawhiao himself on!y. For coming, is of himself alone, and not of the bulk of Hauhaus, who have for so long a time disregarded their head, and have wanted to frame their way themselves, seeing that so little substance or wisdom of judgment existed in their King. He, seeing their feeling, just forsook Te Kuiti for Hikurangi, thence to where I have written. It is on his part as it were a serving out of his disobedient children; —in short, anger and spleen, and not a real desire to blend with Europeans. Nevertheless,, through Sir George Grey, and not the Defence Minister (who has never been respected by natives for nobleness or judgment) that permanent good may be established. ..-■-• - ■ Kenearney, in the* pedestrian feat of walking 112 miles in. 4S hours, carrying 561b5., fell off and failed at the fourth . mile of the second 56 miles. It will be known . to every reader that the same was : a repetition of the feat performed by Mr. Danvers, of Hamilton,-; andvwhieh pie succeeded in doing. Kenearney, in the adjustment of his load, shewed . great ingenuity. It was of lead made so as to fit the shoulders like a saddle, under which, was a thick padding of wool, flannel, &c., and two pieces of solidlead, Gibs, each, which he slung from each shoulder in two small haversacks, the object of which was when tired to take them out and carry in each hand. The load was as compact and well balanced as could be desired. He commenced the walk at 2 p.m., at the rate of four miles an hour, maintaining it up to the 12th mile, when he fell off to about itj miles. At the 12th mile he; took the first rest of 20 minutes. Started again at 5 h. 3 min.,. completing 20 miles in 8 h. 20 min. Took another rest of half-an-hour. Again started, and covered 36 miles by 1 h. 53 m. a.m. Took his longest rest of threequarters of an hour, to take some refreshment, but his appetite was bad, and what he did eat was forced. Next start, he did 6 miles by 4 h. 42 m., which brought him up to his 42hd mile. Again started at 5 h. 13 m., covering this time 3 miles by 6 h. 12 m. a.m. Rested for breakfast, but appetite still bad. Next stage Was three miles, by 6 h. 5S m. Another three miles was covered by 7 b. 5S m., when he again rested. Up to this time he was walking admirably, the step firm, and not the slightest sign of weariness or fatigue. ■ Then he started again at 9 h. ■ 41 ■ m. Rested at 10 h.' 13 m. after two. miles, ; which brought him up to 53 miles. Now for the first time he betrayed some symptoms of fatigue and weakness. Started on the 55th mile, but only did four-fifths, when he felt compelled to rest. Made an attempt to complete the last mile of the first 56 miles, but only did one-fifth, when a sensation of cramps in his legs coming on, and weakness from want of nourishment and food, compelled him to desist and take a bath. This ■ was at 11 hours 21 minutes. Here four-fifths of the last mile was unfinished, and as it was to be done before 2 p.m. he had to finish them before that time, which ha did, between one and half-past one p.m. He rested till sixteen minutes past three, when he attempted the second 56' miles. He did only three miles and three-fifths, which was done with repeated rests at almost each, lap or fifth of a mile, when, he gave in altogether, forced by want of food and weakness. That is to say, his physical powers were taxed to their utmost, though he wanted, after some sleep, to go on again. But his backers, seeing that he could not go much further if he was allowed to do so, would not let him try. Here the feat ended, much to the disappointment of his backers. Mr. Kenearney himself says that it was from sheer weakness from want of food, and from drinking too much sherry and water, and from the heat of the sun he failed. He admits, nevertheless, that he was twenty years in excess of his prime, his age being forty-nine. He believes, also, that if his eating powers were in their natural tone, he could have accomplished the feat. This attempt at rivalry still leaves the palm to Hamilton. It was rumour.ed that some.of the Hamiltonians, 1 after Kenearney failed, offered ] to back Danvers to repeat his feat 5 hours under 4S hours. Over two hundred pounds is definitely known to have. changed hands over ' Kenearney's failure. Another ped, a Mr. Ross, will shortly essay the still more difficult task of walking to Auckland, taking the road as it comes, with the same weight. It is popularly hoped that he will change the ground and walk in Alexandra, where he will have a more level course, and at the same time gratify the curiosity of the public. He looks a man able for the task, having a predominance of bone and muscle, with none of that lymphatic, fleshy nature.—[Correspondent.] We extract the following items from the Times of yesterday:— On dit that Sir George Grey will pass through Hamilton this week, en route for the King country, to be present at a large feast to be shortly held by the natives there. Mr. B. F. J. Edwards, interpreter, has already preceded Sir George, having arrived at Alexandra on Sunday last, on his road to the interior. The Te Awamutu Volunteer Cavalry drill is now over. The members of the corps turned out, both in horses and accoutrements, in a very creditable manner. It must be satisfactory to the officers and drill-in-structor to see the men take such an interest in the troop. Several new members were elected, and amongst them a limb of the law. During the week Sergeant-Major Fraser took advantage of such a number of men being togetherto promulgate the blessings of Good Templarism. He succeeded beyond his ex- , pectations, over forty of them having put down their names as candidates for the coldwater cure. We regret to have to record the premature death of Mr. John Vere Hunt, at the ace of twenty years and seven months. The deceased was the son of Matthew Hunt, Esq., of Hunt's Grove, in the County of Tipperary, Ireland. He succumbed on the morning of the 13th, to a severe attack of typhoid fever, accompanied by inflammation of the brain. The fatal disease was brought on by a heavy cold contracted about a fortnight ago. Every care and attention was paid to the unfortunate sufferer, but every remedy was fruitless to prolong his life. The last rites of his Church were administered to him in his last moments, and he passed quietly away to his eternal home! The young gentleman was greatly respected by all who knew him, and his loss will be severely felt by a large circle of sorrowing friends. We learn that a brewery and flour-mill are about to be started at Alexandra. Mr. J. Hally, of Cambridge, visited that township last week, for the purpose of inspecting the stream and procuring a suitable site. We believe that such, an undertaking will not only be profitable, but of great advantage to the district. Thß~fact of the Maoris having sent to market this year nearly 10,000 bushels of wheat; augurs well for the future prospects of Alexandra, and the quantity of wheat grown by tin oatiTCfl will bo much

■larger when the approaching harvest is gathered in, as they have now more than double the quantity of land under crop thanduring tl;e previous harvest We learn that Mr. G. Quick's river steamer is to be completed and running on the Waikato within six weeks from the pre- 1 sent date. Her. dimensions-.will be 60 ft. overall by 40 ft. beam, built on the American river boat principle. Her engines are being constructed by Messrs. Fraser and Tinne, of Auckland, and work is being carried on early and late so as to have them completed and fitted up by the time above mentioned. Mr. Quick also contemplates building an iron boat of much, larger dimensions for river traffic. It is proposed by the Government to erect a new Telegraph and Post-office at Alexandra shortly. A sum. of money for that purpose has been placed on the estimates for two consecutive years, but the subject has during this time remained in siatu. quo. The tumbledown building -which has so long served for the business of these two important Government departments, is now found to be totally inadequate for the increasing business, and we are glad to learn that more suitable premises are at last about to be constructed. . • An inquest on the body of the unfortunate man, Henry Brown, who was drowned in crossing the Piako Hirer a short time since, was held before Major George, at the store of Messrs. Mowbra-y and Evans, yesterday. The evidence of James Walker, who found the body, was taken. James Black, a labourer, deposed thac he warned deceased not to attempt tv, cross tho river, but he persisted, and went. Sir. S. Ticklepenny was foreman of the jury, and a verdict of "accidentally drowned" was returned. Wo understand that it is the intention of several gentlemen of East and West Hamilton to niako efforts to establish a Hamilton Volunteer Corps again. For some cause or another the- corps which previously existed in" the towuslup dwindled down, and finally became disbanded: This, we think, was a pity. Wo owe a great deal to the pacific policy of the Government, and at present there seems very little daDger of an outbreak. But in congratulating ourselves upon this, wo should not allow ourselves to forget the use of arms altogether. In a country like New Zealand, and especially in a frontier settlement like this, the rising generation should know thoroughly tho efficient use of the rifle, and it cannot be taught them in a more attractive way than lay "volunteering." We. trust that the efforts of the movers in this matter will be attended with every success. On Saturday last a match at cricket was played at Te Awamutu, between eleven of the A. C. and eleven of the Cavalry Volunteers. The Cavalry team won by an innings and 14 runs.