COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4748, 3 February 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

COUNTRY NEWS.

MERCURY BAY—IMPORTANT MEETING. A large and influential meeting of the settlers in this district, was held on Saturday, the 26th January, for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of having this district formed into a separate county. Among those present were Mr. William Meikle, Mr. Thomas Carina, and Mr. A. Smith, the members for the County Council ! for this district. Mr. A. Smith was voted to the chair. Having read the advertisement convening the meeting, he explained several portions of the Act, -and showed the advantage by having this district formed into a separate county. Mr..°Meikle addressed the meeting at some length ; he explained the nature of the business transacted at the tirst meeting of the Council in Coromandel, and also quoted various portions of the Act with reference to the formation of a new county. He was quite sure that the required area of country was to be obtained, and as to the number of electors he had no doubt, they would succeed in getting the three-fifths required by the Act. He was quite willing himself to help the Coromandel people in working out the Act, and he had no doubt the other members and the settlers were too. But there were several other points to be considered. In the first place, the Act could not properly be.worked, unless they had a meeting of the Council once every month, or perhaps ofteiier. And as to himself he could not spare the time. Besides, there are several rivers to cross, and should any freshets occur, they might either be detained in Coromaudel several days, or perhaps not be able to go at all. Taking these and othr?r things into consideration lie thought it far better they ehould have a separate county of their own, with Whangapoua included, and had no doubt the Coroinandel people would assist them. The following resolutions were then severally proposed and seconded :—l. "That a petition be prepared praying the Governor to constitute the Mercury Bay riding into a separate county to be called the Whitiangi County." 2. "That the settlers of Whangapoua be requested to join us in the new county, and that the chairman forward these resolutions to them, asking their consent and co-operation." 3. "That Mr. Meikle be authorised by this meeting to wait upon the Govemmeut and urge upon them the desirability of granting us the new county, and generally to place our position and views before them." These resolutions were carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, when the meeting terminated.

PORT ALBERT. The annual meeting of the Port Albert Literary Club and Public Library came off on January 2Gth. The customary preliminary tea, which was of usual excellence and abundance, having beeu disposed of the eveuing meeting or concert (it being mostly musical, with a slight admixture of business) began at 7 o'clock, Mr. S. Kdgar presiding. The programme was a good one, and the preformers were members of the Saturday Half-holiday Club, and Miss Edger aud sisters, and Air. Probert from Auckland. The secretary of the Literary Club and Library then read the annual report. The following are the chief passages :—" During IS7G there were 30 members' names on the books, being 5 less than the preceediug year. The monthly meetings for paper 3 and discussions, that hacf been a prominent institution of the society since its origin ten years since, had ceased altogether during the past twelve months, but it was gratifying to know that similar efforts in connection with societies in the district are not loss frequent than heretofore. Owing chiefly to the revenue of the society coming in later in the year than usual, no purchases of books had been made during IS7G. The committee had, however, prepared an appendix to the original catalogue printed, and expended £1 ou re-binding damaged vols. They had also made unproved arrangements for classifying and issuing books to subscribers. They have also just remitted cash to Auckland for 30 vols. o£ an interesting description, which are expected to arrive and be ready for circulation in a few weeks. The committee again recorded their sense of the kindnesa of Miss Carpenter who, through the past, as for a number of years previous, has regularly forwarded free the lUaMrated Londot News for the use of the members. They also express their gratitude to Mr. Edger, for the Oneula Circular and the A mcriccli Socialist. Ihe issue of books from the library during the year has been 454. The total number o: volumes m the library are now Gl3, and when those already purchased arrive will bo C 43 volumes." The following oflieers and committee were then elected for the vear 1577 :-President, Mr. J. Shepherd J l" secretary Mr. G. T. UartneU; treasurer; Mr. W. l<. Judson; librarian, Mrs. liartuoll • committee, Messrs. J. W. 0. Smith F* Ward, B. M. Gubb, Geo. L. Harfcnell, G. (J Nicholson. The balance-sheet for th'e year' submitted by the treasurer, Mr. W. F Judsoii. showed totals : —Receipts, £913s 2dexpenditure, £9 12s Cd ; leaving a balance of 3d. The rest of the programme was then proceeded with,—Own Correspondent.'] ■'■••

MERCER. The accommodating tendencies of the enterprising proprietor of theWaikato coaches, Mr. W. K. Carter, have prompted him once more to respond to the requirements of the travelling public. In anticipation of a considerable influx of visitors for the forthcoming races to be held at Ohaupo on the otn and 9th February, he will run a daily coach between Mercer and Hamilton. No doubt, those who desire an uninterrupted journey will avail themselves of Mr. Carter's overland route, in preference to the steamers, which, owing to the low state ; of the river and other casualties, frequently subjects their passengers to considerable delays and annoyances.

Although a tender has been accepted for the erection of a schoolroom, &e., here, the work cannot at present be proceeded with, tor lack of sufficient funds. Let mo suggest, therefore, that our energetic chairman, Mr. -L. Wells, should have recourse to the very general and popular method of raising funds for like purposes, by organising a concert and dance. : • . ■■ ° :

The new Telegraph and . Post-office is rapidly approaching completion. This' erection, although its site is somewhat faulty, will add considerably to the appearance 1 of our little township.—fA. Correspondent, January 29.] '

MAHURANGI. :. The difficulty of getting the district .Justices of the Peace to sit on the Bench, on Court days, is beginning to be very much felt by parties having business with our local law Court. The settlers are scattered, the district extensive, and, as a consequence on a Court day, when the Clerk of the Court or the district constable cannot secure the! attendance of a second magistrate, the have to be adjourned; to'the'great incon l ' venience of many. Already many have to • depend upon the chapter of accidents more than on any thing else as to when their cases are called on for hearing. Sucli a state of things is most anuoying. When, settlers have the privilege and honour of .attaching J. P. to their names they should endeavour to fulfil official duties ; and I very much fear that if their atteudance on Court days is not more insisted upon, the loss, trouble and inr • convenience will be more general. In my opinion, the Clerk of the Court should keep a rota of attendance, and those gentlemen, who neglect their duty, when asked or written to, should be reported to the Government with a view of having his or their names erased from the roll of magistrates for the colony. No one should be appointed a .J.P.'ur a country district who does not undertake to give' a portion of his time towards getting through the local Court business.

Mahurangi is about losing the services of its efficient and obliging postmaster and telegraphist, Mr. Bates, as I hear he is under orders to proceed to another station. During the many years that Mr. Bates has been au official and settler here, he has been a good public servant, discharging his duties very impartially, and to the satisfaction of the district generally, that he is popular aud deservedly bo, I admit. And there are many who will much regret his leaving, and wish him success in the future. It is not known who is to be Mr. Bates's successor.

Wo had a cricket match between the Port Albert and Warkworth clubs on last Friday ;■ at the conclusion it was found that Warkworth proved victorious in one innings with 12 runs to spare. Another match between eleven youths of the township and an equal number from the country will be played on Friday next.

Tha forthcoming races promise to be a great success. Great attention is being paid to tho training of the northern horses.— [Correspondent.]

EASTERN MAHURANGI. The annual meeting of householders of the above-named district was held in the school room oa the 22nd ult. There were but few persons present, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee for the ensuing year, viz:—John Darraeh, W. P. Moat, George Scandrett, James Tozer, and Mr. "Willets. The committee met immediately after and appointed Mr. William Pollock Moat chairman. Mr. Jame3 Tozer, lam proud to see, has been appointed valuator for the district. This time the right man is in the right place. lam certain there is not a ratepayer in the district who does not approve of the appointment. Mr. Thomas Scott is erecting a largo twostoried building in what is known as~Scott's hay, on what was formerly the site of the well-known Mahurangi Heads Hotel, and which was a few years since destroyed by fire, and by which Mr. Scott became a heavy lo3er. KAUKAPAKAPA. Ox Saturday, the 27th January, the settlers of Kaukapakapa met at the Public Hall to settle local matters for the ensuing year. Public School. — The report of the secretary to the School Committee was read. Mr. G. W. Murray had been appointed teacher, with the sanction of the Central Board, in the place of Mr. S. J), ltikys, resigned. Mrs. Marks had been appointed teacher of needlework. The committee of 1875—Messrs. W. Dan-son, C. Symcock, M. Hudson, W. Naughton, and M. U. Henley— were re-elected.

Poblic Hall.—An abstract of receipts and expenditure, covering two years, was read by Mr. G. W. Murray, secretary to the Committee of Managemgnt. Among the items of receipt were : —Keceived for use of hall, £5 Os Gd ; proceeds of soiree, £15 Ss Gd. There was a balance in hand of £14 10s 7d. The abstract was passed and road, subject to the approval of the auditors. Messrs. M. Hudson and A. Thomson were elected auditors for the ensuing year, with instructions also to audit the accounts just read. Messrs. J. Symcock, H. Marks, Hutchinson, Stewart W. Lee, and J. Sinclair were elected trustees for next year, in addition to Messrs. R. Sinclair, G. \V. Murray, and M. C. Henley, trustees ex o£icio.

Library. — The library balance-sheet for the year was next read by Mr. Murray, secretary aud treasurer. Thirtyfour new books had been added to the library during the year, 25 of which had beeu generously presented by Mr. Acheson Thompson. An attempt had been made to negotiate a change of books with the Mahurangi Public Library, but failed on account of the distance and diiliculty of communication between the two districts. There was a balance on hand of £2 14s. lid. Messrs. K C. Henley, M. 0. Henley, F. Dye, and Gγ. W. Murray, were elected committeemen for 1877. i>lr. \V. H. Goodwin was re-appointed librarian. A special vote of thanks was accorded, for his donation of books, to Mr. A. Thompson, who was elected a life member. A resolution was passed that a donation to the value of ten yeare' subscription entitle the donor to life mem berahip.

Mail Matters.—After the business for which the settlers had assembled was over, the present unsatisfactory hours of arrival aud departure of the mail from Kaukapakapa, became the subject of remark. To suit the Helensville folks, the lliverhead steamer Gemini leaves Auckland at 1.30 p.m. (instead of 11 a.m. as previously), arriving at Itiverhead loug after i;ho Kaukapakapa mailman has left. '1 hus, the latest dates from town by the Wednesday and Saturday mails are Tuesday and Friday, and Saturday's papers do not arrive till the following Wednesday. It was proposed to draw up a request to the Chief Postmaster to send the Kaukapakapa mail by way of Helensville, instexdof through Ararimu, and thrice weekly instead of twico weekly. It was thought that this alteration could be effected with very little, if any, extra expense.—[Correspondent.]

UPPER maiii ;:.v:gl Tub Telegraph stall' mi-.- ;i supper and ball in the Public Hull. Wa.:. .-.ortli, on Friday evening, the I'Jih nit , in honor of the completion of new linc'tu W.iiwc-ra. Nearly 200 invitations were issued, but owing to the inclement weather only about 80 persons were present. A most excellent programme was provided by Mr. Thomas Bates. The supper was provided by Mr. Charles Thomson in his usual magnificent stylo. An open lodge meeting of the Hope of Mahurangi Lodge of I.U.G.T. will bo held in the Mahurangi Public Hall on Thursday evening, Febuary Ist, at C o'clock. Messrs. Edgar, Hen.us, and other gentlemen from Auckland, as already announced by handbills, are expected. No dancing will be allowed.

Great preparations are being made for visitors to the forthcoming races and cattle show. :