COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4898, 28 July 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

COUNTRY NEWS.

, WAIROA SOUTH. Mil. S. Tiionx, who got severely hurt on tho evening of last Papakura market, has re- | turned from hospital nearly well, hut much ' disligured. An accident of a like nature happened to Mr. James Bell on the road near Drury, coming home from Mr. Buckland s cattle sale, on the ISth instant. Mr. Bell unwittiugly spurred his horse, which made him start, and Mr. Bell fell off on his back, and was iusensible for about half an hour, owing to the back of his head coming iu contact with the hard road. Being a heavy man, he had a narrow escapc of his neck bo ing broken. Mr. Hunter coming past at the time, conveyed Mr. Bell in his buggy to the Globe Hotel, Papakura, where every attention was paid him by mine host of the Globe, and next morning Mr. Bell was able to proceed to Wairoa little the worse, except possessing a stiff neck.—[Own Correspondent.}

POVERTY RAY. [vuom our. own' coiiKEsroNi/KST.] Gisr-.niNE, -July IS, 1577. J'lik subject which is now principally engrossing public attention is tobicco growing. A quantity of the fragrant weed was grown here last season by some Maoris ; but, owing to want of knowledge and experience in its culture, the crop was a comparative failure. Mr. Goteh, so well known for having lost red tins industry in Auckland, was, however, so convinced of the quality of the laud in thin district for the purpose that he is at present on a visit here, and has induced several of the settlers to give tobacco a fair trial during the coming season. If the estimate formed of the adaptability of the district is anything near the truth, we are likely soon to be in a position to export tobacco enough to supply the wants of a great portion of the colony. Mr. Hunt, of the W'aikato, has written to the Mayor of the Gisborne Borough, and Chairman of the Cook County Council, unfolding a scheme lie lias matured for laying a tramway between Gisborne and Ormond. Mr. Uunt asks for too much, and so will get nothing. However much we may desire to have a tramway or a railway, it is impossible to entertain the idea on the terms proposed. WADE. A movkment is now on foot to establish a local steamboat company and so insure a permanent steam communication with Auckland, —a want that has been most seriously felt in this district, "so near and yet so far : ' off. As the shares are only to be two pounds each, it is to be hoped most of the settlers will take up one or two, and send their money to Mr. Duuu, treasurer. There is no doubt atr.ll about its financial success, as a reference to the captain of the steamer Effort now runing here will show in black aDd white. —[A Correspondent.] DARGAVILL7S. Tne only news at the township of late is the arrival of a medical practitioner, whose employment we hope will be very small, but when his services .ire required we feel every confidence that medical skill and care will be shown us, a feeling never before felt in this important ri.ver district. I say important, for many hundreds live, and live prosperously, on its banks and tributaries. Not a few of the residents of the Wairoa feel the beneiit of the enterprising owner of Dargaville, in looking ahead and providing for them many benefits ; among the last efforts is r. doctor and a surgery well supplied with all the requisites for illness and accidents. The next important step will be the building of a church, neat in design, capable of holding 200 persons ; also other important buildings are, or will, be very shortly in the hands of contractors, and in a short timo Dargaville will become one of the prettiest townships in the ICorth Island.—[Oivn Correspondent.] NORTHERN WAIROA. Akatapu. —All the settlements upon this river are going ahead, but Aratapu is trotting, if not galloping, with a sure footing. Since my last notice of this place many and great improvements have taken place therein. There arc two very large commodious stores in COUI6C of erection, one of which I dare say is the largest building for use as a general store north of Auckland. There arc two butcher's shops, a baker's shop, and a boot maker's shop, a boat-building yard, gum stores ; and in connection with the mills there is an' engineer's shop, blacksmith's shop, and carpenter's shop. "There is also a district school, where Mr. Chilman as head teacher, and Mr. Wrigley as assistant, are daily engaged in giving instruction to a large number of children. A splendid hall has just been completed, and will be opened by a concert and b*U on Friday evening next, when all the talent on t ; ic river will be introduced to provide a good evening's entertainment. The hall is by far the largest one in the district, and is a most elaborate wooden structure. WAIPU. We arc sorry to state that the Rev. Mr. M'Kae is compelled, through ill health, to discontinue his ministerial duties at this place for a time. It is the rev. gentleman's intention to revisit Scotlaud. the bracing healthy climate of which country will doubtless have a benoticial effect up:a his failing health.