COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5299, 9 November 1878, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

110KIANGA. A VERY good harmonium has lately been purchased by subscription for the use generally of the various denominations in ;he township, aud to prevent bickering it has very wisely been vested iti four trustees elected indiscriminately by the subscribers, aud Mr. Millar, wiio was mainly instrumental iu carrying the affair successfully through, has kiuJiy consented to become the custodian. The hr.raionium was for tho first timo used h'.tt sun lay in the Wesleyan Chapel here, and was most higMy commended, being dene full justice to by the young lady who kindly volunteered her services for tile occasion.

I see in a late issue of your paper a letter from "Tiiuaki," calling attention to the public inconvenience which is caused by the delay iu the delivery here of our Auckland mail, and the gem-rally unsatisfactory state of the present service as regards time. Xo greater proof of the justice of his remarks could be wished for Lliau the fact that his letter,, which was written on the 7th October, did not appear in your paper until the 29th, and was not received here until the 2-ith. Items of news which I periodically supply to you a3 "Own Correspondent,' are so thoroughly stale when they are read in print here, that I am often disgu3ted with myself for writing them at all, and am tempted to fabricate matter, which will at least have the spico of originality. For instance, this present letter, which X am nonr writing on the 29th October, will not reach Auckland until the 2nd November, and will not be published in the Weekly News until the 9th, and consequently will only be received here on the 14th. There ia no doubt whatever that it is quite feasible to have thd mail leaving Auckland on the Monday, delivered here on the Wednesday forenoon, and, time being allowed to answer letters, tho outgoing mail could leave hereon Wednesday evening, and arrive at Snssell on Thursday, to be delivered in Auckland on Saturday morning. Such an alteration would be an immense boon to settlers and business people generally, and the present mail contractor informs me that it would render his work far lighter than at present, doingaway with his two separate trips a-week, for he lives at the Bay of Islands eud. The Post-oifioe authorities always shew themselves so rea ly to oblige, that I cannot but think this matter only requires properly representing to bs remedied.—[Own Correspondent.]

"WAIPU. The election of Councillors for the different

Ridings of Whangarei County Council are causing some stir. The Councillors for Waipu aud Mauaia have been returned unopposed ; but at Hilcuranga, Mangapai, and iSgunguru the seats will be contested. Eight candidates have came forward for Hikurangi, four for Maugapai, and two for Ngunguru. 1 regret to state that we have lost one of our oldest and most respected settlers —Mr. John Fraser, of the upper district. He was one of the pioneers of the Waipu district, and won the regard of all with whom he came in contact, by his kindly disposition. He was an honest, industrious man, and the best of neighbours, aud was well-known and much respected throughout the Count}'. He wa3 buried on Tuesday ; a very large gathering of the friends and relatives of the departed gentleman attended the funeral.— [Own Correspondent, November G.] KAWAKAWA. The Black Diamond Lodge, 1.0. G.T., commemorated its third anniversary with a soiree and dance, in the Public Hall, on Friday, the Ist inst. The weather wa3 highly favourable, and there was a very large gathering of adults and juveniles. Mcsdauies Allender, Forbes, Finch, Hansen, Harrop, Maclean, Macphcrson, Trimwell, and Wilson ; and Misses Watson and Wilkinson, presided at the tables, which, before the boys got round them, were loaded with every variety of confectionery. After all had partaken of the good things provided, the room was arranged for a public meeting. Mr. Win. Edwards, teacher from Pakaru, was- invited to preside. The programme was of the usual varied character, comprising addresses, soDgs, duets, and instrumental selections upon the pianoforte. The Juvenile Templar Choir sang hymns and choruses in a very pleasing manner ; also, the anthem, "I will arise," sung by Mr. and Mrs. H. Lane, Miss Brown, and Mr. Christy, from the loading ground, was highly appreciated. Four young ladies—Misses liryers, Edwards, Middleton, and Parker— pupils at Mra. Tautari's seminary at Tarnahere, contributed largely toward the musical portion of the programme, in amapufor that reflected credit upon their teachera; L . It was a very pleasing feature to hear, "Chime again, beautiful bells," " Mother, weep no more," and " What are the wild waves saying ?" sung with great accuracy and sweetness. In the comic line, Mr. Macready brought down the house with " Hard-up," aud Mr. Lorrigau, as usual, was well received in "She Laughed Behind her Fan." Mr. Wilson played the accompaniments. Though the building was densely packed, the order throughout was very good. The usual vote of thanks to the chair, the tea-makers, and tho3e ladies and gentlemen who had so cheerfully given their able assistance as musicians, closed an interesting evening's entertainment. Those who wished to dance stayed until 2' o'clock on Saturday irorning.

The new manager for the miuos, Mr. Moody, jun., arrived by tho s.s. llotorua, on Monday last. There is a large family of child.-en, and, with servants, governess, mamma, and two grandmammas, the population of Ifawakawa has received valuable additions. The steamers Hero, Rotorua, and Taranaki are expected in during tho week for coal, besides the customary fleet of coasting craft. Here the spring has been very fine. The cattle and horses are becoming sleek, fat, and lazy, from the abundance of grass, while vegetables in the small garden patches look remarkably healthy, and fruit trees promise an abundant harvest,—[Own Correspondent. November 4.1