TE AWAMUTU JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5492, 24 June 1879, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU JOTTINGS.

Things in this district are at the present time of the year very dull, owing to the state of the roads by bad weather—fr.ists at night, and cold rains in the day—which tell greatly on all cattle in the paddocks. The new Court-house will be finished in about two weeks' time, aud will be a great convenience to the place, as all cases previously had to be heard in Alexandra. Very often people had to travel a distance of 12 miles to attend the Court. The contractor, Mr. Mandino, had made great progress with the work, considering the bad weather he has had to contend with. The material for the lock-up is also on the ground, but no start has beeu made as yet with its erection. Our active constable will be able to render some service when the place is erected, for, I im sorry to say, drunkenness is greatly on the increase in this district. A start has been made at the foundation for the new bridge over the Mangaho River, but, like all other contracts, it has been left till the winter has set in before a start was made. The foundation, which is to be of concrete, has to be put in below the bed of the stream; therefore, the contractors will have rather a difficult job on account of the river being greatly swollen with the late rains. Saturday last was a lively day with us, there being a review of the Waikato Cavalry during the visit of His Excellency the Governor. The troop numbered on parade 120, besides the Cambridge Mounted Brass Band. The Governor arrived on the ground at two o'clock, accompanied by the Hon. J. Sheehan, Colonel Whitmore, and the chief Rewi. The troop was drawn up in line for inspection immediately the Governor and party arrived, after which Beveral field movements were executed to the satisfaction of all present. The Cambridge Troop was in charge of Captain Runciman, vthilst that of Te Awamutu and Hamilton was in command of Major Jackson and Lieutenant Johnsson—the whole being under the command of Colonel Lyon. Troopers Bond and Pollard were the orderlies to the Governor and Colonel Lyon. The Governor, after addressing the men on their good drill and soldier-like appearance, gave two purses of £3 each, to be run for by troop horses only, His Excellency being judge for the occasion. The race took place with the following resulc : —lst race for troop horses, troopers to ride ; seven started ; it was won by Pollard's Derby, rider, S. Bond ; A. Bruce's Volunteer second. The next race was for troop-horses that had not run in the first race ; same conditions as first race. This race was won by J. Taylor's Arrow, rider, S. Bond; T. Bond's Wee Pet second. This closed the day's amusement, when the Governor and party started for the Ohaupo railway station, amidst the cheers of all present.—(Occasional Correspondent, June 23.)

Mrs. Bates, the tallest woman in the world, has recently giveu birth to a baby, which is described as probably the largest oil record. It weighed 23£1b5. f was 30 inuhea iu height, breast measured 24 inches, head 29 inches, and tho foot inches long. The mother is known us the Nova Scotia giantess, and stands 7 feet 9 inches in height; her husband, Captain Bates, a Kentuckian, being 2 inches shorter. This gigantic couple visited London some six years ago, and after , giving a series of public receptions, were married at St. Martin's Church, Charing Cross—an incident which attracted some ati tention at the time. L The superiority of cooking by Gas is beyond dispute. Mr. Soyer, the late renowned chef of the Keforni Club, London, achieved all hia triumphs of the cuisine by the use of Gas. The advantage in convenience, cleanliness, and eco- * nomy are quite as great relatively in the casa ' of the smallest family, as in that of the largest i public institution, if the Gas be properly ; burned, and carefully used. At a recent show in Birmingham, the following result was ob- > taincd by practical experiment with a Gas j Stove : —A joint weighing nine pounds, a large i family pie, a couple of ducks, two sorts of ) vegetables, fish, and soup, were all cooked at one time in the space of two hours, consuming about 40 feet of gas, which at Auckland prices would be yd. The Stoves are to be obtained £ cheap, and Mr. Parsons, tho Secretary of the t Gas Company, will be glad to give any informa tion on the subject.