COUNTRY ATEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Issue XVI, 3 December 1879, Page 3

COUNTRY A T EWS.

NGAKUAWAHIA. The dull times that have so long existed here have taken a turn for the better in some things. The kauri gum trade has assumed something like an epidemic amongst Europeans as well as natives. A great many of both races are now to be seen early and late searching for gum amongst the swamps, the only places where it can be found here. At the commencement of the fever £3S per ton was considered a good price, but it has gradually gone up in the market to £50 per ton. Mr. U. Dickeson, on behalf of Messrs. \Wker and Co,, paid from £50 to £53 per ton yesterday. Between three aud four tons changed hands, and several tons more will be in this week. Tie Wttik»i/u uto.oi N«r; s .t;ou Ou. ul ,.uj are feeling the effect of the railway running through the Waikato. I hear they have given notice to the captain aud crew of the Uangiriri that that steamer will be laid up some time thi3 month. A reduction has also been wade in the salaries of the employees. On the completion of the railway wharf here the company's steamers will only run from Ngaruawahia to Cambridge aud Alexandra, instead of Mercer, as heretofore. The weather appears to be settled now. All last we-.sk we were getting thunderstorms, with a great deal uf hail aud rain. —[Own Correspondent, Docember 2.]