COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5633, 5 December 1879, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

I'AP.-UOA. It seems to be necess.tr',- t!i:;t [ s!w;iM refer to the alleged discovery of gold here, though there is nothing to tell, except to deny the exaggerated statements which have been made. A writer in a North Auckland paper lately, who tells si wonderful a story about it, must have got his information from a group of "w.i-rs, who, finding him gullible, poked fun at him, to their heart's content. The fact is that, although a good bit of prospecting has been done lately in. and for miles round, Paparoa, no gold lias been found which can be proved to Lave been obtained in the district. A settler, a late arrival, named Mills, exhibited, some weeks ago, specimens of r ch quartz, which be avowed he had found somewhere in the district, though he would not, or coeld not point out where lie got thein from, and has not done so ytt. The specimens were sent to town, and tested, and found to contain 1034 ounces to the ton. There are people in Paparoa, as there are, perhap?, in every neuly settled locality, who believe valuable minerals to exist somewhere hamly, and the district is said to resemble the Thames in some of its features! Moved to hope, airl partial belief, by Mills's story and oft-repeate 1 asservatious that he had not brought the specimens from a far country, but had verily found them in Paparoa, some of these people, including a ci-devant gold miner, searched long and earnestly for the rich reef, but could tind neither it nor gold in any other shape. They have now, one aud all, returned to their farms. The opinion of those who know Mills best is that his statements are not to be trusted. They are, in fact, as X have heard him give them, confused and self-contradic-tory. \\ hat little excitement there has been is over now. Thoati most likely to kuosv say that if there is gold it lies deep. Aud thus cioies the brief chapter of the Paparoa gold discovery. Some exceptionally heavy thunderstorms have passed over the district during the past week. The damage done to the hay crops and rye-grass seed is considerable. The committee of the Uobson County Council has met, which was appointed at the annual meeting to apportion the £350 voted among the several highway districts, and to specify the works on which the boards should expend it. The allocation (made in proportion to rates collected) is as follows :—Pukekaroa, £$o, board to specify works and council to approve ; Paparoa, £70, to be laid out in acquiring aud opening deviation from Dodd s lull to school-bouse ; Wairau, £75, to be laid out on a new road through Air. TaiWa property; Alatakohe, £So; Okalia, £S5, both boards to recommend works, to be approved by council.—[Own "orre-spoudent, December I.J Boil tf AY. A ciiaxd enWtainuisnt was given on Friday evening, November 2S, in the Bombay school-room, by .Mr. P. Doian's albert Variety Troupe. The lirst part commenced with Mr. Love singing in grand style one of the latest songs of the day. Both first and second parts concluded with laughable farces, both of which were well appreciated by all in room, which was very well tilled, although no doubt if longer notice had been given, tlieie would have been a great many more present. The third part, as usual, was dancing, and it was kept up with great spirit till the small ho ,rs of morning. At the close, all seemed to go home we 1 satisfied with their night's amusement. We had no fewer than five services here on Sunday last, three of them were conducted by the ilev. Jl. O. (J. Biggn, one. at Mr. \V. Kudd's, about four miles up tile settlement. This, the first that has held so far ; n. was well attended. The singing was led by Mr. \V. lawyer, jun., both responses and singing were well joined in by the congregation. At the close of the service, a meeting was held to consider if a regular service could be given to them once a month, but no definite understanding was eomi to. At the monthly Dueling of the Paparata Highway Board Trustees, held in the Bombay school-room on December Ist, Mr. W. Sawyer, jun., was ngiiu appointed valuer for the district for the year ISSO-Sl. As he gave great satisfaction last year no doubt he will try to do the same on this occasion. —[Oivu Correspondent, December I.J

PUKEKOHE WEST.

Ox Wednesday, 2Gth ultimo, a grand vocal and instrumental coucert with a cliauia took place in the Catholic school-roum. The Pukekohe Minstrels gave their able assistance 011 the occasion. The hall was tastefully dccoratod with ferns, evergreens, flowers, &c., which gave a pleasing appearance to the building. There were about 500 persons present. A platform was erected by Mr. Patrick Walsh to accommodate the performers, who went through their respective parts with good judgment and precision. The Very lie v. Dr. McDonald addressed the audience. He said that nothing gave him greater pleasure than to be present on such occasions, having for their object the encouragement of the youth and tile promotion of kindly feelings amongst the people. He passed a well merited com p'imeut to Mi-s Margaret Sage, the zealous and iiuV fatigablo teacher of the Catholic school, for the manner in which she prepared her pupils, who executed with much taste the parts of the dramatic performance allotted to them. lie thanked also the Pukekohe Minstrels, who contributed so much to tile success of the evening. He referrred also in terms of praise of the school committee, who worked energetically. Dr. McDonald did not omit to speak in grateful terms of the members of other denominations, many of whom came consider, able distances to patronise the evening's amusement. The music was first-class. The piano was presided over by Miss Pilkey, of Pukekohe; Miss Constable, of Waiuku ; and Miss Wright, of Pukekohe. There were three violin?, well managed by Mr. William Watson, Mr. Hansen, and ilr. Samuel Miller. During the evening, there were several choice .songs well rendered, by several ladies and gentlmien. Amongst the former being Miss Margaret Sage, Miss Mary Leicester Itogers, Miss Margaret Kelly, Miss' Mary Sheridon. Hefreshments were served up in abundance, by Mrs. . McCaffery, Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. Hicltey, Miss Mach'hean, Mrs. Hogan, and Miss Catherine Mcßridc, who were incessant in attending to the wants of the audit-nce. Amongst the audience was an Arawa Chief of the Tuhourangi tribe, from Potokakahi. He took a very lively interest in the night's entertainment. The concert closed with ths National Anthem. Upon the whole it was most successful, and will bo long remembered with feelings of pleasure by these who were present. Kcunions of this nature tcad to create kindly and friendly feelings amongst the settlers, contribute to make fife happy, improve the mcntjl faculties, besides being a source of innocent amusement to the young and old. On Sunday, 30th ultimo, the new Catholic church of Pukekohe was opened for Divine service. J ts erection reflects great credit on Dr. McDonald and his people. The style is Gothic, and it measures 40 feet by 24. The plaus of the church were prepared by Messrs. Edward Mahoney and Son, and reflect credit on that tirin. The builder was Mr. George Revel, of Tuakau. The workmanship is everpthing that could be desired. It is a substantial work, and does credit to the builder, The above very rev. clergyman preached an appropriate sermon

on the occasion to a very large I This neat and commodious cmirch is another I ornament to the flourishing di.-ti ict oi I'ukekohe. — [A. Correspondent.]

RUAPUKE. " Beautifdl spring," in all its loveliness is here, and everything of an agricultural character gives promise of great things. Crops of all kinds are looking well, especially cereals. Pruit gives evidence of being more plentiful this season than last, although the sparrows as usual are frequent and unwclc me visitors to the orchard. Considerable activity has been shown by the Mao-is in plantiug potatoes, oic., this y«ar, ar,d consequently a lurge a -ea of native cultivat.on m;iy be S' en here. They (the Maoris) are ev dently becoming alive to the benefit which arises from a systematic course of agriculture, aud ;.re rapidly emerging from their primitive mode of gaining food, perceiving that it is mo e easy and profitable to pursue the pak lia's style of husbandry. The steamer wlrcb now p'ys regulirly between Raglan aud Onehunga, if she con inues to do so as satisfactorily in the future will ba of great benefit to' the dist ict. She supplies a want which has bit n louu felt here. The owner may rely on the settlers nlib'd ng her all the sujipoit they can, which wi.l no eloubt help to ensure the contiuuaiK-u ol such a seasonable advantage. Travellers from Waikato will, now that the summer is coming, be soon paying our pretty sea-port town of Ungla , a visit. Although hitherto an almost forgotten and much - neglected place, the splendid r. ad which now crosses the Waipa ranges, stems to be inducing tourists to seek a per.od of rest and relaxation, when it is so easily secured. There is a good deal to i c The scenery is extremely grand and for those who prefer sport there is plenty material both for the rod and gun to practice upon. The ride from the Waikato ia but a small matter now, more e.pccially since Mr. Sutton offers Buch splendid accommodation to travellers at the " Half-way Hotel," which has been erected in the Waitetuna Valley, midway between Waipa and Kaglan. Air. J. Aloou, I hear, intends also to open a house for the accommodation of travellers, which, 1 have no doubt, will also prove a comfortabe resting-place. The cattle sale which Messrs. Hunter and .Nolau lately held at Oketi, near tiaglan, proved a great success. Sellers appeared satislied with the prices given for their stock, and buyers evinced surprise at the number of cattle yarded. It would be well if the sellers encouraged the stile of stock at this market as much as possible, because I know of nothing which wuulel more readily stimulate the advancement of this district than the holding of periodical sale-3 of stock, etc. A local market for our produce is much required here, and such an undertaking must receive support from the settlers or it will not succeed. We have been favoured with a visit from the Kev. Mr. Brady, of Waikato (his farewell one, I believe), who conducted services to large congregations in Raglan and Oketi. About 70 persons attended his servico in Ilaglan, which proves that the population must be increasing. Mr. Savage, of Uaglan, and Mr. James Latrobe, of Oketi, have been appointed lay readers. Air. D. Burns contiuues to act with his usual energy aud success as lay reader for Kuapuke. On the 22nd instant a meeting of those interested was held in the Kuapuke Schoolroom, for the purposo of forming a cricket club. A large number of gentlemen attended. Mr. Duncan occupied the chair. After a set of rules for the use of the club had been submitted and adopted, the meeting proceeded to elect officers, with the following result President, Mr. Ellis; captain, Mr. C. E. McDonald; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. Duncan. Practice is to be carried on fortnightly iu Mr. Martin's paddock.

The Kaglan Book Club still continue to holil public lectures with undiminished success. A fortnight since Mr. J. N. Pegler lectured on " Unwritten History." A considerable amount of thougnt and research had been beßtowed upon its preparation, aud Mr. Pegler was rewarded by being listened to moat attentively by a fair audience during the time of its delivery. Siucc then Mr. \V. Duncan and Mr. VV. Powell have both read essays to good gatherings, the first gentleman dealing with " The Life and Works of Robert Burns," and the second with Protective versus a Free-Trade Policy ' After the delivery of the last-named paper a very interesting discussion took place, several gentleman in the ball speaking upon the subject. At the close of the meeting the chairman, Mr. Duncan, took a show of hands upon the two sides of the question, which proved that the free-traders were in the majority by one. Captain C. J. Johnston e, whose works on tbe Maoris are so well known, is, 1 believe, to be the next lecturer. His subject is not yet made known. It is to be hoped that the residents in and around Kaglan will continue to give their best support and encouragement to these lectures.—[Own Correspondent.]