WAIKATO DISTRICT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5994, 2 February 1881, Page 6

WAIKATO DISTRICT NEWS.

[from our own correspondents.l

Hamilton, Tuesday. As showing what Hamilton can do in the way of beef, Messrs. J. aud B. Coleman, butchers, have on view the carcase of a splendid ox, bred by Mr. Swarbrick, of the Hamilton-Hokonui Road. The animal weighed 12cwt. aud o,[rs., and quite a number of persons were attracted to the shop 1 this morning to see it. Complaints having been made that no sort of dress was worn by those who took part in the swimming matches on Saturday last, it is resolved for the future that swimmers shall wear short trunks. As they started far above and landed below the township, it was not thought necessary to wear these. Mr. Beasley, painter, of Ngaruawahia, who was returning from the Aroha yesterday, was thrown heavily from his horse, when about nine miles from Hamilton. There he lay till the c.oach passed, yesterday evening when the driver picked him up, and brought him 011 to Hamilton. Y\ hatawhata, Tuesday. Mr. Limmcr had a narrow escape, and as it was, lost his horse in crossing at the old ferry, over the \\ aipa here. He had crossed with horse and cart, but after landing, the animal backed down the inclined approach iuto the river, and was drowned. Te Awamutct, Tuesday. It is satisfactory to find that speedy mail connection with Hamilton is once more opened again, arrangements having been made for the conveyance of the up-country mails arriving at Hamilton at, 12.30 at once iuto the town, instead of then- lying, as has been the case for some time past, at the station till the arrival of the Auckland train at 5.30. There was a largely attended and very pleasant gathering 011 the Kihikilii racecourse 011 Saturday, on the occasion of the annual picnic of the Kihikihi Sunday-school, under the management of ladies connected with the school, Mrs. Short, Airs. Cowan, Mrs. Bridgman and others. [BY TELEGRAPH. — OWX CORRESPOND EXT.] Alexandra, Tuesday evening. Harvesting is rapidly going on at Ivopua, the crops turning out better than was expected. Tuhi. Tawhaio's brother-in-law, favourably known to Europeans, has lost his whole crop. While completing thatching, a large stack caught lire, and as no assistance was available, the whole was consumed, the produce of ten acres. Cambridge, Tuesday evening. Commissioners Kemp and Brookfield opened the sitting to-day of the Native Commission, appointed on the petition of the j members of the Ngitarautaroa tribe for the \ re-hearing of the proceedings of the Land Court in 1868, which dealt with the lands at j Pukekura, and other parts of Waikato. As will have been gathered from yesterday's report, a preliminary meeting "was held at Mauugatautari. These natives claim extensive tracts in the Upper Waikato elsewhere, as having been purchased by Europeans from the wrong owners. The proceedings to-day were chiefly of a formal character. Miss Elizabeth Nixon, of the Cambridge Public School, is a successful competitor for the district scholarship, entitling her to free tuition at the Auckland Girls' High Schol till IS years of age. The certificate was presented to-d-av. when the school prizes were distributed, to witness which there was a large gathering of parents aud friends. Ihe Rev. Abbot Alcock, 0.5.8., is now at the lakes for his health, and the Rev. Father O Gara. 0.5.8., is officiating in his place. At the annual meeting of the public library subscribers last night the Secretary's report snowed the number of subscribers to be ISS. Subscriptions renewed, £59 14s, beinc an increase of £15 on the preceding year. °The library is out of debt, and "contains 950 volumes. The balance-sheet showed an income of £<53 14s Sd ; expenditure. £62 10s 4d. Messrs. Heaney. Hewitt, Smith, Sergeant, and Rev. W. Willis were elected a committee for the current year. It was resolved that the accounts of the library and reading room be kept separate in future. Hamilton, Tuesday evening. Mi. Beasley, thrown from his horse oil the Piako road last night, lies in a precarious state at GWynne's hotel. He is attended by Dr. Edgelow. and is suffering from concussion of the brain, and it is feared that one of his kidneys i? ruptured. Mr. Hindle, of Whatawhata, is progressing favourably. °