COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6095, 31 May 1881, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

HUNTLY. Tuesday last was quite a red-letter day for the chiltlrenof Huutly, theschool committees having arranged to entertain the children. The school was very tastefully decorated for the occasion with nikati, ferns, &c., interspered with suitable mottoes. The day fortunately proved propitious, so that the children, to the number of eighty, enjoyed themselves thoroughly in the school ground with various outside sports, races, swinging, &e. At intervals they had refreshments. Most of the parents were oa the ground witnessing the enjoyment of their little ones, and, after the children were thoroughly satisfied, they sat down to an ample tea. At 7 o'clock an entertainment commenced, in which the children did their part in a creditable manner, singing several of their school songs, giving recitations, &c. Several gentlemen also enlivened the proceedings by singing song 3 of a miscellaneous character, among whom may be mentioned Messrs. Cox, Robertson, Schofield, Hetherington, Whitburne, Welch, Sampson, Pearce, Ward, and R. Ralph. On the motion of Mr. Costello, hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies, the committee, and the teacher. The room was then cleared for dancing.—[A Correspondent, March 27.] DARGAVILLE. The opening of the Dargaville school was celebrated by a soiriSe and concert on the evening of the Queen's Birthday. About 150 persons were present. After the visitors and children had partaken of a sumptuous repast, provided by Mr. McLean in his usual liberal manner, Dr. Norton (Chairman of the Dargaville School Committee) gave a short but very eloquent address on the benefits of education, and congratulated the inhabitants on having such a fine school to send their children to. Iu the course of his address he alluded to the great falling off in numbers on the daily roll, and said that if the parents did not send their children to school the compulsory clauses of the Education Act would liavo to be enforced. Mesdames Gould and Haslett then opened the concert with a lively duet, "Chime again, beautiful bells," which was played with much taste. The chief songs worthy of notice were Miss McAskie's rendering of "Half-mast high," and Miss Murray's song, "The Blue Alsatian Mountains." both bemg much applauded. Sir. Dendy's soner, "Ring out, wild bells," was also much aefmired. Recitations by Miss A. Donovan and Master A. Norton were well rendered. Master Finch's song, "The Fire Brigade," was heartily applauded. Mesdames Gould and Haslett played another duet, "Les .Jolis Oiseaux," which was decidedly the masterpiece of the evening. The National Anthem was sung by the company, and the room was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up until ail early hour, everyone seeming well pleased with the evening's entertainment.—[A Correspondent, May 27.] ARAPOHUE (NORTHERN WAIROA). Our neighbourhood has been enlivened by an evening soirue given by our kind neighbours Mr. and Mrs. Dreadon, at their residence, Pencolla House, on the occasion of their eldest son attaining his 21st birthday, and although the weather was very unpropitious, the attendance was very good. The evening commenced with a most substantial tea, which was done good justice to. After tea the young and old joined heartily in all kinds of games varied with an occasional dance. There were many good songs sung, especially those rendered by the Arapohue Singing Class, who indeed did great credit to their master. There were a few speeches. The young hero of the evening, Mr. Charles Dreadon, returned thanks in a very appropriate manner. —[A Correspondent.] WAIvAHARA. The monotony of this little district is usually broken by a monthly entertainment—either a lecture or a social gathering—tiie proceeds of which are to assist in making a library for the place. The library has not yet been opened, but during the following week it is anticipated that the event of first issuing the books will take place. Hitherto the stock of reading had to be drawn from a library in an adjacent district. It is hoped the inhabitants will not fail to exhibit their appreciation of this boon. The practice of Sabbath-breaking is getting quite an aunoyanee here. A visitor cannot remain in the district without having his feelings harrowed by shot after shot by men in pursuit of game. It can hardly be thought that the inhabitants are so demoralised and unchristian to openly sliow such a heathenish propensity. If strangers, the residents should do their utmost to prevent !,uch a low and degrading practice from pervading their district, and remove such an evil inHuencc from before the eyes and ears of their children.—[Communicated.] MANGAWAI. On May S the Rev. John liaselden preached at St. Michael's Church to a large congregation—large for these districts. There were upwards of a hundred present at the morning service, and the church was full at the evening scrvicc. Mr. Hasclden is the youngest son of Mr. C. Hasclden, of To Arai, and, being an old identity here, the anxiety to see and hear him was very marked. His discourses were most instructive, and listened to with attention. The total collections at both scrviccs was £1 Is 3d. The political news is not much. There was a meeting at the Beach to meet Captain McGregor relative to the steam servicc, but the captain was not present. However, p motion was passed favourable to the present service. The Road Board met on the same day, and passed and paid for the wharf : and also i held a general meeting to discuss the respective merits of Road Boards and County Councils. The interest in this was very small, as many wended their way home in preference to staying. It is difficult to say what was the result of the meeting. The new school is opened, and in full swing, under Miss Bella Ryan. There are 22 scholars oil the roll. At present everything is most satisfactory.—[Own Correspondent.] MANGONUI. A very successful concert of vocal and instrumental music was held in the schoolhouse, Mangonui, on Wednesday evening, the 25th instant. There was not such a full attendance of the general public as on former occasious—some remaining away from conscientious motives. The object was to raise the neuclus of a fund to purchase a piano to place in the public hall that is in contemplation. An excellent programme was gone through in a very creditable manner, and where all tried their best, it were invidious to particularise. The present dry weather is having a very injurious effect on the whole district. Pasture is dried up everywhere. We can count this drought from the month of October, ISSO. There has not been sufficient rain since to start the grass. The new sown grass is a failure in almost all places. Iu some places the seed never germinated. It will be a trying winter for cattle. Our days are like summer, and our nights remind one of severe winter. A few mornings ago there was ice in the Oruru Valley, one-eighth of an inch thick. Instances of this kind are exceedingly rare here. —[Osvn Correspondent, May 26.]

MAHURANGI CALEDONIAN SPORTS. Ocr annual sports came off on the 24th instant. The day wa3 beautiful. A large number were in attendance from Mahurangi and adjoining districts, and in the afternoon a number of ladies were on the green. The following are the principal events :— Tilting the Ring. Three entries. O. Dibble (Wellsford), Ist; H. Snook, 2nd. 440-yards Handicap Hurdle Race, over six flights of hurdles. C. Dihble, Ist; G. Sankey, 2nd ; G. Darrach, 3rd. 250-yards Handicap (for boys under 16 years), over four flights of hurdles. E. Clements, Ist; G. Snook, 2nd; W.Thomson, 3rd. 300-yards Handicap Flat Race. C. Dibble, Ist; M. Darrach, 2nd; G. Darrach, 3rd. 150-yards Race (boys under 12). Cecil McMurdo, Ist; G. Snook, 2nd ; .1. Darrach, 3rd. Three - lkggf.d Race. Clements and Snook, Ist; McMurdo and AVarin, 2nd ; F. Munro and Williams, 3rd. 100-yards Flat Race. C. Dibble, Ist; Cooper, 2nd; Matheson, 3rd. 150-yards Three-legged Race Handicap.—Sankey and McKinney, Ist: Clements and Snook, 2nd ; F. Munro and G. Snook, 3rd. 250-yards Maiden Race.—M. Darrach,; Ist; W. Matheson, 2ud ; G. Darrach, 3rd. 14-MILE Steeplechase.—C. Dibble, Ist D. Morison, 2nd ; G. Darrach, 3rd. Pole Race, 150 Yards.—F. Munro, Ist; Rainer, 2nd ; G. Snook, 3rd. 200-yards Consolation.—AA r . Matheson, Ist; Cooper, 2nd ; G. Darrach, 3rd. Running Long Jump.—J. Clark, Ist, (17A-feet); Sankey, 2nd ; Dibble, §rd. Pitting the Stone. —E. Morison, Ist; AY. Wilson, 2nd ; J. McKinvin, 3rd. Running High Jump.—A'ipond, Ist; J. Clark, 2nd ; M. Darrach, 3rd. Tossing the Caver. —E. Morison, Ist; JI Morison, 2nd ; A\\ Snell, 3rd. Vaulting with Pole.—F. Clark, Ist (9ft. 7in.); G. Dibble, 2nd; AVarin, 3rd. This was closely contested; difference between second and third only a few inches. Throwing tiie Hammer.— E. Morison, Ist ; AY. Snell, 2nd ; J. Snell, 3rd. Each event was keenly contested. A select quadrille party took place in the Mahuranhi Public Hall in the ovcuing, when dancing was kept up witli spirit until 12 p.m. The whole of the prizes will be paid at the Warkworth Hotel 011 Saturday, the 4th June, at G p.m. —[Own Correspondent, May 27.] KAI TUMUTUMU RACES. A very successful day's racing took place at the above place last week, and was largely attended, the steamer having been laid 011 from Ngaruawahia, and the utmost good feeling prevailed amongst both Europeans and natives. The following were the results of the various races :— Handicap Hurdle Race, over eight flights of hurdles; distance, 2 miles.—Laing's Blink Bonny, Ist; Noxe's Loafer, 2nd; Limmer's Stella, 3rd. A capital race, all keeping well together. The pace was tremendous. Maiden Plate ; distance, 1| miles.— Pepa's Kai Namo, 9st. lOlbs., Ist; Naowi's AYhananga, 9st. 21bs., 2nd. Mossele, Red Devil, and Tc Witi also ran. Pony Race (14 hands); distance, A mile heats.—Pepa's Bobtail, Ist: Tainui's PakehaMaori, 2nd. Little Dick, Blazers, and Shamrock also ran. Kai I.'cmu Cup ; distance, 2 miles.— Pepa's Kai Namo, Ist (hard held) ; Laing's Blink Bonny, bad 2nd. Derby ; distance, 2 mile ; for two-year-olds only.—Ralph's roan filly, Ist; Munro's b c, by Pacific (disqualified) ; Laing's Louis, 2nd ; Storey's Shamrock, 3rd. Settlers' Race.—Hawera Maki's Puka Kai Hona, Ist; Noxe's Loafer, 2nd ; MeKinnon's Charley, 3rd. Consolation Race.—Munro's Laycock, Ist; Noxe's Loafer, 2nd. Bromfield's Mossele and Randall's Pakeha-Maori also ran. This brought to a close the most successful meeting that has been held in the Lower AYaikato. It is proposed to amalgamate the Churchill, liangiriri, and Kai Tumutumu Race Clubs, and to hold one good meeting at Ohinewai, in which case there will be some substantial amounts to run for.

HOTvIANGA. Tiik contractors for the Herd's Point AYharf, Messrs. Webster Brothers, are hard at work driving the piles, hut the bottom is so exceedingly rocky and hard, that the progress is necessarily slow. They hope, however, to do better when tlioy get further out. The timber being used is all heart of totava, and of iirst-class description, and looks substantial enough for a wharf double the size. }Ir. R. Cochrane was the successful tenderer for the wc-rks upon the IlorekeOkaihau Road, for which tenders were invited by the County Council some time ago. The price is a trifle over £1000, but without the bridges over five creeks, and when these are proceeded with, no doubt the whole allocation of £1500 will be absorbed. Mr. Cochrane has already started to work, having sub-let the greater portion. The Herds l'oint-Takahue Road is nearly completed, and travellers will soon be able to reach Mangonui from here, in one day's travelling. I am told that the road passes through a magnificent tract of country, known as Manganui-o-wae, purchased some years ago from the natives by the Government. As soon as the road is opened, I intend to take a trip along it, and shall then be able to report upon the country generally, from personal observation. The Omanaia Native School has been formally opened in the new buildings, and is now in full swing. Mr. Cockroft has been appointed teacher, and no doubt under his management satisfactory results will soon be shown. The present attendance of children is about SO, but several more are expected to attend. The Government has been most lavish lately in its Native School expenditure in this district, and it will be very interesting to note the results to accrue from it within the next few years. The scheme of thoroughly educating the Native youth will, at any rate, have a fair and full trial in those parts. At the R.M. Court on the 23rd inst., before Mr. Von Stiirmer, R.M., an application by James McLeod was heard, for closing the Harp of Erin Hotel at Herd's Point, under section -19 of the Licensing Act, IS7I. Miss C. H. Luiulon appeared to represent her sister, Miss M. E. Luudon, the licensee. The abandonment by Miss M. E. Lundon was not denied, but it was pleaded that the house had been kept open and properly conducted during her absence by her sisters, and that a transfer to Mr. G. Barry hail been applied for, and would be heard on the 7th inst. by the Licensing Court. The Bench dismissed the complaint.—| Own Correspolident, May 25. J

Scarcity* of Money.—There is no doubt but the present condition of all kinds of business and ndustry is fearfully depressed, and it behoves every family to look carefully to their expenses. "Winter is coming on when children are liable to Croup, "Whooping Cough, etc. Coughs and Colds will prevail everywhere, and Con ; uwption, with other throat and lung diseases, will carry off many. These diseases should not be neglected. Doctors' bills are expensive, and we should advise our people to use Bosciiee's German Svrvp. Jt never has failed. One bottle at 3s Cd will keep your whole family well during the winter. Two doses will relieve asy case. Sold in all towns in New Zealand, and wholesale by New Zealand' Drug Company, Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, and. Chris (church: