COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6815, 20 September 1883, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

- '-tf' " '! ' fARATAPtf. Two Bhort essays were read at our Mntaal improvement Class on last Friday;, The a&» ttndauce was. small, bat it is to be hoped Ifc will not continue eo, for much information and practice it speaking, can ba gained at the meetings of this society. The first essay was by Waster W. Carr on "Philip 11. o£ Spain." Very favourable criticisms were awarded 1 to this essay, which was a really creditable performance in every way. Its delivery and composition wonid be ho disgrace to many older performera. The second essay was by Mr. A. Kowley", a Victorias* by b:rtb. His subject was "The Chinese in Victoria;,*' This wa3 Mr. 'Rowley's first attempt at essay writing, and as such ifc was fairly successful. The arrangement was faulty, and the delivery was low and hesitating, which did not tend to meiid matters. u e vri^er was severely criticised for the above-mentioned faults', and also for many of his statements. The essay was very much "anti-Chinee." Great preparations, are to be made for the • Improvement Class entertainment, which is fixed for October rath. The first rehearsal ■takes place on Tuesday. The programme is to be quite novel. The recently organised Aratapu Fire Brigade, tutficd Out tot their first, practice on Saturday afternoon. A meeting was called by the manager, Mr, Chit, to hear a letter and receive a present from Mr. Matthews, of Te Kopu.ru. The meeting was advertised [or Saturday at four p.ih., and at that hour » considerable number of ladies and gentlemen had assembled. The proceedings: began, by Mr. Carr reading the following letter front Mr. Matthews to himself (Mr. Carr) — "Will you be good enough to convey the sincere thanks of the proprietor (Dr. Camp-, bell) and myself to all the employes of your company at Aratapu for the very prompt and valuable assistance they so willingly and thoroughly rendered on the occasion of the fire here, oh Thursday night, and we feel it 16 largely due to their effurt.3, thfi fire was so successfully kept under control. It 'would be invidious to mention any special case of daring. Sc. We beg their acceptance of the enclosed cheque as a contribution t<j, their lilrary, or to any other object they may desire to apply it.—lam, &q., F. Matthews, Kopuru Saw-mill. Enclosed is a cheque for £25." The employes decided to divide the money equally between the Public library and the libraries of the Sunday-uchool and Band of Hope. A great omission: was madt in so much, that the meeting closed without returning thanks for the liberal acknowledgement of their services. I am pleased to be able to inform yourreaders that the Union Sash and Door Company did not stop payment for the time lost by several of the mill hands, through their attendance at the Kopuru fire. Such actions as this and Dr. Campbell's are pleasant to hear pf, and are worth recording; The Reehabites are still forging ahead, both here and at Mangawhare. Forty-three attended the Northern Star Tent, on Saturday last. They rejoice to find your Hoteo North Correspondent Writing of enquiries after Reehabitism, and desire me to advise the people of that district to embrace Reehabitism, as it is good. PARUA BAY, A mef.ting of the Highway Board was held on Saturday, the Ist instant, at which a rate of a halfpenny in the £ was struck for the ensuing year. No other busiueSs of importance -was before the meeting. A meeting of the Public Hall Committee was held on the same day. If was decided to build a porch in front of the building in which the library can be kept, the library to contribute half the cost. This is io be erected instead of the room at the back,, which vas first proposed. It was also decided that if funds permit, a gallery should be erected at the end of the Hall. It was reported that there was a balance of £13 in hand. Arrangements were made for a social gathering, to take place on the anniversary of the.opening of the Hall on Friday, the 14th September. One of the social defects of this place ia the isolation of the several families. No doubt the hilly character of the country, and the wretched character of the roads -will have to bear the most blame as the cause of this. An effort, however, is about to be made to remedy this defect. WAIPU. Plans and specifications for the Matsden Point Wharf have arrived from Wellington, and the works can. be proceeded with as soon as the County Council will take action. The Government, with prudence, has shirked the responsibility of determining the site for the wharf. The site ib left to the wisdom and discretion of the County Council to choose, betvve ii One Tree Point and Marsden Point. The plans are prepared for either site, but Mr. Viekerman. C.E., reported iu favour of Marsden Point, The main objection the settlers have tp this Bite is the impossibility of ever maintaining a good roa'i, owing to the loose sand, even were the site a safe one, while at One Tree Point a good road can be made at a. very moderate cost. In choosing a terminus oa that harbour the interest of this community should not be ignored, as has, unfortunately, too often been the ease. I hear that our old friend, the s.s. Waitaki, is coming to pick up her old trade again, though iiow under a different company. This the settlers in this district hail with satisfaction, and it will relieve them from the monopoly and the indifference shown to their interests by the Northern S.S. Company. Though at present with three steamers a week, no later than last week our storekeepers had their perishable produce—such as cases of fowls, egys, &c., — left on the beach for three days, because it did not suit their whims to ship them. The manager and directors of tbr.t company should see that their servants protect the interests of their customers, aud not wean them from them by sheer indifference. The warm spring weather we have at present, with copious showers, is a great relief after the severe burst of bad weather we had a fortnight ago. Paddocks are beginning to put On their spring-like appearance, and feed for cattle is beginning to be more plentiful.—[Own Correspondent, Sep--tember 5.] MERCURY BAY. ThU trade of this place is likely to be of considerable importance before long, In all directions we see indications of progress. The marks of progress are not confined to one class of work, but include mill work and local industries. Mr. Meikle, our respected hoteikeeper, is getting' on vigorously with, his farm at Whenuakite. Ho has planted a splendid orchard this year of over 2000 trees, both fruit and Ornamental ones. He is also fencing in a large paddock he has ploughed and cleared and is laying down, in grass. If he gets along at this rate, in a few years he will have a splendid homestead. The next I bring under your notice. .is Mr. Hamilton. He is pushing, ahead, with pluck and energy. He also is clearing, ploughing, and feuoing. In a few years be will have, a very comfortable homestead. As for the remainder of our settlers, they are all moving with more or less energy and skill. Our little commnnity has. been stirred tip of late owing to some Curious decisions, in the Justice of the Peace Court. The decision's of J.P's. in many parts of the colony have become proverbial for their oddneas and some of the Cases which have been disposed of lately hire are likely to. be vert, lilated before a higher Court.—[A Coins pondent, September 5.]