COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7402, 10 August 1885, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

MAHURANGI. The Mahurangi Tent, No. 6, 1.0. Rechabites, held their monthly meeting on the 23rd July, at the Public Hall, Warkworth. The following officers were duly elected and installed in their respective positions : — Bro. Nathaniel Wilson, P.C.R.; Bro. Geo. Guest, C.R.; Bro. John Richards, D.R.; Bro. W. G. Wilson, Secretary ; Bro. M. McMurdo, Treasurer ; Bro. A. J. S. Warin, B. Steward ; Bro. John Shell, C. Steward ; Bro. W. Wilson, Guardian; Bro. J. W. Moore, Levite ; Bros. John Riohards and A. Campbell, Auditors Bros. John Grimner, J. W. Boon, and C. N. McMurdo, Trustees of the tent funds. Several new members were proposed, and at the request of the tent, Bro. C. N. McMurdo resigned his appointment of medical officer. The Rodney Lodge of Freemasons, No. 1711, E.C., held their monthly meeting on the 30th July at the Masonic Hall, Warkworth. The W.M., Bro. E. J. Clement, was in the chair. Bros. H. Haydon and Walter C. Vipond were raised to the sublime degree of M.M.'b. The subject of a ball in connection with the lodge, was disoussed, but the further consideration of the subject was postponed until the next meeting. The Government have not as yet offered terms favourable to the formation of a mouuted infantry corps. Mr. T. B. Hawkins is in communication with Colonel Lyon on the subject, but the capitation grant seems to be the principal difficulty. The weather lately has been very bad, and the roads almost impassable, In spite of their state, however, the mail coach runs regularly, and has proved a great boon to the district. During the intervals of dry weather, fruit tree planting is going on vigorously, but farming generally is rather quiet.—[Own Correspondent, August 4.]

ARDMORE. One of yourWaikato correspondents, writing about a cheese and bacon factory, says, " It is stated that the balance will be on the wrong side of the ledger, as in the case of other cheese factories," and he recommends the farmers to sow winter food for the cows, to increase their milk-producing power. But if we look a little at the debit balance, we will soon see how it is produced. The power—assuming it to be steam—is needed only in the spring and summer months ; and, when stock is taken, a certain sum must be allowed for depreciation of value in machinery. Could this power be used outside the cheese factory proper, during the autumn and winter months, in, say, chaffcutting, or other agricultural operations, and in the neighbourhood of towns, in sawing fire-wood into lengths? Once, when calculating the chances of a paper mill in New Zealand with a oolonial printer, we came to the conclusion that it could not be remunerative unless it could be kept going night and day ; and, in like manner, the power employed at a cheese factory during the spring and summer, if transferred by shaft or belt outside, and utilised, might prove a source of income during the autumn and winter. Then, the manager's salary is probably by the year ; and, if he be a handy man, he could superintend the use of the engine during autumn and winter as well as spring and summer. During a visit I once paid to the Fall of the Genessee River, in the United States, I found the heavy shafting generally run parallel to the river, and was let out to subordinate factories at certain rates, much in the same manner as the power at Masefield's Foundry is let to printer and mechanio in Albert-street. The opening of our branch pout-office has led to an increase in the number of daily newspapers coming to the distriot, and the facilities for correspondence is increasing the number of letters and postal cards. —[Own Correspondent, July 29.]

NORTH ALBERTLAND. The Band of Hope held their monthly meeting in the Public Hall on Saturday, the 25th July. The night was fine, and the hall was well filled. The Te Arai district was well represented. The proceedings did not commence until one hour after the time stated in the notice, and great complaints were heard of the want of punctuality. The proceedings commenced by singing a hymn. The minutes of last meeting were read, and roll called, when the attendance was 51. The speech by the President, Mr. R. Henderson, was on "Chemistry of Alcohol," and " The History of Drinking Customs." Recitation, "Some Drink," George Browne; reading, "The Lawyer and Auctioneer," Mr. W. Mathieson; hymn 117; speech, "Physical Effects of Drink," Mr. E. Browne; recitation, " The Glass of Wine," Frances Henderson ; reading, " Sarah Grabb : a Bit of Her Mind," Miss Browne; song, " Temperanoe Boys and Girls are We, ' Misses Sarah Powell and Ellen Heywood and Edward Browne, jun. ; speeoh, "The Promotion of Fools," followed by a recitation, "The Death of a Soul," Mr, Isaac Powell; hymn 90; a Lancashire reading, "The House that Jack Built," Mr. Ward. The meeting was brought to a close by singing hymn 9. The winter, so far, has been a very favourable one. The grass is growing and looking well. The roads are in better condition than they generally are at this time of the year. Some of the settlers are not satisfied at the turn affairs have taken in Road Board matters, and are about getting up a petition either to divide the district, or to amalgamate with the adjoining districts of Te Aral and Mangawai, believing their interests to lie more on the eastern side of the district than on the west.—[A Correspondent, July 31.

BOMBAY. The monthly meeting of the Band of Hope was held in the Wesleyan Church on Tuesday evening, July 28. Tho church was full. The Rev. P. S. Smallfield presided. There were five competitors for Mr. Forde's prize for reciting by boys, viz., Robert Clements, Thomas Cornthwaite, Samuel Allison, George Swetman, and William Swetman. Only two came forward to compete for his prize for girls under eight years, viz., Lizzie Carter and Alice Cornthwaite. Messrs. Morgan (East Pukekohe) and Ripley (Te Aroha) kindly acted as judges. They had some difficulty in deciding the best four of the boys, whom they considered equal, and both the little girls were equal. A third gentleman [Mr. Bridgeman), was asked to assist the judges, when the recitations were repeated. Samuel Allison was declared the winner of the boys' prize, and Lizzie Carter of the girls' prize. Recitations by Alice Cuthbert and Sarah Sharpe were nicely rendered. Short addresses were given" by the Chairman and Mr. Ripley, also short readings by the Chairman and Mr. Morgan. Mr. Morgan deferred his address until next meeting, as it was getting late. The usual selections from Hoyle'B temperanoe melodies were sung, Mr. Lindsay presiding at the organ with his usual ability. A very pleasing part of the programme was the presentation of a beautiful silver locket ana chain, by the Chairman, on behalf of friends of the Band of Hope, to Miss Isabella Allison for voluntarily oleaning the church after the Band of Hope meetings. Mr. Allison, on behalf of his daughter, suitably acknowledged the gift. He was sure his daughter did not clean the ohuroh with the expectation of receiving anything. They were always willing to thing to forward the cause of temperance. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Forde for his prizes, also to Messrs. Morgan Ripley, and Bridgeman for kindly acting as judges. Before the meeting closed the Chairman announced that Mr. Farrar would give two prizes at the next meeting, one for boys and the other for girls.

On Wednesday evening, a lecture was delivered in the Public Hall by the Rev. P. S. Smallfield, the subjeot being " The "Stars." The lecture, whioh was illustrated by charts and diagrams, was the eighth in oonnection with his evening olass. The lecture was vary instructive, and much appreciated by the audience. At the close a hearty vote of thanks was moved by Mr. T. E. Jones to the lecturer for his very instructive lecture, coupling with it the choir for the selections of music rendered at intervals, which was carried by acolamation. — [Own Correspondent 3rd August.]

reducing Kaiwaka School to half-time is calculated to provoke a feeling of irritation among our settlers. That a school having an attendance of over 20 soholars should be placed on half-time with a school 12 miles distant, while midway between the respective districts is situated a school enjoying the advantages-, of full time, though the children attending scarcely exceed 10 in number, is a decision very incomprehensible,_ not to say Injudicious, and not in conformity with the ordinary intentions of the Board. Before the Board decided upon this retrograde step, they were acquainted with the circumstances that had produced the previous wretched attendance, and were fully aware that the decline so painfully manifest was solely due to the teacher.—[Own Correspondent, Ist August.] _

POLLOK. Thk monthly meeting of the Pollok Mutual Improvement Class was held on Monday evening, 27th July. It was well attended, several being from Awita. The Awitu people saw that a trip here once a month, when mounted on good horses, the moon at the full, and the woather fine, is a treat of itself, but in addition they consider thatjthey are getting a considerable amount of information along with enjoyment. They also find that the speakers are gaining confidence to stand up before an audience to read, sing, recite, &c., which is something in itself. After the preliminary business was gone through, the programme was commenced : — Mr. John Torbett, serio-comic reading ; Mr. John Irwin, of Awitu, gave a humorous reading, full of Irish wit and drollery, causing at intervals a good hearty laugh ; Mr. William Irwin, of Awitu, reading, "The Bashful Man Miss E. Allonby and Mr. John Pye Bang a duet; "Won't You Buy My Pretty Flowers," by a member ; reading, "The Soldier's Pardon," Mr. J. S. Clark|; aerio-comio reading, " Orrilla's Unfortunate Young Man," by a member astronomical essay, " The Sun," by a lady member ; reading from Addison, "The Vision of Mirza," by a member; also, "Descent on the Land and People of Palestine," by a- member. Sankey's hymns were sung at intervals, Miss A. Mclnnes at the organ. Credit is due to the Church Committee for utilising the surplus money of the church, in repairing and improving th« building, fixing up ventilators (which were greatly needed), and in re-shingling, painting, and fitting-up the inside with new sßeats in a manner calculated to furnish more itting room. It was very gratifying to see the school in this place getting on bo well, and the number of the children kept up, some travelling a long distance.

Thanks are due to the school-mistress for instructing the children to protect the young trees newly planted, and also for encouraging them to form and plant flower beds here and there through the ground. Good taste is a most essential element in tuition. —[Own Correspondent, August 1.1