COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7566, 19 February 1886, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAIROA SOUTH. 5 , The monthly meeting of the Band of Hope took place in the Public Hall on Friday, the . 12th instant. There was a very fair attendance. Mr. James Bell, J.P., the . VicePresident, occupied the chair. An excellent programme was gone through, consisting of hymns, reading portions of Scripture, recitations, readings, songs, etc., in a very satisfactory manner. The Secretary distributed a great number of temperance tracts, and delivered an exhortation upon bad habits. The Band of Hope doxology brought the meeting to a close.—[Own Correspondent, February 16.J TCAKAU. On Friday last, the 12th instant, the Good Templars of this district held their second annual picnic on the Recreation Ground. There was a large attendance of meu.bera and their friends, all of whom seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. In the evening a concert took place, at which Mr. Goldie, from Auckland, presided. The following programme was successfully gone through Address, the Chairman ; song, We're Going to Clear the Way," Brother W. Baker; recitation, "The Charge of the Highland Brigade," W. Barber, which was well given address, Rev. Mr. Smith; song, "Jessie's Dream," Misß Seaborne; recitation, Miss Carlow; addrees, Mr. Jones; song, W. Barber; song, "My Bud in Heaven," Miss Seaborne, which was well sung; recitation, The Auction," Miss Carlow, which was nicely rendered ; song, " Tuakau For Me," Mr. Baker, which wis loudly encored. Thanks are due to friends from Auckland, who kindly assisted, and also to the committee for the able manner in which the proceedings were conducted. [Own Correspondent, February 15,J

MATAKANA. With no desire to intrude upon private grief, the following remarks are only a small tribute to the memory of a young man cut off at the beginning of a career of usefulness : —Seldom has the passing away of a resident within the district created so great a shock and regret as the death of the late Mr. Jacob Williams, third Hon of Mr. John Williams, on the Bth instant, at the early age of 24 ears. The passing away of the old is looked for and accepted as the consequence of age; but the cutting down of the young at the threshold of manhood and aspirations, without warning, is the saddest of human lot. 'The deceased young man had been unwell—but not confined to bed—it was supposed with gastric fever, and no - serious consequences were anticipated ; but he had only lain down when a change was noticed, and he. passed away without a word. The deceased young man showed considerable ability and individuality, which gave promise of a career of merit and usefulness. The attendance at the funeral was large, and the cortege presented an impressive appearance. The Rev. Mr. Barley conducted the funeral service in an impressive manner, many being visibly affeoted,—[Own Correspondent, Feb. 16.] MULLET POINT. The second anniversary of the Mullet Point Band of Hope was held on the 10th inst. in Mr. Algie's paddock. The day being fine, a very large gathering took place, close on 200 being present. Various games were kept up throughout the day with animation, and all aeemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. At five o clock the call was given for tea. The committee had tables erected, and all •/at down oomfortably to a splendid repaßt, provided by the following ladies:—Mesdames Tozer, Easper, Goldaworthy, Martin, Snell, Davies, Dawson, and Algie. After tea, games were again indulged in until seven o'clock, when the party broke up, and proceeded to the Mullet Point Schoolhouse. At half-past seven the sohool was crowded, a number having to remain outside. At the request of the President, the Rev. Mr. Barley occupied the chair. The harmonium, kindly lent by Mr. Tozer, was presided over by Mr. Vial. The meeting was opened by the choir singing an anthem, " Cry Out and Shout," followed with prayer by Mr. Barley. The Chairman, in his opening remarks, briefly congratulated the Mullet Point Band of Hope on their success. They had now on their roll 76 members. Anthem, by the choir, "Fosannah"; solo, Mr. Barley; recitation, J. Tozer; dialogue, by the two Misses Tozer; solo, Miss Chamberlain ; a short address by Mr. Barley; solo, Miss Young; solo, Miss fisher; solo, Mr. Vowles; anthem, choir, " Poland." This broughfr\the entertainment to a close. A collection was taken to aid in purchasing a harmonium for the use of the Band of dope monthly meetings. The usual votes of thanks were given, and the meeting was brought to a close with the benediction, by Mr. Barley.[A Correspondent, Feb. 16.1

PAPAROA. The committee of the North Kaipara Agricultural Sooiety are steadily working their way onwards towards what bids fair to be a successful show. Attractive posters, announcing the show on March 17, may be seen in every settlement within fifty miles. On the 6th instant a meeting of the committee was held, Mr. Tibbits in the chair, when several matters of importance were decided. The Secretary, Mr. Skelton, was authorised to call for tenders for the refreshment booth. Connected with this are two regulations : one is that a bill of fare is to be drawn up for the guidance of tenderers ; the other, that the sale of spirits is prohibited. It was decided to write to the Whangarei and Mahurangi Societies, asking them to favour this society by each naming two gentlemen who would act as judges. Messrs. Dibble, of Wellsford, and Elliott, of Kamo, have also been invited to act in that capacity. The committee hope to be able to distribute from £80 to £100 in prizes. They intend to make liberal provision for extra prizes, should the judges deem any special exhibits to be worthy of merit. Our local auctioneer, Mr. McMurdo, will hold an auction sale at four o'clock, immediately after the show, for the convenience of owners wishing to dispose of their exhibits. The commission charged, viz., 5 per cent., will be handed over to the funds of the society. . Arrangements have been made to accommodate as many strangers as possible, both publicly and privately. It is expected that there will be a large number of visitors from/the surrounding districts. It is also desired to arrange with the Northern River Steam Navigation Company to run a special boat from Helensville. To correct a misapprehension on the part of some who have not attentively read the bills, I may observe that the member's oard admits lady and gentleman to the show free of entrance charge, and members also exhibit without paying any extra fee.— Correspondent.] >

WAIPU. On Monday, the Btit instant, Mr. and Mrs. H. Chaeaeman, from Kamo, passed through here in their carriage en route for Auckland. Leaving their homes at Kamo in the mom* ing, they passed through Here between three and four p.m. They were to put up at Maungaturoto the same night, performing the first day's journey of 50 miles. It is a common occurrence now to aoe vehicles passing and re-passing between different settlements, though this is the second time the feat has been accomplished of driving a coach through between Whangarei and Auckland. I state this as an illustration of the progress that is being accomplished in the North in the way of making good roads. There is a good deal yet to be done, and X must remind the councillors of this riding that they are very sparing with the money that was voted for the Main Trunk Line in allocating it to the most needy parts, and where the traffic is heavy. The Gorge Road, of four and a-half miles, and at present the most public road to the North, has been allotted the sum of £21 to put it in repair. This is a mere bagatelle as compared with what that road would require to make it Al. Mr. J. Mc* Leod is the contractor for the repairs. Tho Waipu Gorge has earned for itself a local celebrity to the lovers of romantio scenery, for a drive through the Gorge is considered a treat. •. r ' - v The approaches to the Gorge Road Bridge are in a dangerous etace, and oar county engineer should see to! the appropriation of the publio money, and not to trust to a sub-, ordinate.[Own Correspondent, Feb. 13.] .

ARATAPU. V The weather is still too fine for our good. Logs have become so scarce that it has been resolved to stop one of the mills, • and consequently ' half ' the employees will be temporarily, at least, thrown out of employ, ment. Last summer the mills worked only three-quarter time for a considerable period. It is to be hoped that » fresh will soon bring

OS plenty of material to work upon, and that a steady demand for timber may came au early start to be made with all the machinery, at our command. »>; , , Our boardinghouae Has changed hands, Mr. W. Meadly, the late proprietor, left on Saturday for Tainui to carry on the boardinghouse and bakery at that place. Mr. Meadly leaves many friends behind him who will be pleased to hear of his success in his new abode. Mr. Geo. Lowrie, late of D&rgaville,* is the new proprietor, and from •- what ' I. know of that gentleman, I can promise travellers good, clean accommodation, excellent victuals, and civility, unaccompanied with the annoyance of. proximity to drunken or half-drunken revellers. Cricket on the Northern Wairoa has been • very quiet this year. Only one inter-club match has yet taken place, namely that between Mangawhare and Kopuru, in which the latter were easily victorious. The exodus of our population at Christmas time always spoils the cricketing season, for ! during other parts of the summer, Saturdays are often occupied by sports, horse-racing, or lawn tennis matches, and cricket matches are ' few and far between. Your Kopuru correspondent was not quite correct in stating the temperance policy , put forward for the approaching elections, • He mentioas the closing of the house ,as the - penalty for a second offence of Sunday trading, whereas the closing of houses is ty>fc yet considered politic, and the committee have made no mention of such being done, nor do I think, in the present state of our accommodation, would suoh a policy meet with the approval of a majority of our teetotallers. —(.Own Correspondent, Feb. 16.]

KAWAKAWA. The long-wished-for rain has visited us .at last, and at first, being confined to one locality—the ranges around the settlement cauted a heavy freshet in the surrounding ravines that flooded the town, doing serious injury to the roads. This was most ■ seen where the streamlet runs down the gully leading from the Whangarei district;,- which became a perfect torrent, carrying all before it; and the bridge on the main coach road, • about half a mile from Kawakawa, though some eight to ten feet above the little stream, was over four feet under water, and the force of the - flood, with all the debris of landslips, &c., at last swept the bridge away. Two pr three landslips also occurred on the main road under the ranges leading to the town, so that the mail coach- that returned on the Thursday was blocked, up, and the mails and passengers had to be conveyed into town on horseback. 'A serious fall also happened at the mines, close to some dwellinghouses, but, most fortunately, they escaped, though a chasm of some forty feet is opened over the former workings of the mine. Still there was much injury done to the mines, and the pumping machinery was put out of order. These works' are kept going night and day with a steam engine of 100 horse-power to rectify , the injury. As one of the pumps were stopped a gang of miners were employed to raise a shaft with lever and windlass. Unfortunately, the gear. gave way, and the force of the pressure was so great that the ten men who manned the windlass were sent flying in all directions, and, though no life was lost or limbs injured, yet they were all more or less seriously injured and badly bruised. It is to be hoped that the mine will soon be in successful work . again,— [Own Correspondent.]

WHANGAROA. The annual election of a Licensing Commit* tee takes place in a few days. The nominations are in. Both parties are prepared for a struggle, and the excitement usually attendant on this election. , : Much regret was felt here when the newscame to hand of the loss of the Fanny Kelly, and the drowning of Mrs. Turnball and children. The Fanny Kelly was an old trader to this port, and Captain Williams was much respected. He had made many friends by his genial good nature, who now heartily sympathise with him in his mis; fortune.—[Own Correspondent, February 10.. HOKIANGA, The schooner Queen and the steamer Hannal Mokau both arrived here last week witl cargo. The steamer brought a number 01 passengers, amongst whom was Mr. John Lundon, a dissolution of Parliament being imminent. Mr. John Lundon will no doubt offer his time and fortune at the disposal of the Bay of Islands electors in due time. The County Council intend soon to begin some useful and useless works which will give employment to some of the unemployed. This body generally begin their road work late in the autumn, when the ground is nice and soft. Business generally is at a standstill here at present. Owing to the late drought, the sawmills have been stopped; but now that the rain has come, we are in hopes that out enforced idleness is nearly at an end. We will have a very poor crop of peaches this year, owing, no doubt, to the dry weather. Ido not think there is any likelihood of anyone being able to walk ankle deep among them, as the author of "North* western New Zealand" used to do. Potatoes have suffered from the drought, but in some parts of the district the crops are very good. The bridge across the Waimamaku River, on the road between Hokianga Heads and. Dargaville, is nearly completed. The contractor deserves great credit for the efficient manner in which he has done the work. There is great need for another bridge on this road, viz., over the Waipoua River, a few miles nearer Dargaville. Lot us hope that, the powers that be will do it as soon possible.—[Own Correspondent, 'Feb, 10.]

OFOTIKI. In my letter which appeared in your issue of the 6th instant, please correct a slight error. The words "having had only the headmaster," should have been " having had only the oneheadmaster, during the whole period," &c. The former reading would imply that there had been no assistant, whereas our headmaster's efforts have been ably and efficiently seconded by two assistant teachers almost since the commencement of the school. The following matters of interest in regard to the public welfare were variously , dealt with, at the usual monthly meetings of oar local bodies for this month. County Council.—l. A resolution heartily endorsing the action of the Waikato County Council in inviting co-operation for - the purpose of having substantial amendments made in the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885, at the forthcoming session of , Parliament. 2. A resolution to apply urgently to the Minister of Public YVorks for a > diversion of £1500 from road grants to complete the inland : road from Opotiki to Whakatane. 3. To arrange for the election of a local Native Assessor for Whakatane License Court, so as to avoid the cost of bringing the one from Rotorua quarterly. 4. To allow the question of striking a general rate to stand over until next month. 5. To have the slaughter-yard inspected by a sub-committee with a view to its restoration or removal to a more suitable site. • Road Board.l. That the Chairman be requested to supervise certain repairs to the swamp road near Mr. Mill's farm. 2. That culvert be constructed .on the by-road leading from the Waioeka Road to Bisnoirteh's farm. 3. That the clerk supply an, estimate of the cost of embankments on the Tableland Road with a view of their construction. 4. That the clerk apply to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the amount due to . the , Board . accruing from certain deferred payment sections. 5. That an application be made to the County Council for a grant to aid in the construction of by-roads. •: M Town Board.—l. That all unpaid rates due for the year ending March 31, 1886, be sued for after 14 days notice. 2. That - a special meeting be held to expedite the leasing of the reserves recently vested in thfli Board. 3. That a sub-committee be appointed to frame a Bet of by-laws for the; control of the town,' and submit the same for consideration at the next monthly meeting. 4. That the wharfinger, Mr. Litchfield, be requested to caution masters of - vessels against / overloading the wharves with cargo while discharging. Since the severe earthquake shooks, whioh I wired to you about on Sunday; the 7th ~ instant, there have been a number of slight shocks, but nothing alarming.(Own Correspondent, February 15.] . .