WAIKATO DISTRICT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7844, 13 January 1887, Page 6

WAIKATO DISTRICT NEWS.

iFBOM OtTB OWN COBBESPONDKNTS.] Hamilton, Wednesday. Mb. Edwabd Cox, with young Mr. Grey, arrived here yesterday from Christchnrch. Mr, Cox comes up as manager of the estate of his uncle, Mr. Grey, of Canterbury. The property consists of some few thousand acree of as -yet untouched land near the Hnkanni lake and etretching in the direction of Tan-! plri, between Woodlands and the river. "The reclamation of the estate, whiah contains a large proportion of very valuable land, will be proceeded with immediately. Hamilton is fast becoming the agricultural centre of the Waikato district, as not only is it the centre of the railways, but, with-the exception of those of fiangiohia, the surrounding lands are the moat suitable for general farming purposes. Ohaupo, Wednesday. The drought still continues, and threatens to be like that of last summer, which began about the same time, and did not break up until Anniversary Day; Swedes are reported to be a good crop nevertheless throughout the district. It ia the potatoes which have suffered most. In one case at sNgaxoto a settler, who is now taking up bis crop, will not average more than two tone to the acre, where he had every reason to look with ordinary weather for nearly four times as much. Oato, too, are generally light, bat wheat has not suffered. The grass ia much burned up, but there is no scarcity of it, and thanks to the abundanoe of water everywhere available stock of all kinds thrive in firstolaie condition on the hay-like grasg. Whilst most of the country, and some of the district roadsides in Waikato have been suppled with drinking-troughe, filled from adjacent springs, for the use of cattle travelling, a long stretch of road from the creek at Greenhill, elose to TeAwamutu, right on to Ohaupo, and, even as far as Tefiore, is left without any accommodation of this kind, Cattle, after being in the Ohaupo saleyards all dsy, driven away after being sold, have no chance to drink until nearly at TeAwamutu in the one direction, or at Teßore in the other. Although there are no springe upen the road, yet water might be readily provided a short distance out of Ohaupo, if the road between Hunter's and Martyn's property leading down to the lake were opened. Thie would be a matter of great convenience to settlers driving cattle to and especially from Ohaapo, and is an act doe to humanity in the case of unfortunate cattle. The matter would have been brought np at the County Council meeting yesterday, bat for the absence of Mr. Grioe. In the preaent finanoial condition of the Waipa County Council, the officials of that body have acceded to a reduction in the amount of their salaries, that of the engineer being reduced by £50, and that of the clerk by £30 per annum. Cambridge, Wednesday. Mr. Cook, secretary of the Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club, has written to the olub at Hamilton suggesting that a series of matches for both lady and gentlemen players should be got up for the 29th inst., to be played at Cambridge. In the absence of some of its best players and the general want of practice this season of its member*, the Hamilton Club is disinclined to accept the challenge. Kihikihi, Wednesday. The matter ■of disposing of the 10-aere reserve in Ly on -street to the Government, which requires it for police purposes, has been diicusied fully, and it is thought that good country land to the value of £500 should be given by the Government to the Board in exchange for it. It has been resolved to call a public meeting shortly to discuss the matter. IBY TKUtGBAPH.—OWN COBBBSPONDENT.] Cambridge, Wedneedty evening. A grand entertainment is to be given in the Publio Hall here on Tuesday next, the proceeds of which will be given to the public library.