WAIKATO DISTRICT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7862, 3 February 1887, Page 6

WAIKATO DISTRICT NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Wednesday Yesterday Captain Steele, on behalf of the syndicate formed to work the Public Abattoirs, inspected the various sites available for the purpose on the cast aide of the river, and found some four or tire, but as the railway insists on the aiding being on the north side of tho line, none of them are borough property. This, however, will be no great difficulty, as two or three acres at most are required. Cambridge, Wednesday. Mr. William C. Breakell, the wall-known engineer and surveyor, has, I am glad to say, reoovered from tho ill effects of the sunstroke he received last week. Though at the time he was fully three hours insensible, the ill results have been less protracted than is usual in such cases. Considering that for several days the glass has stood at from 80 to 90 in the shade, it is surprising that more cases of the kind have not occurred.

Tk Awamotu, Wednesday. Great interest is being taken in the forthcoming horticultural show,to be held here on St. Patrick's Day. The crop of fruit throughout the district is heavy, and despite the dry season some very choice specimens for both size and shape will be forthcoming from our various orchards. What may be expected from these in years to come can bo gathered from a visit to the orchard of Mr. J. Farrell, in Kihikihi. In this orchard are several apple trees which were in bearing when the settlement was formed, and will probably be not far from thirty years of age. These trees, one of which with its drooping branches bowed down with a mass of fruit covers a space 90 feet in circumference, are literally bowed down with the weight of fruit, and such a one as described must carry as valuable a crop as an acre of wheat would produce. Some of the trees in this garden are much blighted, the boughs being deformed and gnarled with the disease, but It does not seem to affect their bearing qualities, tho fruit spurs bursting out in even the most diseased parts of the tree.

The harvest is in full awing throughout the entire district. Oats are somewhat light, but a fair crop. Wheat, of which there is a good breadth sown, but not near so large as shonld have been, is above the average. The turnips look well, but potatoes, except in a few exceptional cases, are a poor crop. Too little attention in paid in many instances to the thorough working of the land in district such as a large part of the Upper Waikato and elsewhere, where the land is heavy. The difference between good and bad tillage was never better illustrated than on a field of wheat, the owner shall be nameless, over which I was shown last week. The whole field had been manured alike, onehalf sown the previous year in oat* for green feed, the other planted with potatoes, and the whole sown this year with wheat. The potato land had of course In the cultivation of that croo ben well-worked. It was finally ploughed and sown with wheat; the land on which the oats had been grown was ploughed once only, and sowed at the same time. In the former case the wheat crop ran over thirty bushels to the acre, in the latter not fifteen.

[BY TELEOKA?H.~OWN correspondents,] Cambridge, Wednesday evening.

The Bieliop of Auckland will hold a confirmation service in St. Andrew's Church on Sunday morning. He will preach at that service, and also in the evening. In the afternoon he will deliver an address at Cambridge West. A conversazione will be held in St, Andrew's School on Friday evening, at which His Lordship will be present. It is intended to hold the harvest festival in connection with the above church on Friday, March 4, and a garden party and fete on the following Monday, to endeavour to reduce the debt on the building. Major Wilson has kindly placed his grounds at the disposal of the committee. Archdeacon Willis is endeavouring to get special-trip fares from Auckland to Cambridge at that time.

There have been several showers to-day. The temperature is still hiyh, and the atmosphere very close.

Hamilton, Wednesday evouing. A meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board was held to-day, to receive applications for secretaryship and report of committee ap pointed to select a hospital site and temporary hospital accommodation. Present: Ihe Chairman (Mr. Graham), and Messrs. Gwynneth (Cambridge), Williams and Chepmail (Pinko), Seddon and Primrose (Waikato (Teaedale), Waipa, The Chairman read a telegram from Mr. Hay, in Auckland, stating that the amount fixed, as required, cannot be reduced, but that contributions must be levied as passed at the meeting. A letter from the chairman to the Premier was read, stating that the Board was without funds and without a hospital, which would cost at least £1000 to establish, and asking for assistance from the Government for that purpose. The committee appointed to select a hospital site was allowed to defer their report until next meeting. Eleven applications were received for the office of secretary, treasurer, and relieving officer. Mr. Germann proposed that the matter should be reconsidered, and tenders for the duties be called for, leaving applicants to ask their own salary. Mr. Teaadale agreed with Mr. Germanu'a proposal. Mr. Germann moved "That the resolution calling for a secretary at £150 a year be rescinded." Seconded by Mr. Teasdale. The Chairman said unless a secretary were at appointed he must resign his position, and ask them to appoint another ohairmau. It was utterly impossible to carry on the work without the assistance of first-class clerical aid. The plan proposed was a penny wise and pound foolish one. A secretary's whole time would be required. The resolution was carried. Mr. W. A. Graham said he must ask the Board to appoint another chairman. He would wish Mr. Primrose should be appointed. Mr. Primrose positively refused to accept the office. Mr. Graham said as Mayor of Hamilton he could not sit there and hear Hamilton, which had done so much in this matter, slightingly alluded to. Mr. Germann then moved "That tenders to perform the duties of secretary and treasurer bo advertised for.'' Mr. Gwynneth moved and Mr. Williams seconded, "That JMr. Morrin be applied to, to know whether be had any lands suitable for a hospital site near Morrinsvillo railway station, and on what terms he would offer a piece of five or tun acres suitable for the purpose." Mr. Germann said that until it was shown that Hamilton was not the proper place for the hospital, which it had been resolved it was, on Mr. Gynneth's own motion, on the 12th ultimo, the present motion was inopportune. Other members ridiculed the motion as inconsistent. Only Messrs Gwynneth and Williams vo'.ed for the resolution, which was accordingly lost. Mr. Graham assured the Board that they had paralysed his clforts as Chairman. Mr. Primrose asked what was going to he done in the matter of appointing a doctor or a temporary hospital. They were sacrificing the district for the sake of a miserable cheese-paring economy. The end would be they would be relegated back to the Auckland district. No further business was done, and the meeting separated.