COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8929, 19 December 1887, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(from our own correspondents.] Hamilton, Saturday. Preparations for both hay and corn harvest are being made throughout the district, and owners of reaping and grass-cutting machines will soon have enough on their hands. The manager of the Lockerbie estate at Morrins- ' villa is calling for tenders for cutting a thousand aorea of grain, and for another farm tenders are wanted for cutting and making two hundred acres of hay. A large quantity of grass, however, will this year in Waikato not be made into hay at all, but cut green, and pat into the silo as cat. Mr. Forrest, of Hautapu, has had a ailo excavated some fifty feet by twenty, and about ten feet deep, into whioh, by graduated approaches, the dray can be driven at the one end, leave ita load in the silo, and be driven out at the other end. The ailo not only gives a far larger quantity of food in winter, but does away with the expense oi haymaking and the risk of hay spoiling in an unfavourable haymaking season. Ensilage, too, is suitable for keeping up a flow of milk in winter, which hay will not do. Independently of the diatriot races at Claudelands and the carnivals and athletic sports held in the oountry districts round Hamilton, Waikato will be quite en ffite in a few days. Fancy bazaar* will be held in Hamilton and Ngaruawahaia, the latter on Thursday next in aid of the manse fund. A concert at the Hamilton West sohool will be given by the pupils the same evening. On the Friday evening the promenade concert in Mrs. Wynne's garden will be held in aid of the band fund, and at Tuikaramea on the 28th a oricket match, a ladies' eleven against a gentlemen's eleveD, will be played* in Mr. Kear's paddock in aid of the Waikato Hos* spital fund Mrs. Gwynne and Mrs. Carr, of Auckland, are both progressing favourably from the effects of Thursday's buggy acoident. Both Udies, however, are still confined to their beds.

Tamahkbe, Saturday. The Tamahere Road Board monthly meeting fell through for want of a quorum, Mr. Wheeller being the only trustee who put in an appearance. What might have resulted in a very serious accident to Mr. J. J. Smith as he was riding in to Hamilton to attend the sitting of the Waikato County Oounoil, happened yesterday close to the Waikato Dairy Factory's premises. Despite recent complaints by the local authorities, sufficient care is not taken to keep the swine belonging to the factory within bounds, and the road is again being destroyed by scores of pigs whioh come out from the factory's premises and root up the green turf on either side. Yesterday, Mr. Smith, who was riding a young and spirited horse, came suddenly on a deep hole in the side of the road, out of whioh an enormous pig suddenly sprang. The horse at once became almost unmanagable, and a less skilful or experienced rider would have been thrown with danger to life or limbs. It is time that the local board took more active steps than mere expostulation to cause this dangerous nuisance to be abated. The stench, too, arising from the piggeries is beginning to be as bad as in former seasons, now that the hot weather *is netting in.

Oxford, Saturday. Mr. O'Sullivan, Inspector of Sohool*, was here this week, when the necessity of establishing a public school in this place was pointed out to him. Oxford is the centre of a growing farm district, and every year the lands are likely to be further subdivided and the number of resident families increased. As it is, there are now about SO children of the school age residing within reach of a sohool in the township, which as the junction of the four principal roads in this part of the country, will rapidly become an important centre. Ngaruawahia, Saturday. The Ngaruawahia Juve&ile Amateurs gave a performance on Wednesday evening in the Town Hall, whioh was greatly appreciated by the audience. The entertainment, consisting of readings, recitations, and singing, was concluded with aoted charades. A sum of £3 was taken at the doors, which is to go towards defraying the cost of a children's picnic, to be held during Christmas week. "Wait Till the Clouds Roll By," by Masters Bean Simmelhag and Willie Young, was encored a second time. Miss J. Young was also most deservedly encored in her song, " Little Sister's Gone to Sleep." Cambridge, Saturday. The Cambridge Road Board met thii afternoon, Mr. James Taylor in the chair. The whole of the members were present. Mr. Charles W. Arnold wrote, calling the attention of the Board to a drain that empties itself on to his land, and asking them to carry it on to the river. It was resolved not to do so, as the drain referred to had been there for sixteen years, and was the natural flow of the water, T. Wattam's tender for repairing No. 3 cross road was accepted, the prices being: forming 3s 6d per chain; gravelling B£d per yard. It was resolved to spend £5 on cleaning the public drain at Hautapu, Mr. Forrest to have the work in charge. This was all the business of importance.

The Taotaoroa Road Board also met, and passed a few accounts, there not being any other business.

The settlers are now very busy haymaking, and will have some good crops. The weather for the last two days has been favourable for the harvest.

TE KOPURU. A concert in aid of the Wairoa Brass Band was given in the Kopuru Hall on Friday, December 9. Notwithstanding the numerous entertainments that have taken place on the river lately, this was an unqualified success, the public being determined to show their appreciation of the unsparing pains : taken to form a really good band. The hall wa crowded. The members of the band h a

erected a temporary gallery at one end of the hall, to be used for the orchestra. The band played selections of moalo on the green previous to opening. The programme was sapplied by oar local glee club, "The Knpnril Strollers," the two societies working together in the most cordial manner for the common good. The following are the items :Overture, by the band, "Fairy Revels;" song, "My Pretty Jane," W. J. Philips, renders in his best style ; glee, "The Toast Toast; song, "The Death of Nelson" (with cornet and pianoforte accompaniment), F. J. Moreth. This was splendidly given. Song, " Why Bouse the British Lion ?" E. J. Hardy, given with fine effect; gles, Chafers song, "True to the Last/' F. W. Philips. This gentleman promises to be one of oar foremost singers. Duet, cornet and piano, " The Last Rose of Summer" (with variations), by Mr. Philips and Father Kehoe; song, " Father O'Flynn," Father Kehoe," greeted with storms of applause; polka, by the band, "You Can't Resist," followed by musical unities, "Cheer, Boys, Cheer," "Rule Britannia," and "God Save the Queen." Then followed a musical oomio opera by " The Strollers," This has been previously given in different parts of the distriot three times, and with unvarying success, and was repeated at Kopum (by speoial request), and again enthusiastically received. The principal characters were sustained by Me-sra. F. J. Moreth. W. J. Philips, F. W. Philips, J. Molloy, T. Harvey, with chorus o ladies and gentlemen. The conductor, o course, was Father Kehoe, who also acoom panied on the pianoforte, assisted by Messrs, Philpot on the cornet and Sjerstian on the piccolo. Many who are well acquainted with Auckland declare that with the ezoeption of the professional displays at the Opera House and elsewhere, it is doubtful if there iB anything to equal the entertainments of this and other sorts given at Te Kopurn. The Rev. Father Kehoe, who is certainly no mean' judge, declares that there is talent at Te Kopuru equal to any to be found in Auckland, and the rev. gentleman is training them in the way they should go, with marked sue--cess. At the close of the concert Mr. F. W. Matthews, on behalf of the band, returned sincere thanks to all for their assistance and patronage. The instruments of the band, he stated, had cost £126. The band now numbers fourteen playing members and eight learners. Under their new conductor, Mr. Philpot, the progress made is astonishing. A dance took plaoe at the oloße of the conoert. On Saturday one of those pleasant episodes that tend to keep labour and capital in good relations took place at Kopurn in the shape of a pionio given by Mr. Matthews, the manager, to the employees of the company; At an early hour the strains of the band roused the people from their slumbers after the previous night's exertions, and soon they were winding their way to the wharf, where the s.s. Kopuru lay ready to receive them. Her decks were speedily crowded by males and females, bent on enjoying themselves. The course was up the river, the band playing opposite the settlements. Not being in the employ of the company, your sorrespondent was not one of the favoured ones on board, but had to gather the report of the after proceedings from hearsay. On arrival at Mr. J. Denmn's farm, the company disembarked. A large tent was erected, and in addition Mr. Dennin, with great liberality, placed his house and all it contained at the disposal of the company. Mr. and Mrs, Matthews were indefatigable in their exertions. The steamer returned at a late hour, all having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Rousing cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs, Matthews and Mr. J. Dennis. Of all the managers who have been at Koparn sicca it first started into existence, none has been so thoroughly popular, or identified himself so strongly with the men, after a residence ot several years, as the present manager.— [Own Correspondent.]

ARARIMU SOUTH. We are having nioe growing weather now ; everything looks green. All toe crops look well, and there is abundance of grass. Mr. Cummins was the successful tenderer for the Road Board contracts, the tender being 2s lid a yard for quarrying and breaking the metal, and £7 for the work at Quarry Reserve Hill.

The hall trustees have called tenders for painting the hall, and tenders are to be in by the 17 th inst. A ball wab held in the hall on Friday, the 2nd inst.,'but was not so well attended as usual, partly on account of it .not being sufficiently advertised, and partly, as a young feilow expressed it, " beoause there is not much money knocking about."—[Own Cor respondent. J

WAITAEA. The shipping return* for the month of November are as follow 13 vessels entered inwards, equal to 4193 tons, and the same number outwards. Imports ware 280 tons merchandise, 170 head cattle; exports, 70 tons merchandise, 23,300 feet timber, 508 cattle, 2670 sheep, and 7 horses. The Town Board have just undertaken a very necessary and useful work, namely the forming of a road round Manakourihi Oliffg into the Recreation Qround, and the contractors are making good progress with the work. This is a road that should have been undertaken long since; bat I have no doubt the look of the Cliff, together with a want of funds, disheartened the Board from undertaking it. However, it is now fairly under way, and the townspeople are jubilant at the prospect of being able to get; to the recreation grounds, and I hear that a movement is on foot to get funds So plant the ground with suitable trees and shrubs. The Reserve is a fine stretch of level, wellgrassed land, bounded on two sides by the Manakourihi Cliff, and on the other sides by the Waitara River, and access to it will be gained by the new road, or by boating up the river, when the tide suits ; and, if properly laid oat, the grounds would make a magnificent racecourse, cricket, football, achlethio sports, as well as recreation grounds, 1 have no doubt the townspeople will liberally subscribe towards this end, as at present we have no suitable place tor any of those sports, and the Recreation Grounds are not five minutes' walk from the oentre of the town, and a better place for snob a purpose could hardly be ohosen. The Maoris have their programme for the Aboriginal Raoe Meeting out, and as the prizes are very fair, there is little doubt that good fields for the various events will result. The natives have done a lot of work on the oourse at Whihi since their meeting laßt season. The whole of the course has been ploughed up and well grassed. This will do away with the roughness complained of last races. With fine weather I hope to see a big master at Whihi on Mew Year's Day, both of Europeans and Maoris.(Own Correspond dent.]

WHANGAREI. The election petition against the return of Messrs. P. S. Brown, Thomas Hunter, ana J. J. Wilson was beard on Thursday last by the Resident Magistrate (Mr. Jas. S. Cleudon) and Mr. Joseph Bell, J. P. It was brought by Mr. Geo. Kerr and others, and was baaed on the ground that some irregularity had occurred in the last County Council when forming new ridings. Mr. Kerr was formerly a member of the County Council for the Mangapai Hiding some years since. The gentlemen on the bench considered they had no jurisdiction in the matter, and the petitions were dismissed ' with costs. Mr. Killen appeared for the petitioners, and Mr. W. A. Carruth for the Counoil and sitting mem* hers.

Considerable interest is takun in the com* ing racei at Whacgarei, Hikurmeji, and Manaia. There is also a regatta in the harbour on the '21st December, at which there are no fewer, than eleven events to come off. There is no lack of amusements thi» season.

A meeting of committee of the County Council held' on Wednesday last to opea tenders' for contracts in Hikuransi and Manna Ridings, was held in the Connoil Chambers. Messrs Weaver were the successful tenderers for the Swamp Road, and Mr Joseph Edge for that on Maunu. The public school picnic is to be held on the 2'2ud instant in the old racecourse pad* dock. The day previous is breaking-up day, to enable the teachers to reach their home* in the Waikato and Auckland before Christmas.

The Town Board of Whangarei are having a portion of Cameron-street kerbed ana channelled with dressed stone, for which Mr John Fraser's tender was accepted at the rate of £8 16a per chain. Permit a correction of a misprint in the • last Weekly isjsws in Whangarei "oeca» sional column. '* ,It is stated that £360,000 has been spent on tracks in the North-. Auckland settlements. It should be that the amount stated was spent on naval defence, while these settlements languished for even a wheelbarrow track in many ewes.-* [Occasional Correspondent.]