COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8986, 25 February 1888, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.]

Hamilton, Friday. Mr, Lawrence Cussen, district surveyor, has now completed his survey of the Hamilton lake. The boundary now pegged out will be taken as the existing area of the lake, and as all shrinkage occurs, the land reclaimed will be the property of the borough. Originally it was intended to leave a chain in width round the edge of the lake as a public reserve road, but this has been encroached upon, and, in one case, taken in the old days to make up the deficiency of land contained in the militia grant. The borough has now, therefore, a frontage worth speaking of, only when the public park abuts upon the lake. As, however, the lake has been gazetted as vested in the borough, it will not be long, as drainage works proceed, before the public will have a carriage drive round the shores of the lake. One of two tournaments engaged in by the Hamilton Lawn Tennis Club was concluded yesterday, when Messrs. McLernon and W. Von Sturmer played off for the finish, the latter winning by 15 games to 12, the scores being : Yon Sturmer, 6—3, 36, and 6 —3; McLernon, —6, 63, and 36. The prize is a silver trophy. The club is at present engaged in a tournament for a racket. Sir William Fox is to be invited to visit Hamilton and address the public on the Temperance question, with the view of founding a large and powerful Good Templar Lodge, which will take an active part in carrying the prohibition vote in April, The movement is being organised by Mr. John Knox.

Mr. Thomas Runciman, who has hold the position of manager of the Waikato Dairy Company, and its predecessor the Waikato Cheese and Bacon Factory Company from their very commencement, is severing his connection with the former company, to the great regret of the shareholders. *V Ohaupo, Friday. Now that the crops are pretty well all in (and despite the statement of your Te Awamutu correspondent that this district takes the palm as the heaviest wheat average, I may remark in passing that Pukeknra beats his average of 32 lay an average of 35 bushels), the general topic of discussion is what price shall we get for our wheat. Mr. John Lamb has been industriously stumping the district educating the farmers down to a low figure, stating that he can purchase at 2s 9d in Port Lyttelton, which means a similar price for Waikato wheat in Auckland, as freight between Lyttelton and Auckland is actually less than railway freight between Waikato and Auckland, and as the Waikato crop is far and away above local requirements, farmers will have to look for an outside market for a large portion at least. Millers, however, at this season invariably endeavour to "bear" the market, and make their harvest out of the farmers, who must sell at once. A large proportion of the settlers are, however, preparing to hold on, and not flood the market with grain at the very outset. _ Their stacks aro well thatched : in one district a large granary is being built, and if only the banks and others will not unduly press their claims, something like a fair price may be maintained by enabling the orop gradually to be put upon the market. A difference of 6d per bushel means a very great deal to the farmer, and looking at the relative prices of flour and wheat, as quoted week after week in Auckland, and comparing them with those of Sydney, Melbourne, and even Wellington, the Auckland farmer may look for more for his wheat than the price millers predict No doubt, however, flour will 50 down. Strange to say, it always does at this particular season. Alexandra, Friday. ' Fifty natives of the Ngatihutua tribe were to leave Kawhia for VVhatihoehoe yesterday, and are expected here to-day, on a visit to the King. Their object is to discuss the question of Mr. Mitclielson's proposed visit re the alienation of land along the proposed Main Trunk Railway lino, and. it is understood they are not favourable to it. Wluitihoehoe is now about played out as a settlement. The land was never first-class, and the King and his people are about to clear out and settle iu the Lower Waikato,

[BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Cambridge, Friday evening. At the R.M. Court this morning a man named Hugh Coll was charged by the Police with cruelty to a horse, by overriding it on the 15th instant. Constable Brennan said accused had ridden the animal from Kihikihi to Cambridge at a furious rate, and then to Tamahere anaoack, after which the animal lay down and was not able to get up again for several days. It was also covered with sores. Accused pleaded guilty, but said the horse had broken its bridle and _ eaten a quantity of wheat, after which it drank water, which caused it to founder. The R.M. said it was a serious case, and fined accused £10 and 28s costs, or one month's imprisonments with hard labour. Accused had not tbfb money, and was removed in custody. The Junior Teams' Handicap was finished to-day, Macdonald beating his two opponents, Hartly and Richardson, very easily. Mr. John t)ods, the librarian, has resigned. He left for Auckland a few days ago on account of his health, and finding the change beneficial he has decided to live there. If the appointment of his successor rests with the committee, Mr. Westby will doubtless get it; but in these times of retrenchment no one knows what may happen, and perhaps it may be let by tender. Hamilton, Friday. The information will be received with general regret in this part of Waikato that Mr. Fredk- Thomas diea last night of lockjaw, supervening on the severe injuries received from being run over by his team of three horses and double furrow plough some ten days ago. The funeral takes place from the hospital at half-past one o'clock on Sunday. At the Waikato County Council to-day, Messrs. Smith, Forrest, Johnson. Seddon, Barugh. and Primrose (chairman) being present, Mr. Smith asked, on behalf of Mr. Ewen, for a copy of the letter sent by the clerk to Mr. Lewis re the taking of land for road purposes on Mr. Ewen's property. The application was declined. With respect to the state of the road past Hall's and Dilworth'g property, represented by Mr. Louis Hadden, the chairman stated that a good road had been provided by the Kirikiriroa Road Board that rendered it unnecessary to form the road past Hall's. A request was received from the Raglan Council, asking the Waikato Council to assist in getting special powers to enter upon private lands at the owners' expense to eradicate briars and furze. The Council declined to assist. The clerk stated that the bank credit account had never been so low, standing at £7 14s 7d. The riding accounts stood as follow : — In credit: Rangiriri, £73 19s 2d; Cambridge, £132 14s 8d ; separate account, £38 12s Bd. Debit account: Kirikiriroa, £71 9s 3d; Tamahere, £53 Is 6d ; Cambridge Borough, £78 18s sd. A hospital rate would have to be struck on the county property of one-fifth of a penny in"' the £. which would raise a sum of £554 3s 3d for Hospital and Charitable Aid purposes. The Chairman moved that the motion of the previous meeting but one, with respect to advertising, be rescinded. He pointed out that only two votes had been recorded by those present, whereas according to the Act it should have been carried by a majority of those present. The motion was carried, Messrs. Barugh, Seddon, Smith, and the chairman voting for, and Messrs. Forrest and Johnson against it. The following tenders were then dealt with : Clearing briars and furze on the river bank at Churchill: Hughes and Willoughby, £23 15s; W. Patterson, £12. Neither was accepted, being too high. Forming and gravelling road at Huntly: James Coombes (accepted), forming, 3s 3d; claying, 10^d; gravelling, 10£ a. Draining near Mears, Wairangi: W. Stanley (accepted), fascines, £1 10s per 100; clay, /d per yard; culvert, £2. Swamp drains at Wairangi : G. Hill (accepted), £13 lfti. Te Argha, Friday. The consecration of the Masonic Hall, just erected by Lodge Te Aroha, 697 S.C., took place yesterday evening. There was a strong muster of members of the lodge, and a number of visiting brethren were also present. The P.G. Lodge was represented by R.W.P.G.S.M. Brother M. Niccol, and P.G. Sec. Brother J. Slator. The consecration ceremonies were conducted by Brother Niccol in his usual able and impressive style, and the whole proceedings passed off most satisfactorily.

WAIPU. Mr. N. J. Campbell held a clearing-out sale of drapery at his store on the '2nd inst., when prices ruled in favour of the vendor, considering the scarcity of m«ney, All the lines offered brought satisfactory prices. Mr. Campbell is effecting large improvements and additions to his premises, in preparation of recommencing business again on a larger scale. The central position ot Mr. Campbell's store, his courtesy to his customers, coupled with his assiduous application to business, made him a favourite with the public. Mr. Cook, temperance advocate from Auckland, lectured in the church here on the evening of the Bth inst. to a large audience, the Rev. Mr. Jones in the chair. The lecturer received a patient hearing, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him by accla-mation-[Own Correspondent.]