COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9009, 23 March 1888, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from our own correspondents.] Hamilton, Thursday. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, the case Hay v. Barlow, action for costs, re-hearing adjourned from last court day, was continued, but judgment was reserved till next court day. Cambridge, Thursday. How difficult it is to tell what a colt may turnout was exemplified at the Cambridge Races on Saturday last. Mr. Allwill was the possessor of Earnest when a yearling, and sold him for a trifle, because ho did not consider him " worth his feed." Earnest became the property of Mr. Booth, of Hamilton, and on Saturday last, at the first race meeting held on Mr. AilwiU's property, carried off the two principal events, the " Cup " and " Redwood Stakes," from the pick of Mr. Allwill's own stud and other cracksof the district.

It is certain that some alteration in the Slaughtering Act will have to be made during the coming session, but Mr. Wliyte very wisely abstained last session from carrying out the wish of tho Waikato Countv Council to make the Act applicable to all farmers and others killing cattle for sale. To have allowed the Council to charge a fiveguinea license fee on all alike would have been to have killed the dead meat market, which, bringing the producers face to face in our local towns, has resulted in benefit to the individual farmer and the public at large. A far fairer alteration would be to allow the Council to revert to its old system of charging so much for each beast slaughtered, a merely nominal sum collected, not so much for the sake of revenue as to assist in the keeping a record of all cattle killed, with their brands, etc. Noaruawahia, Thursday. Acceptances and general entries for our Easter Monday races close on 27th instant. These races promise to be the best country sports held this season in Waikato. Messrs. Salmon Brothers are. the successful competitors for forming the old WhatawhataHamilton Road, and also Shepherd's Road, tho former at 2s lid per chain formation, anil the latter at 3s per chain, the earthwork at s?id and 6d per cubic foot respectively. The Knorpps Road contract for formation has been let to Messrs. Abbott and Graham at 3s lid per chain ; and > clearing tea-tree from Simmer's gate to Rice's farm has been let to Mr. W. Henderson, at lOd per chain.

[BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Thursday. The annual Congregational meeting and soiree of the Presbyterian congregation was held last night in the church, the Rev. Mr. Evans occupying the chair. The report of the treasurer and secretary, Mr. Home, which was considered highly satisfactory, the debt on current expenditure having been largely reduced, was read and adopted. A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Murray, and seconded by Mr. Davis, was passed to the out-going committee, and on the motion of Mr. Hatrick, the following were appointed a committee for the current vear, Messrs. A. Primrose, D. Henry, J. Primrose, J. T. Home, W. M. Hay, A. Mobett, and the mover. On the motion of Mr. Hatrick, it was also resolved to hold social meetings more frequently, and Messrs. A. Primrose, Hav, Cochrane, Slade, and Miss Winifred Murray were appointed a committee, with power to add to tneir number, to arrange for such gatherings. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Home for the zealous performance of his duties as treasurer, and he was appointed as secretary, and Mr. Hatrick as treasurer. Mesdames Hay and Home, and the Misses Nealson and M. Murray were appointed collectors. Tauranga, Thursday. The fourth boat race for prizes presented by Mr. Johnson came off this afternoon, and as usual resulted in a very close finish, the first four boats passing the winning-post within two boat lengths of one another. The Katikati l>oat Alice, belonging to Turner Brothers, won the valuable silver cup, having won three out of four races. The second prize, a pair of ash oars, goes to the Vixen. The natives at Wairoa are having the old mill at Wairoa put in order under tiie supervision of an experienced manager lately from Home. It will shortly be at work, and will be utilised for milling wheat grown in the district. ARAPOHUE. Meetings arc being held in the several townships on the river to make arrangements for a better time-table for our steam communication with Helensville, and the Kaihu folks suggest that the Friday's boat shall be done away with, but such a proposition will be strenuously opposed on this side, for the main reason that we cannot do without the Weekly News to read on Sunday. An opposition steamer, with a reduction in passengers' rates, is wanted more than any of tin? present boats being taken off.[Own Correspondent.] ' f " BOMBAY.

Ox Fridav, March 16, the twenty-third anniversary of the arrival of the pioneer settlers of Bombay was commemorated in the usual way. The committee and the indefatigable secretary, Mr. T. Worden, were most assiduous in their endeavours to make things pleasant for both old and young. Mrs. Forde kindly lent her paddock for the races and games, xc. Tea was served in the hall, and ufter tea the usual concert took place, Mr. W. Piggott, sen., occupying the chair. The following catcred for the evening's entertainment : — Speech by the Chairman; songs by Miss Shaw, Messrs. Wright, Bilkey, Balme, F. W. Forde, G. Mackev, A. Flay, C. Dalbeth, and a recitation, which brought down the house, by H. Campbell. "God Save the Queen" brought the concert to a close. On Saturday, the return cricket match. Beer-drinkers v. Blue Ribbonites, was played in Mr. Proude's paddock, the cold water boys again coming off victorious by 29 runs. The Messrs. Partington are pushing on with the work at Mr. Rutherford's mill. They expect to be ready for grinding operations in about three weeks. It will be a great boon to the districts when completed.[Own Correspondent.] PUKEIvARORO. The leap-year ball given by the young ladies of Pukekaroro to their bachelor friends came off in the hall on the evening of March 9. The event was one of great brilliancy. Over 100 invitations were issued by the committee, which included the following ladies—namely: Misses E. Moonev (lion, sec.), E. Curtis, E. Litten, Mrs. Fletcher, and Mrs. Leslie. Under the combined skill of these ladies the hall was exquisitely decorated with ferns, flowers, etc., while peeping from floral arches were to be seen dexterously-contrived inscriptions, the letters being formed of assorted leaves, etc. An inviting supper was spread on a table extending the length of the rostrum, from which choice fruit and other delicacies were unsparingly partaken. Dancing commenced at nine p.m. From that time until midnight, the ladies, in virtue of privilege, exercised most cleverly their right of leadership. After supper, the gentlemen were reinstated in their wonted positions, the festivities continuing with unabated zeal until daylight. Mr. E. Mooney acted as M.C., the dance music being efficiently rendered by Miss Mooney (pianist), and Messrs. McNamara and Carrol (violinists). At the finish, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the ladies.— Correspondent.] OMAHA.

The annual treat to the school children took place last Tuesday, the l.'itli inst., and was a decided success. The children and their friends gathered together on the flat at the head of the harbour, and during the afternoon several well-contested foot races were run,' and all kinds of athletic games were indulged in, greatly to the delight of the youngsters. At five o'clock they proceeded to the hall, where an excellent tea was provided. After tea tije children sung several pieces very well indeed, and recitations were well rendered. Dancing was then commenced, and continued till midnight. Mr. Fidler has paid a visit to this district, and inspected the school, and examined the children in standards, when about ninety per cent, passed, which is considered very good. The Rev. R. McKinney held divine service in the hall on Sunday morning. He preached an excellent sermon, and there was a large and attentive congregation. Six candidates were nominated for the licensing committee. The Returning Officer disqualified one, and declared the other five elected, but somehow they have not yet been gazetted, so there has not been any meeting yet. The district is swarming with crickets; they are doing a great deal of injury to young fruit trees, especially lemons, by eating the bark. We find the best preventative to check them is to whitewash the trees -yvith a mixture of lime and sulphur. Sixty-eight cases of grapes have just been shipped by the Rose Casey, consigned to Mr. Wendel, Auckland, for wine-making purposes. This is the second consignment sent this season, all grown in the open air at l > akiri.-'-[Own Correspondent, March 20.] PUKEKOHE WEST. The members of the Improvement Society met on Monday, the 10th, to discuss the question of " Agricultural Depression." Mr. Fisher occupied the chair in the unavoidable absence of the president, and opened the discussion with a few pertinent remarks, after which the discussion was taken up more fully by Messrs. Allen, Wright, Wilson, McDonald, Russell, and Zurcher. At the close of the debate Mr. Wilson said a few ords about the cultivation of English flax, and this gentleman, having some experience in the matter, was listened to very attentively till the end of the meeting.—{A Cor respondent*]

MATAKANA.

The annual treat in connection with the Sunday School was held in Messrs. Cruickshank's paddocks. The children were amused with games of all descriptions, and were provided with an abundance of substantial fare. A cricket match was played between a number of ladies and gentlemen which was won by the latter, who played with one hand tied, using broomsticks in lieu of bats. Some of the ladies showed considerable knowledge of cricket. In the evening a public tea was given in the nail, followed by recitations by the Sunday School scholars, and selections of sacred music by the choir, Mr. Boon, of Dome alley, presiding. The superintendent, Mr. H. H. Tindall, read a financial report, which showed that the balance from last year was £3 6s 9d; subscriptions, £1 8b 6d; door takings, £5 16s : total, £10 lis 3d. Expenditure : Provisions, prizes, &c., £5 los 9d; rent of hall, £2; subscription to Scripture Gift Association, £1 Is: total, £8 os Ju; leaving a. credit balance of £2 4s 6d. J. lie proceedings closed with the benediction. The cemetery trustees, with commendable spirit, are making great improvements in the fencing and laving out of the grounds, which, when completed, will be a credit to the district. The allotmen are now surveyed and marked. The situation is picturesque, but could be improved by the planting of some ornamental trees. Could not the school children have an arbour day at the cemetery, and repair a little of what their elders are industriously destroying each year by fire?— [Own Correspondent, March 20.]