COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9011, 26 March 1888, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

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Hamilton, Saturday. In addition to the valedictory address presented yesterday evening to the Rev, J. Dellow, referred to in my telegram of last night, Mr. R. R. Cox presented that gentleman with a gold solitaire set, and Mrs. Salmon presented Mrs. Dellow with a silver cruet on behalf of the congregation, as souvenirs of their sojourn in Hamilton. Now that the capitation allowance has been so diminished that expenses connected with the Hamilton band, which is now a military one, merged in the company, has to be considered. Mr. W. A. Graham, to whose zeal the success of the volunteer movement in Hamilton ie due was appealed to, and advised the enrolment of honorary members, the annual subscription not to exceed half-a-crown, himself heading the list. Quite a number of persons have sent in their names and subscriptions to Captain Reed, and it is expected that the difficulty will be met in this way. On Good Friday, 30th instant, the only train running in Waikato will be the excursion train from Auckland to Te Aroha, Cambridge, and Te Awamutu. On Easter Monday, an early morning excursion train will leave Waikato stations for Auckland, reaching there about noon, leaving Auckland again on the following day for Waikato at twenty minutes past six p.m. Noaruawahia, Saturday. The following weights have been declared for the races here on Easter, acceptances of which must be sent in not later than Tuesday : —Hurdles : Falcon, list l'2lb; Kotiro, lOst 81b; Boy Sawyer, lOst 41b; Argyle and Te Namo, 9st 121b each; Arititaha (late Mercedes), 9st 81b ; Pretender, 9st 41b ; Marksman, Glencoe, Jack, Topsy, and Maori, 9st each. Ngaruawahia Handicap : Snake, Sst 121b ; Haricot, 7stslb ; Memorandum, 7st2lb ; Arititaha, 7st; Joe, 6st 71b ; and Topsy, 6st. Ngaruawahia Plate: Snake, 9st; Haricot, Bst 101b; Memorandum, 7st 101b; Parnell, 7st; Miss North and Maungatautari, 6st 121b each ; Aratitaha, Joe, Perieri, and Peiatu, 6st 101b each; Naenae and Miss Fisher, 6st 211) each ; Pinfire and Welcome Johnny, sst 101b each.

Tamahere, Saturday. The suggestion thrown out in this column that the third and last cricket match of the season between Cambridge and Hamilton be played here on the day of the fete (Easter Monday) has been acted upon. Wickets will be pitched at noon. Te Awamutc, Saturday. The farewell soiree, given on Wednesday evening to the Rev. J. J. Mather, Wesleyan minister for this circuit, on the occasion of his removal, was in every way a success. In his farewell address, Mr. Mather expressed his regret at leaving the district, but said he hoped, after the meeting of the Conference in Auckland in November, to come up to Te Awamutu and deliver a lecture on " W. E. Gladstone'' to his old friends. An excellent concert was part of the evening's programme. [BY telegraph. — own CORRESPONDENT.] Hamilton, Saturday. A four-roomed weatherboard cottage, owned and occupied by a Maori named Honi, was burned to the ground at Hukunui on Thursday night. Nothing is known as to the cause of the fire. The house was insured in the Standard office for £120, but the furniture and clothes of Honi and family were uninsured, and so strong a hold had the fire that nothing was saved. Hone, too, acted as banker for other natives, and had in his possession some £26, deposits from several Maoris whom, of course, he will have to reimburse. The cricket match between Taupiri and Paterangi was played on Sydney Square to-day, and resulted in a win for Paterangi by one wicket and five runs, the scores being Paterangi 32 and 59, Taupiri 37 and 49. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES OF THE POKENO WESLEYAN CHURCH. This interesting affair eventuated on Wednesday evening, and proved a great success. It should, however, be stated that the annual sermons were preached last Sabbath by the Rev. J. Taylor, of Auckland, to large congregations, and his ministrations were highly appreciated. The preparations for the soiree were of a most elaborate description, and the fair hands who artistically decked the tables with flowers, and leaves, and ferns quite took the people by storm. The tea, and all the delicacies with which the tables were loaded, were rendered yet more inviting by the taste displayed by the young ladies who volunteered their services to preside at the tables. Tea over, there was a stampede to the church. The service of song, " Uncle Tom," was the great feature of the evening. The Rev. John Law opened the meeting with singing and prayer, and then called upon Mr. R. Hobbs, M.H.R., to preside, who, in doing so, made a brief financial statement as to the position of the trust funds, and then called upon the Rev. Mr. Law to proceed with the reading in connection with the service of song. This was "done to the life." The choir, under the able leadership of Mr. Wm. Dean, and Mrs. Kingsford at the organ, quite surprised even the critical who came to near, and altogether it was a most successful affair, and was a marked improvement on the stereotyped after-meetings of all these annual soirees, which are generally little else than a lot of dry speeches," and small talk. Votes of thanks to the.ladies providing the tea, the choir and Mrs. Kingsford (the organist), and to the chairman brought a most pleasant evening to a close at a reasonable hour.— Correspondent.]