COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9025, 11 April 1888, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

TUAKAU.

On the evening of the 28th ultimo a concert was held in the schoolhouse in aid of the Presbyterian Church. The day had been very stormy and cold, and in the evening the weather was much the same, consequently the attendance was not large; nevertheless an appreciative programme was effectively carried out. Some ladies and gentlemen came long distances to assist. A Mr. Frost is about putting up a steam flax mill close adjoining the landing-place on the Waikato. He made application to the Highway Board for permission to build oil the road terminating at the beach, where formerly stood a house, but it is doubtful if the Board has power to grant the application.

Threshing is nearly over. So far the results are very satisfactory and gratifying. In many instances 30 bushels of wheat, and 40 of oats to the acre of good quality, have been threshed out. ..

The Frozen Meat Company have sent circulars to the milk suppliers to the creamery here, setting forth that for the next year they will not give more than a gallon of 1041b, instead of, as now, 24d for 10|Id to the gallon of milk. It is unfortunate the company should seek to bind the farmers to this new arrangement at a time when the weather is cool, milk diminishing in quantity, and butter more readily disposed of, the farmers as a body are not disposed to yield to this new arrangement, they think, for the time occupied, and the wear and tear of horseflesh and cart, the present price is little enough.—[Own Correspondent.] PUKEKOHE. The weekly meeting of the Mutual Improvement Class was helion Tuesday, 27th March, the Rev. J. Law presiding. After the ordinary routine matters were got through, the class was favoured with an essay by Mr. John Routly, entitled "A Trip to the Great Barrier." Mr. Routly made this trip in company with Mr. Engster. The essayist gave an account of the various islands they passed in the Gulf. He gave a graphic description of the beauty of the narboui of Port Fitzroy. Some account of the Kaikoura Island, owned by Mr. Engster, was also given. The hill scenery of this group of islands was described as picturesque. The essayist spoke terms of praise of the hospitality of the Barrier settlers, and the very neighbourly feeling which exists between them. The essay was full and comprehensive, and showed that the essayist possessed keen observant powers. The president, Messrs. Fisher, Russell, Wright, and Engster commented favourably upon the essay. The class adjourned until the 9th of April, at whicn meeting the election of officers is to take place. Correspondent.]

POLLOK. The Follok Mutual Improvement Class held its monthly meeting on Wednesday evening, the 28th March. It was a small meeting, on account of the night being wet and stormy. Messrs. J. Torbet, J. S. Clark, J. Scoullar, A. Clark, and others gave instructive, and in some case 3 comical readings, also two excellent essays, one on " Witch in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries," and the other on " The Inquisitorial Tribunal of Spain under Torquemada." There has been a few wet, cold, and stormy days here during the past week, which were considered to be the equinoctial gales. It is now, however, calm and pleasant. The ground is damp but pretty warm, giving a good appearanoe of plenty of grass for the winter. —[Own Correspondent.] WHANGAREI. There is a paragraph in the last weekly Eapers stating that the past month of March as been one of the wettest on record; and again, writing of the great gales lately experienced in the Wairarapa, that 41 telegraph poles have been blown down between Masterton and Featherstone. There is a very marked difference in this and the weather we have had, there not having been four days rain in the past month, and not sufficient to wet the ground an inch deep up to the present. Of wind we have not had any. Wonderful difference in climate. This has its drawback, for the crickets are very numerous, eating up the vegetation. In orchards they are particularly bad, so that a little more rain would have been very welcome. The Easter holidays have made a marked improvement in business. . On the days previous, the' streets in the township were well filled, and the steamers are doing a greater traffic. Young people are going to and from Auckland to visit their parents and connections.

There are several people talking of leaving for Silverton, notwithstanding that there is some prospecting and improvement in mining; and other industries here. There is a vague rumour in currency that a find has been made in this district of a valuable character, but the parties positively refuse to give any information until the matter is tested as to its paying qualities, which is being done in Auckland. This time it is said to be silver or tin that predominates in the stone. ' Our coal fields, it is also confidently stated, will be worked shortly in a better and more systematic manner. We have large deposits of. ironstone readily accessible, and hematite and limestone laving beside our coal mines, only requiring skill and capital to take advantage of their relative positions to make handsome profits.— Correspondent.] *