COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9030, 17 April 1888, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Monday. At the meeting of the Hamilton Highway Board, on Saturday, the balloting out for fresh members took place, when the lot fell on Messrs. G. Way and H. P. McPherson to retire. A letter was read from Mr. Coom, railway engineer, agreeing to lower the culvert under the railway at the 82£ miles distance, but declining to deepen the drains. In the case of Mr. H. P. McPherson, which had been recommended to the Hoepital for exceptional treatment, a reply was received from that body, stating that all in its power had been done for Mr. McPherson, but the case (paralysis) was one which could not be received into the Hospital. Mr. H. H. Oakes, of the Bank of New Zealand, and family, arrived on Saturday to take up the position of teller in the local branch of that bank in Hamilton, vacated by the removal of Mr. W. N. Von Sturmer to the head office in Auckland. During the visit to Auckland last week of the chairman and secretary of the committee appointed at the late public meeting to initiate the establishment of a Board of Agriculture for the Waikato district, they had the good fortune to meet with Mr. J. H. Harrop, who introduced them to Mr. Campbell, the American Consul. They stated that they had called on Mr. Campbell on behalf of the committee for information to assist them in setting the proposed institution on foot. Mr. Campbell explained that in America there existed a State Bureau at Washington, and minor branches in the several States. He was best acquainted with that of California. The functions of these institutions, which were corporate bodies but without taxing powers, were the gathering and dissemination of information on agricultural matters, distributing of seeds, etc. To the best of his recollection, the Californian Board was supported by a State grant of £10,000 yearly. Another source of revenue was derived from the entrance money taken at public agricultural shows and exhibitions which were carried out under their auspices. He recommended them to write to the heads of the department of the Washington and California Bureaux, and promiseo. that he would himself write by next mail, asking that the fullest information should be returned to their inquiries. Morrinsville, Monday. At the meeting of the Piako County Council, held at Te Aroha, it was resolved that the meetings in future should be held at this place; but a motion by Mr. Mills, that the offices should be moved from Cambridge, was, after some discussion, allowed to be withdrawn. A sum of £75 waii voted for pack tracks from Waiorongomai to the mines. A sum of £387, being naif the yearly contribution to the Hospital by the Board, was also voted. The motion of Mr. Williams, to vote a refund of £30 to the Patetero Company—the half of road work done by it—lapsed, and a sum of £30, to complete the approaches to the bridges on the road to the Gordon Settlement, was carried.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Tauranga, Monday. The old-established Bay of Plenty Times newspaper has again changed hands. The new proprietor is Mr. James Galbraith, solicitor, who took over possession to-day. It is understood that the Mail, in which Mr. Galbraith is also interested, will cease to issue and be amalgamated with the Times. The Maori personation cases in reference to the Papamoa Block have been engaging the attention of the R.M. Court to-day. These cases have now been before the Court for over a week, and are the longest cases on record, so far as the hearing is concerned. The last of the six cases was ueing heard today, and the evidence of the natives for the defence, as in the former cases, was to endeavour to implicate the officer who was negotiating the purchase on behalf of the Government.

Pakroa, Monday. At a meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council on Saturday evening, it was decided to accept the resignation of Mr. Jackson, County Engineer, and advertise for a Foreman of Works.

Tae poll for the county loan of £1100 eventuates next Wednesday, and will probably be lost.