COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9095, 2 July 1888, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from our own correspondents.] Hamilton, Saturday. The friends of Mr. H. P. MePherson are about to put Madame Duflot'a skill to a crucial test by sending him down to Auckland to be treated by that lady. Nine months ago McPherson was seized with paralysis of the left side, which is still useless, though he has so far recovered as to be able to move the fingers of the left hand, though he has no feeling in it. He is, oi course, unable to walk, and has been refused admittance to the public hospital as an incurable case. He will proceed to Auckland in care of Mr. N. R. Cox, and should Madame Duflot effect a cure, cr any material alleviation of the malady in so well-known and authenticated a case, it will be a complete victory for her. Judgment was given yesterday in the R.M. Court against the following ratepayers of the county of Waikato for non-payment of rates : —William Laird, claim 12s 6d, with costs £1 Is 7d; Martin Cowborough, claim £1 8s 9d, with coots £1 ss, with credit to be given for £2 2s 3d received by plaintiff; Emma Brett, claim 6s 3d, costs £1 9s 10d; James Moran, claim £2 0s 4d, with costs 12s ; James Shaudley, claim 12s Bd, with costs £1 8s 10d ; H. Smith, claim £210s, with costs £1 9s 10d; Captain McPherson appeared for the county. The seat in the Borough Council rendered vacant by the election of Mr. Coates to the Mayoralty will be filled up by an election ou. the 16th July, unless only one nomination be received on the 9th, which is scarcely likely. As showing the effect that the high rate of wages given by the Government tf r *ilway labourers has upon the farnii-rs th lowing instances maybe mentioned which . i ""e occurred to two settle -s in this district, ~'hos. iarms are contiguous. In the one case a man had been working for the same employer for some three or four years at the rate of 5s per day, wien he suddenly left; and on being i sked where he was going replied that he had be«i working jolly hard for some years, and it v j time that he got an easy billet and good pa , which he had found as a railway employ at 6s 6d per day wet and dry. lithe other case the man was a valuablefarm servant, and was getting 5s aday for farm work, and an extra Is a - day for the milking of cows before the ordinary work of the farm began. This man, too, left to work on the railway. In the lacter case a really first-class farm hand was seduced away from his proper avocation, a loss to the colony. Farmers naturally complain, that with produce at present low rates, the Government should not keep up the wages rate some 20 per cent, above the average rates. A very large mammoth gourd is on view in the window of Mr. J. Parr, grown by Mr. darken, of Hukanui. It is perfectly sound and well-grown, and weighs 1 iOlb. Cambridge, Saturday. A meeting to consider the retrenchment policy of the Government has been called by the Mayor for Monday. Te Awamuttj, Saturday. Some little anxiety has been caused here by the appearance of that fell disease, diphtheria, which has carried away the little daughter of our much esteemed fellow settler, Mr. C. T. Rickit. People are asking what the Waikato Hospital is intended for if patients are to be refused admission. Some little time since a female patient, suffering from internal disease, was sent down to Hamilton and sent back again, on the plea that there was no room. On Thursday Dr. Pairmain telegraphed to the Hospital authorities that it was imperatively necessary that she should be received into the Hospital, and that she would be sent down on Saturday (to-day), but yesterday the doctor received a telegram, stating that she could not be received. The excuse is that the female ward is full. There are, however, fewer patients in the Hospital than there have at timea been, and as the Hospital is now the property of the Board, it is the duty of the latter either to increase the accommodation to the necessary requirements or provide 'cottage hospital accommodation in out-districts such as this. WADE. The codlin moth fever has broken out here, resulting in a debate on the subject, all suggesting remedies for the destruction of this terrible enemy. Our minds are so worked upon that if the plague made ite appearance it would create less sensation. I remember some five-and-twenty years ago a great fright was caused by an inroad of thistle. Government passed laws with amendments, inspectors were appointed, and penaltiesjinflicted on any person having this terror on his land.. The Government became poor; inspectors were not paid; clouds of thistle-down darkened the air ; a wail of horror followed their flight. The result, thistles nearly died out —some natural enemy destroyed them; and so it will be with the codlin moth. Our Blue Ribbon Society held its monthly meeting on Saturday last. There was a good attendance. The Rev. Mr.3uchanan gave a very appropriate address on temperance. Miss V. Lord and Miss E. Bond sang the duet "All's Well" with good effect; also, "Albion, on Thy Fertile Plains," was well rendered by Miss Bond and Miss E. Lloyd. Solos were sung by Miss E. Bond and Messrs. Howell and Lloyd. Recitations were given by Messrs. Adams, Jack, Thorburn, Bond, Lloyd, and Hone. There is a marked improvement in the recitations ; more animation is put into them. The meeting was opened with prayer, and closed with the Doxology. Tho choir assisted in its usual creditable manner. The dialogue " Lord Tomkins " was well performed by the Misses Meal, Brunton, Lord, and Bond, and Messrs. Home, Thorburn, Lloyd, and Dixon.

Previous to the receipt of this you will be fully informed of the death of Mr. M. Kelly. After a month's rather severe illness, he passed away on Sunday morning, suffering . at the last but little pain. He maintained his usual cheerful manner to the end. He was buried on Mondav in the burial ground given by himself. He particularly requested his son to select a dry spot within sight of his old place for his grave. The death of Mr. Kelly will le».ve a blank in this place not easily filled. Another old settler, Mr. John Smith, passed away last week. All who have travelled the old "coach road via Lucas Creek will remember him. He was always obliging and civil. His coaching days caused his death, He caught cold which settled on his lungs, bringing on consumption.—[Own Correspondent.] • DAIRY FLAT. A benefit tea meeting, in aid of a family in distress, was held in the local schoolhouse on Tuesday evening, the 19th ultimo. The case was brought under the notice of Mr. S. J. McGonagle, in charge of the Dairy Flat outpost, a few weeks ago; and he, with the assistance of settlers and friends, at once set about collecting funds to purchase the eatables for the tea meeting, so that all the money raised by the sale of tickets and by the collection taken up at the tea (which realised the sum of £1 13s 4d) should be available to be handed over to the family. The appeal met with a most generous response from both settlers and residents of this and the surrounding districts, with the result that the meeting on Tuesday evening was a great financial success. About £11, clear of all expenses, was left to be handed over to the family. Mr. McGonagle thought that the tea meeting would be a good opportunity to hold a Salvation Army service; and, with this end in view, Mrs. Hutchinson (of the Rescue Brigade) and Sergeant-Major Fernly (of the Otahuhu Corps) kindly came up to assist with the meeting. Everyone had worked well to get all things ready, and by half-past six o'clock the doors were opened, and tea commenced. It was served in two relays, and over 100 persons sat down to the bountiful repast. The tables were presided over by Mrs. J. Turnbull and Miss E. Inglis, assisted by various gentlemen. While the schoolhouse was being cleared an open-air torchlight meeting was held, led by SergeantMajor Fernly. The indoor meeting commenced at eight o'clock. The schoolhouae was crowded with an eager, txpectant, and orderly audience. There could not have been less than 150 persons present. The meeting was led by Mrs. Hutchinson, whose presence had been eagerly looked forward to, as many of those present had never heard her before. She spoke with all her wonted power and touching pathos. This was the first meeting of its kind ever held in this district, and it must be considered a great success in every way. The committee desire to thank Messrs. Bond Bros, for the free use of the crockeryware, also all other friends who so generously assisted with time or money. It is with deep regret that I have to announce the death of Mr. J. Smyth, who passed peacefully to his rest on Monday, the 18th instant, at one a.m., after a very lone and painful illness. The funeral cortege left his late residence for the new cemetery at the Wade at one p.m. on Tuesday, the 19th. A large number of settlers and others assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of the departed. The Church of England burial service was conducted by Mr. J.I-, Anglican lay reader. Mr. Sin?*! le;vvp a "rife ar-' peven young chil-dren-—six girls and one boy—to mourn their loss. —[Own Correspondent, June 26.]

PUKEKOHE EAST. The monthly meeting of the Band of Hope was held in the schoolhouse on Friday evening, June 22. There was ;i good attendance, I and a long and interesting programme, which I occupied nearly two hours. The choir sang ; "Temperance Buttle Song," "John Brown's Body, and " Native Laud;" a duet was sung

by two little girls—Mary Sharp and Sarah Easton; song by Mr. Robinson; readings by Messrs. Morgan (chairman) and T. Hamilton ; recitations by Susan Walker, James Deerness, Elizabeth Hamilton, Sarah fcaston. Alice Morgan, Lucy Hamilton, Thomas Walker, and Emily Morgan j a dialogue was given in good style by the Misses Sharp;. the whole concluding: with the popular piece, "Mrs. Maggs Is Caught," Mrs. bharp taking the principal character, Mr. Maggs and the butcher, baker, milkman, publican, and policeman each being efficiently rendered to the amusement of tho audience. . The Highway Board having decided to expend about £85 in metalling some of the worst places on the roads, at the last meeting of trustees tenders were opened and let at the following rates for breaking and spreading (per yard, 2J metal):—6s, & 6d, 6s lOid, 7s 6d, and 8s 6d, the prices differing according to the distance the metal has to Dβ hauled. Fifty per cent, will be paid when the metal is broken, and the balance when it is spread next spring, the whole to be completed by the end of Is ovember. That wretohed abortion, the Codlin Moth Bill, having been thrown out by the Upper House, settlers are now breathing freely. At present trees will not be grubbed up, but more will be planted; and, any other attempt is made by sapient legislators to rush a Bill of this sort through the House, it might be wise on their part to ascertain what experts and the settlers generally think about their measure. " Sympathetic accord" should be the motto. [Own Correspondent.] MAHURANGL The Upper Mahurangi Highway Board held a meeting on Wednesday, the 20th instant. There were present: Messrs. C. Thomson {chairman), King, Moor, and Holmes Mc*<nney, when tenders were opened at, fc , - lotft, for contract 43 :—A. A. Thomson, iA ; W. J. Southgate, £6 10s: W. Phillips, £510s; G. Young, £6 10s; W. C. Vipond, £8 ss; J. BarMMi. £6 18s. Contract 44, clearing: H. Lon • £2 6eßd; W. Wilson, junior, £2 18s; J. Ik liar, £3 4s 6d; A. A. Thomson, £3; J. W. ioor, £3; W. J. Southgate, £4 Is 3d; G. Guest, £4 15s; H. Snell, £3 15s: W. C. Vip -ad, £7 4s. Contract 45: W. Shaw, £3 7s M; J. Perry, £4 ss; J. Millar, £1 17s 6d. The lowest tender in each case was accepted. A deputation, consisting of Messrs. E. Morrison and W. Melville, waited upon the Board, and pointed out the necessity of the road known as Hepburn's Creek Road being opened. After discussion, the Board decided to open it up as far as the funds would allow. The question of day wages was carefully considered, and it was resolved that os per day would be the day wages for men employed by time. It was decided to strike a rate of Sα in the £ on the ratable property in the district for the current year, although, in consequence of the low price at which contracts were now taken, an attempt to reduce the rate to Ad was made, but lost on the voices. Tenders for various works were ordered to be called for next meeting.

A few weeks ago, when referring to the progress of our township, I had to notice that a fine new store was in course of erection for Mr. Bowen. The building is now nearly finished, and is being fast filled with stock pf more than the usual variety to be found in a country store. The promises consist of a general store 20 by 22 feet, with frontage to the two main thoroughfares, with store for heavy goods, 14 by 20 feet; batcher's shop,. 12 by 12 feet; and small sittingroom, 10 by 12 feet. The timber ueed in its construction was supplied (with the exception of tongued and grooved stuff) by local firms, and the varnish from the Avondale works was described by the contractor as the very best that ever came into the district.—[Own Correspondent.] WHANGAREI. On Tuesday, June 19, a most successful children's concert was held at the Public Hall. The building was crowded, and the repeated "iicoie3 showed that the children'c singing was well appreciate , "'. Tn ack'ition to the choruses, &■" , »u»jj hy *e whole of the performers, wiio nuit oti id about 70, solos were sung as follows :-•'' The Hat McGuiness Wore/' Master J. laresford; " Scenes That Are Brightest," Mies Pearce; "Father, Pray With Me To-night, , * Miss Rhoda McLeod; "Come, Buy My Flowers," Miss Pearce ; two comic songs, Mr. Bessell; two sentimental songs, Mr. Joe Albon; duet, " The Australian Bushrangers," J. Beresford and B. Gambie. Mr. Bradley deserves great credit for the pains he has taken to train the children. He was presented with a handsome baton on Tuesday night, as a token of appreciation. During the performance, the accompaniments were well played on the piano dv Miss Pearson, and the string baud also ably assisted. The amount taken was £12 odd.

On Friday, the 22nd, the Debating Society j.rgued out the question, " Which is the best for the colony—a high or a low rate of wages?" Not having any capitalists in the cliss, the high wages aide won easily. During the winter, several lectures will be given, and subjects of local interest will be debated, as, for instance, " Would a railway to Auckland benefit trade in Whangarei township?" The rush to Puhipuhi is now slackening off, and, although they are getting gum in payable quantities, the difficulty of getting provisions in and gum out makes the field very little, if any, better than other gumfielas. This difficulty of transit is likely to increase as the roads get worse. At the last Council meeting a by-law was passed restricting the weight of loads, and ever since the carters appear to have been seized with an insane desire to take loads twice as heavy as ever they took before. One waggon is said to have crossed Hikurangi Swamp Road with about 35owt, and 12 gumdiggera perched on top. I learn, however, that within the next week the law will be enforced without further warning or delay.—[Own Correspondent.] COROMANDEL. A very successful concert in aid of the Driving Creek Institute took place in the Driving Creek Schoolroom on Friday evening last. The room was crowded, and a splendid programme was gone through. After the overture, Mies Gibbs came forward, and sang very sweetly " Ask Again and I'll Not Say No." Later in the evening she also Bang "The Old Log Cabin in the Dell," and was deservedly encored. Her little sister, Miss Mabel, played the accompaniment with great spirit, and assisted in the choruses. Dr. Atterbury, with violin, assisted by Miss Boyd on rjiano, played "The Last Rose of Summer 1, splendidly. Mr. Carlsen sang " Around the Camp Fire." This gentleman sings well, and ii a great acquisition to all the concerts. Misses McDonald and McCartin played a short duet on the piano. Mrs. Kelly sang, "Call Me Back Again," and later in the evening sang another very pretty song. Mr. Alex. McNeil sang " When the Kye Come Hame" wellj and was loudly encorea. Later in the evening he sang " Highland Home." Mrs. Fenton sang " Remember Home Again" very nicely. Miss McCormick sang "Rolling Home to Bonnie Scotland," and later, " Does Your Heart Beat True to Me," in capital voice, and was loudly encored. Mr. Audly attempted to sing "Her Name is Norah," but, unfortunately, started on a wrong key, and beat a precipitate retreat. Mrs. Carlsen sang " Let's be Friends, and Love Again," and later she also sang " Parting at the Gate." She has a_ very sweet voice, and was highly appreciated bv the audience. Miss Home played " The Sultan's March." Miss K. Lynch sane "Molly Mavourneen" capitally, and was loudly applauded. Dr. Atterbury sang "The Midshipmite." Maws. Dugend and Luhrs sang a capital German song. Miss Nolan, Captain Gatland, and Mr. Rockliff also sang capital songs. Captain Gatland briefly returned thanks to the audience for their attendance, and to all those who had taken part in the entertainment. The National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close.—[Own Correspondent.]

PORT ALBERT. THE June meeting of the Port Albert Band of Hope came off on Tuesday evening, in the Wesleyan Chapel, Mr. J. Shepherd, in the absence of the president, occupying the chair. There was a good attendance : and an attractive programme, though insufficiently varied, was successfully gone through. There was no address. The recitations were more numerous than usual, and showed some improvement. Of the customary monthly essays from youthful members, the subject given out at the previous meeting, " Selflmprovement," appeared formidable enough to deter all save Miss Lily Gubb from preparing one. This proved well written and practical. The same subject was announced for essays for the July meeting.

The June meeting of the Port Albert Agricultural Society was held at Mr. John ."Shepherd's on Thursday evening last. Most of the evening was devoted to the now happily extinct Codlhi Moth Bill, and to codlui moth legislation generally. It was easily shown in what manner the late Bill in its main provisions was at once unjust, irrational, and would prove abortive. The tax proposed—in its nature galling and burdensome—would fall, by some irony, on those innocent of all offence, the orchardi.sts, already suffering from tho codlin moth prst lilt; aaucfcd, uot by tneinstivcs iiui by the fruit dealers. It was seen to be well-ni«-h impracticaole to really cope with the evil by legislation, but the following resolution was adopted unanimously :—" That in any futuie legislation, an adequate penalty should be exacted for exposing infected fruit for sale." —{Own Correspondent.] PUKEKOHE. Tnr. Mutual Improvement Society met ajrain on the lOtli June, when, i.. tho vmavoidable

- ■._:-;■■■,■-:■ "--- ■■■.—:■■■ " " ----- ' ---■•■■^-:-:■ ' absence of President Law, Vice-President Engster took the chair. Thirteen members -> and visitors were present. Considerable time was absorbed by making np a syllabus for the thirteen meetings of the coming quarter, after which Mr. Wright entertained the class with an interesting essay about the • history of the Maori war. . The main features ': and many stirring incidents of those memorable times were vividly brought before the minds of the attentive hearers, and it was deeply regretted that the audience was not - much larger. The numerous absentees cer- .. ' tainly missed a great treat. The arranging of the syllabus, together with the reading of this essay, having taken up all the time of the meeting, no opportunity for criticism was * -■■ given on this occasion, but it is expected that . ■ \'y-. the same lecture may be repeated before long, * •when those auxious to criticise or supplement it will have a chance to do so. , " Elocution " was on the programme for the society's meeting on the 25th June, when the Rev. Mr. Law occupied the presidential seat, while, in Mr. Fisher's absence, Mr. J. Routly acted as ' secretary. Our old friend. Mr. : -i David Russell, from Waipu, favoured the class with a visit and with a good description of his new field of labour in the North, and was warmly welcomed and thanked by the president. "On counting the members present, the .- ominous number of thirteen again turned up, a sure sign that something would go wrong; and so it did, for out of eight well-appointed " elocutionists," only four made their appearance. How and to where the four deserters passed that bright full-moon evening has not yet been divulged. From the four young members who remained faithful to their duty we received the following recitations and readings:—" To Mechanics and Others, Mr. Bennett; " Father Cohoore," Mr. Morrow ; " i>eath-doomed,' Mr. Madill; "Confession," I.' UsL',r. These pieces were, sp a whole, v ii rcaidf dd. Any failings or 3 ; .irtcoraings th veof were, however, quickly <nscovered, an exhaustively taken to task :.-.- Messrs. -■;,; L.-.7. Russell, Macdonald, Brow Routly, ). >!>; Sngster.—{A Correspondent, .4 ,ne 26.] , *j he monthly meeting of the Puke;. :>he Band > .- 1 Hope was held in the Proton iat Hall, ■' ukekohe, on June 18, the prescient, the 'Rev. J. Law. in the chair. The following programme was gone through :—Gnairman s address, recitations by Masters Leonard, Allen, Norman Law, Harold Law Messrs. Watson (encored) Bennett, and try. Ihe Rev W. F. Finlay addressed the meeting. Solos were sung by Misses Bryant, Kenny, and McMee. Two dialogues were gone through—" Advertising for a Schoolmaster," by Messrs. Mec, Bennett, Bayly, Usher. Morrow and Murry, also, " Patrick and Michael, by Messrs. Bayly, Bennett, D. Bayly, Usher, Murry, Morrow, and Hooper. There were other items on the programme, but there was not time to go through them. The choir, under the management of Miss Smith, gave several hymns out of Hoyle's collection, and brought to a close a very pleasant evening.— A Correspondent.] ; ■ [ : ELTHAM AND NGAIRE. , That a private venture is generally more profitably worked than a company concern is borne out by the success of our looal butter factory, which, up till how, has given its owner some return for capital expended, in pleasing contrast' to such as Maiiaia and Opunake. The building, and appointments are most compactly built, and of the latest designs, and as the machinery is driven by water-power, there is every opportunity for economical working.. In his manager, Mr. Chew Chong has secured a gentleman qaalitied in every particular to make the most out • • of the affair, which statement is borne out by the fact of the produce having brought top price whenever submitted for sale. A large two-storey building is approaching completion near Elthara Station, to 'be used , in connection with Mr. Chew Chong's general , store. >-. : . ■■■■■. ■'■ Mr. Adams, of Patea andH&tyac.. who has long carried on a drapery ei t-»' lndent in Eltham, has just now nad a* idfl't'on put to his premises, and gone in fo* - *..'rv bvanchof* m, general store, whieli v« : a" " ivder the (.'•Xβ i; i&nayement of Mr. *x'«~* .. . keiy .to be very successful. . The present lease of the Eltham sawmills . will run out in a few weeks, and as yet it has not transpired what will be the future of the business ; but as there- is yefc a fair amount of timber to be had conveniently, it is probable they will be kept running for another spell. . .. ■"-, -■ ~- > Lately there has been a goodly number of visitors hereabouts on the look-out for ' land, and some of them, I am glad to say, have found places to suit them. . " ' Among the latest sales, I hear that Mr. McCracken has sold his section at the corner of Hasting and Eltham Roads. This is a very fine hundred-acre lot; with a new four-roomed house on :t. ; •,-'"*, • ■ •<" • -

The Ng lire entertainments for the purpose of clearing off the debt on the Town Mall, are still being carried on successfully about once a fortnight, fob next occasion coming oii' on Friday June 1, and everything points to it being an extra efiort, which I hope will meet its due reward.. - ■•..-:- j ;.'. -■;'•' ; j The school holidays are commencing this week, and it is to be hoped that good weather will be the rule, bo that both teachers and children may enjoy their cessation from work. —{A Correspondent.] \ ■ , ■ TB KOPURU. < -s A concert and lecture in aid of the funds of the Anglican Church was given in the Te Kopuru Hall on Tuesday, June 19. The hall was tolerably well filled with a highly appreciative audience. The lecturer was the Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan, and the subject was "An Analysis cf I;:i«h Character." The lecturer was evidently an enthusiast in Ms subject, and claimed to be well qualified Xfj deal ivii,h it. .lie is us ard?:*t ITorce Ruler, and carried his audience with him by Ma earnestness and eloquence. His recital of Shiel's reply to Lord Lyndhurst's change that the Irish were aliens was most effective. He considered the Irish the finest people in the world with the fewest faults. He strongly denounced their dissensions and drunkenness,but asserted that there was less crime in proportion in Ireland than England, where, he said, Dr. Lankester, the Midland Counties coroner, on an average held an inquest a day on a. child murder. The reverend lecturer was frequently applauded, and received' a hearty vote of thanks. Mr. F. Matthews acted as chairman. During the intervals a programme of music was got through most satisfactorily. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings. • The Rev. Father Kehoe is about to leave this district. _ He has made a name for himself during his residence on the Wairoa. He will be missed, probably, from Kopuru more than any other settlement, as this was his headquarters. Musical talent such as his is hard to replace. ■■■..' . A man named Whitburn met with an accident a few days ago. He had fastened a piece of cord to a belt to draw it on the drum. By some means the cord caught the shaft, and he was carried round several times before the engine could be stopped. Hie arm was broken, but otherwise he escaped wonderfully well. Kopuru has been for a long time singularly free from accidents.—[Own Correspondent] . , •