COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9115, 25 July 1888, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.]

Te Awamutu, Tuesday. .TfiKspread of diphtheria.has received a check, and there are no new cases reported in the township, while under Dr. Pairman's care those suffering are in a fair way of recovery. Disinfectants are being freely used as preventives, and it is hoped that the worst is over. At Te Rahu a fresh case was spoken of yesterday, and the public school there has been closed as here and at Kihikihi, as a precautionary measure. The meet of the Pakuranga hounds at Rangiaohia yesterday was very meagrely attended, only about a dozen being present, but the sport was good, a brace of hares being killed. The five-shilling fee for the privilege of joining the hunt is, in the present unpopularity of any more taxation, as fatal to hunting as the Codlin Moth Act would have been to fruit-tree cultivation.

Otoroiianga, Tuesday. Mr. J. W. Ellis has brought up and liberated 200 young trout in the stream here. The fish arrived in excellent condition, and will doubtless thrive and do well, as it has been amply demonstrated that the eels are not destructive amongst the young fry, though where spawn is deposited in the river, beds it has always been destroyed. Had the spawn of the Californian salmon distributed by Mr. J. C. Firth some ten years ago so freely in the tributaries of the upper Waikato, been first hatched out and the young fish liberated instead, the Waikato River, a most suitable stream for salmon, being of lower temperature than rivers in the South of England, such as the Wye and Severn, where they thrive well, would by this time have been fully stocked with that useful fish. The work is one which should be yet undertaken by the Hamilton Domain Board at its fish-breeding establishment, from which the Waikato River and streams have already been stocked with trout.

A raid has been made by the police on suspected sellers of spirits and beer at Te Kuiti, and two seizures have been made— the one on the premises of Mr- Perrv, and the other on those of Mr. Kinnaird. In the former place a keg of whisky and a case of stout were seized. Prosecutions will be instituted against both parties; the sale of spirits or beer in the King Country being prohibited by law.

; KiHiKiHr, Tuesday. ■ Although the public school is closed as a precautionary measure, we are escaping: the further spread of that fell disease* diphtheria. Folks here are giving themselves up to the delights of rinking. and a social nuking party is arranged,, for Thursday evening, in the rublic HalL after whioh dancing will, it is announced, be kept up all night. " •■-«,?)

: 3 CLEVEDON (WAIROA SOUTH). 01 .£■ public meeting convened by the ', Wairoa School Committee was held in the schoolroom here on Friday, 13th inst, at 7 ; p.m. • Mr. James Bell presided. The ' object ,of calling the meeting was to propose that in the interests of ; education the jNess Valley School, which . now part of the Wairoa School district, be separated from Wairoa/ and proclaimed ) a separate school district. Proposed by Mr. Thos. Murray, and seconded ?7 J*%i John • MacCormick. " That Ness Valley be separated from Wairoa and proclaimed , the Ness Valley school district, and that the,Wairoa School Committee take the necessary steps with the Board of Education to bring about the desired change." The proposition was carried unanimously.—{Own Correspondent] «..;.. t r , 4 : w V. '-'...,.' ;

;. • KAUKAPAKAPA. A PUBLIC meeting of ratepayers took place in the hall on, Tuesday evening, the 10th inst, for the purpose of deciding whether certain district roads should be closed. One of these is the old road extending from the Excelsior Bridge along the foot of the hill to {Mr." . Murray's house; the other is a short piece in front of Mr. Gavin Shanks', from his house to its junction with the main West Coast Road. Mr. Dye, the chairman of the meeting, explained that the roads in question were of no further use, and that all the provisions of the Public Works Act for closing the same had been complied with: Mr. K. Sinclair moved, "That the roads as" described . be closed." Seconded by Mr. W. Lee and carried." , ' | : The Road Board then held an ordinary meeting for the transaction Of, business. Present: Messrs. Dye (chairman), Drinnahj Sincliar, Lee, and Andrews. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Stokes wrote asking permission. to take piles along the road to the station. Granted,' the side of the road to be used, and if any damage is done to the metal, the same to be made good by Mr. Stokes, i Mr/Diuiningham wrote asking permission to sledge posts along the side of the road to the station. Granted. Henry .Woodcock wrote stating that he had been employed - by the Komokoriki Road Board to make up the approaches to ■■ th Makarau and Rahore Bridges on the Komokoriki Road District side, and offered to make up the same on the Kaukapakapa side for £1. Offer accepted, aMA Shanahan wrote; offering 10s for a kauri tree on one of the district roads in the Makarau district, opposite his property."! Resolved that Mr. Shanahan should have the tree for 15s. The Komokoriki Road Board forwarded a copy of a petition to Parliament, praying for wharfage accommodation at the junction of the Kaukapakapa with the Kaipara River, and asking the Board to sign the same and forward it "to the House. The Board declined to take any action in the matter. Mr. Shanks, senior, wrote asking the Board to repair the road leading to the Kaipara Harbour, opposite his place, as he intended to stop .the traffic) through his property at that place. Resolved, " That the matter be left with Mr. Drinnan to confer with Mr. Shanks'." The „ following accounts were passed for "payment —Advertising, Weekly News, £3 x& 6<Ji John Goodwin, work on roads, £4<4s; Gavin Shanks, jun., fascining at Excelsior Bridge, £12 18s; Helensville Timber Company, £1 Is; dog col lars, £1 Os 6d. The meeting then terminated. So far the winter has been excellent, merely a prolongation of autuinni! It is to be hoped we won't pay for it later on..—[Own Correspondent.] ■ ■ ' - ■ :•• •• " * '-'"■••• i ;:■.-;;. ™£% OKAIHU. Tf, \ The monthly meeting of the Okaihau Mutual Improvement Association took place on the 30th of June, ; when the Echo; the monthly journal of the association, was read. The; first article was "Okaihau," by a visiter, and ,was rather flattering to the district. Next a letter on the North Auckland Trunk Railway, and' then a humorous punning articl&pn Waimate by Narcissus." A rather amusing" article on umbrellas followed," in which the writer compared various kinds of umbrellas with different sorts of men. Next a selected article I from Mark . Twain oh " British Festivities," and a long article on " Flora McDonald , and Prince Charlie, the Pretender," concluded the paper. [Own Correspondent.] _*_ :i ,. , . : . ; PUKEKARORO. ~.„:.:;'.....! The tragic circumstances connected with the death at Point 'Resolution of William McMillan have caused the inhabitants of this district much'surprise and a like amount of pain and regret. McMillan was born and brought up in this district, and aoknow ledged by all to have been a steady, industrious young man. His genial disposition and respectful demeanour had gained for him the good opinion of all who knew him thoroughly. That deceased should have been tempted to commit the rash act which deprived him of life seems hardly credible to those who knew him intimately. Much sympathy is felt for his widowed mother. I regret having to write that an unfortunate accident bejel the Rev. C. A. Tobin on Sunday last. ' The particulars, as far. as-. I have been able to collect ; them, are as follows :—Mr. Tobin had been conducting worship in the Kaiwaka Church on the evening of . the day named. At the conclusion of .the service, the rev. gentleman ' mounted his horse, and, after proceeding some distance along the road, the horse suddenly i fell, throwing Mr. Tobin, who, in falling, injured his right arm. appears that, beyond receiving a.severe shaking and experiencing considerable pain in the arm mentioned, it is not anticipated that he. is seriously injured. " ..■■• \.... n ifr= ':■' >;•..'■ ;sii\x Two new telephone stations have recently been opened 7in this district. One is at Pukekaroro, the other at Hakaru. and both will be a great boon to the public. . The office at Hakaru owing to its central position, is likely to have a good run of business. Being in the hands of Mr. N. J. Sarah is of itself a sufficient guarantee that the wants of the public will be diligently attended to. I would add that, when- the precise localities of these offices become sufficiently known to outsiders, a more direct, consequently quicker, delivery of messages Will take place.' As it is, telegrams still continue to arrive at Mangawai intended for persons residing 12 or 15 miles inland ; whereas, if forwarded to the Pukekaroro or Hakaru office, communications could be in the hands of recipients hours earlier.— Correspondent.]

. ,RAHOTU. ; A meeting of the school committee was held on June 30. Present: Messrs. Thomas Collins, A. Coffey, and G. W. Gane (chairman). Correspondence read, including letter from Mr.' Bell, the teacher, re teachin" singing in the school. - He says ":"*-' " With reference to your question re singing taught in schools; I may state that I have introduced two new subjects into the school during the short time that I have been teacher, viz., drill and elementary science. The latter subject is treated in a very simple, common sense manner, the' object of the lessens being to get the children to observe and reflect upon what occurs around them from day to day." The Inspector's report is as follows, dated May. 1 : —Boys, 18; girls, 16: total, 34. Time-table shows too much time for arithmetic, and too little for reading and dictation. The master is giving much time to his school >. and the preparation of work. He is energetic, and determined to succeed. He promises well, and I believe, with a few years' experience, will attain to a good position as a teacher. ' Mental arithmetic is taught forcibly, whenever possible. Class-teaching of subjects would be an advantage. Blackboard models should also be given, with careful treatment, &c. Some other formal business was transacted, and accounts passed, and the meeting terminated.

A gentleman (Mr. McCullum, Okato) has J been in the habit for some time since of | coming down here on Friday evenings with [ hia coach, leaving on Saturday morning I early for New Plymouth, arriving at Okato j (where he lives) to change horses, and pasI sengers get their breakfast, returning" to | Rahotu at night. Mow, as his business has ! so increased, he has determined to remove | from here entirely. He has a dwelling and j general store nearly, completed. He-has sold out his store at. Okato. _ Mr. McCullum being | a very obliging man, is sure to "be success- , ful in his venture. The flaxmills are very busy, working both day and night, and I hear turning out a. firstclass marketable article.

As soon as Mr. McCullum opens his general store, the post office will be shifted from the present place. He will also be asked to take charge of the telephone. . Mr. Syme, an old settler at Okato, has taken over the store at. Okato, and, being a very popular settler; ought to get well patronised. He has served on various public bodiesLand Boards, Road Boards, County Councils, Provincial Council, Hospital, Education, and othersso his success is pretty certain. ' The weather continues fine. Rates are high, and the price of produce is low.— Correspondent.] KATIKATI. Ok Sunday, the Sth inst., divine service was conducted in the Uretaia Church by the Rev. Canon Johnston, who, by special request, delivered an address to the Orangemen of our district. The members of the local lodge assembled at the Orange Hall under thesupervision of Captain Hugh Stewart, and ,

~, .,.-,., ,.-. . - . ~,,,... «... .. «: ••-«-« thence, adorned with the regalia of their order, marched in a long procession to the church. • The rev. gentleman, taking for his text Isaiah lx., 12, in an eloquent* and forcible. discourse showed clearly how the world's* history had been a literal fulfilment'of the prophesy. An earnest appeal was made, to the Orangemen to act tip to the principles of their order, • •and show by the example of their lives that they were Christians not; merely "in * profession, but also in their acts. • * Mr. P. Loach has called for tenders for the erection of an hotel' for Mr. B. McDonnell, on his recently-purchased allotment at the Uret&ia, so that we may expect to see ft start made in a short time. V. -**,- v :;:,,,;,>;*'".*/

~-r A very enjoyable dance was given by Captain and Airs. Hugh Stewart at their residence, Athoaree, where -. upwards. of 50 guests spent a most pleasant evening. .Captain and Mrs. Stewart's entertainments are amongst the most successful held here, both host and hostess going to great pains to secure the enjoyment of then" guest* >:,&-s&■?■( .A concert for the purpose of paying off a debt of about £7 on a handsome chandelier, purchased by the church last year in honour of Her Majesty's Jubilee, was held lately■ in the hall. The entertainment being .hastily got up, and not sufficiently advertised, was hardly a success from a, financial point of view, though' most of the items comprising the programme were well rendered ana much applauded; "". - .... ... ,--..•;.(«*"/»" Miss M. T. Mulgan, the popular teacher of No. 3 school, has, much to the regret of everyone, left our neighbourhood for the busy city of Auckland. - Miss Mulgan was not only a general favourite in the settlement, but had also proved herself -, a. , highly. successful teacher, her percentage of passes last:'year being, very high: so that both parents and children naturally regret her departure, though wishing her every success in whatever locality her labours may be bestowed* t% Miss Gill, Miss "Mulgah's successor, is daily expected to arrive, and, take charge of the I vacant school. "" " li *"■■"■. .= ~ '~-'-:...». •*-

The ; shooting season, now. rapidly drawing to a close, did not bring so many outsiders to our neighbourhood as it generally does. Birds on the whole have been scarce and wild, though a few, fairish bags were made early in the season." The Cahfornian "quail have not yet reached us, though they are to be seen ia large numbers within a few miles of .the settlement. „ However, they will no "doubt in' a short time find "their" way to the clearings and afford an extra source*of sport •in, the season. t A few of the black swans so plentiful In the harbour have lately ' been shot, the birds being taken to Tauranga to be skinned. It seems at this season of the year these kinds lose the long flight feathers of their wings, and so being unable to fly, fall ah easy prey'to the enthusiastic sportsman. ,?»• A concert and theatrical entertainment, to take place towards the end of August, is bow being arranged for, and as it is some time since any of our :,. local talent has appeared behind the footlights, a great success pre-dicted-for the undertaking. ': J : ;' ~ The long spell of dry weather, so unusual at this season/ has been,; turned 'i to jjood account, farmers having been steadily at work ploughing and sowing winter wheat and oats. Rather more wheat than usual will be grown this year, the settlers being anxious to supply the Wairoa mill if possible with the necessary grain*. 1 -- I *-:' u-* " 5 - -n " , A large number of . both natives and Europeans are engaged in digging gum in the ranges behind the settlement f Since the fall in the price of gum most of those on the field say that, only with difficulty are they able to , make anything beyond a bare, living. However, such is .the scarcity of remunerative employment that almost daily additions are being made to the number of those at work. Waihi still furnishes a limited market for farm produce, chaff, vegetables, and 'dairy produce being the principal articles in demand.; Only 'a J few Of. our settlers are working on the field, the rush being over for the present. However, it 'is hoped thai) more work .will be coming by-and-bya.;-. * No one has yet,', taken . the store lately in occupation of Mr. C. Gledstanefl ;■ but as inquiries have already been made for a building by a gentleman who. purposes opening a store somewhere about the Uretaia, it is thought the present monopoly will not be of long duration.— Own Correspondent] . .

OPtJNAKE.', Some time ago a few settlers leased the Opdnake dairy concern, and purchased a cream . separator, and went in for buttermaking, sfaipping two shipments ,to London., The returns have come to hand. A shipment.of 69 kegs, shipped by the b.s. Arawa'and sold on or about the 25th April last, realised 3 92s per cwt.. Shipments of 85 kegs by the s.s. lonic and 99 kegs by the Arawa were sold on or about the 12th of the same month, and realised 82s. - The broker's j report i stated :— " Fine quality butter, Well made; and of very good flavour. Rather too pale in colour. Altogether ; a very desirable, satisfactory parcel.";. , • . , - Recently a native was tried at the R.M. -Court for horse-stealing, , but. as the R.M. considered ' the evidence* not. sufficient to commit him, the case was dismissed. The Inspector of Police, who was the prosecutor, asked for a rehearing, which was granted. When the Court next sat, the Inspector objected to go through the old evidence, considering it only necessary to produce ; any fresh evidence he might have. The counsel for the native maintained that the Court must hear all the evidence. Arguments were used by both sides, the case being discussed, when, as I am informed, the In- ' spector exceeded his position by losing his temper, and the \ R.M. ',' had to remind i the Inspector that the Bench ' must be treated s with due respect. People here have no.de--sire to: see any person, whether white or Maori, suffer innocently, and, if the police are only doing their duty by bringing cases before the Court, they must understand that the Bench is the tribunal to decide, and for the present anyone must bow to that decision. The Bench must give any prisoner the benefit of the doubt, if any doubt exists. It is reported that a settler has written to the member for New Plymouth complaining of the R.M.'s decision, who has handed it over to the Minister of Justice, ; who approves of the action of Major Luke, the R.M. It is a pity that anything in the shape of jealousy is attributed to the cause of the decision as between police and permanent militia, as I can Vouch for the united way the police and permanent militia Worked together at Parihaka when Te Whetu and other natives were arrested, I being the wily unofficial eye-witness of their actions at that affair. '-- ,! "" .'-■' > "',''' * .■<■ '<".."'.:'.'.,' , We are in luck's way, if things are true, as I hear, if only it turns out on a small scale. It has been reported that a Maori discovered some very rich quartz in the Taungatara stream, about three miles further south J but I will not dwell on the discovery further at present." ...';;"';' ■"■';..'.*"- V.Y-- ".'"''' Our gallant Major, Sir Harry, must have a lively time of it in Wellington. Not long since he retrenched his salary to satisfy some people, and what is the result? Poor pay, poor work. Sir Harry, on the eve of the election, came and fathered us for a while, when Mr. McGuire said, " You arc seeing a lot of the Major, but, as soon as the election is over, he will pack up his carpet-bag and be off, and leave you as you were." About five weeks ago a public meeting was held, and the Chairman of the Town Board presided. He communicated the result to the gallant Major, requesting a reply, but tip to the present none has been received. Some people grumble, while others reply, "Look", you have the Premier to represent you; look at the.honour." ...;./;.:'.

We are in possession of the account of the New Plymouth Harbour Rate Defence Committee. It Was a capital bit for the lawyers. Mr. Travers', of Wellington, legal charges are £34 63 3d. For what? Well may those that subscribed ask for what. Mr. Travers could best answer that. Was not Sir Harry going to do something to relieve the ratepayers ? Yea ; but when just on the eve of the next election we will hear from him no doubt.— Correspondent.] ; \! .'■"' . : VV. NGAIRE. - A much-needed improvement is to be made on the school, and tenders have been invited towards that end. ~ A departure has been made in the nature 1 of the Saturday evening entertainments, Mr. Cook, tho local schoolmaster, having on the last occasion given the first of a.' series of science lectures. He took for his subject "Sulphuric Acid," and treated it in a most entertaining and instructive style. Numerous • experiments served to illustrate the lecture, and the audience evinced the interest they took in this part of the programme by the close attention they gave to the lecture -throughout. Songs and recitations, as also a character sketch, ' The Irish Schoolmaster." ■were given at intervals, and much appreciated. The success of these entertainments is now assured, and too much thanks Cannot be awarded to all who have given a helping hand in getting up and carrying out these efforts to instruct and amuse all who attend. •"■ . ' r ~.^ One bad item of news has just reached me, to the effect that butter, which has latelybrought Is per lb, has suddenly dropped 3d. This will retard the rise in price of dairy cattle which has lately begun to show itseli. Store cattle show an upward tendency i* price.—[Own Correspondent.]