COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9116, 26 July 1888, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

|>ROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Wednesday. At an adjourned meeting of the Borough Council, held last night-present, the Mayor, and Messfis; Salmon, Knox, Wood, Sandes, Bell Missen.3s.nd Von Stunner—Mr. Joseph Frear was introduced, and took his seat. The committee appointed to examine into the best method of disposing of the storm water in Grey-street reported, recommending that Mr. Metcalfe, in conjunction with Mr. T. G. Sandes, report upon the best place of carrying out the work. On the motion of Mr. Knox, seconded by Mr. Von Sturmer, this was agreed to, and it was left to the Mayor and the mover to give the necessary instructions for carrying out the resolution. The Finance Committee was instructed to make the best arrangements for 1 depositing the balance of t the loan at interest. The Mayor was authorised to take' immediate steps to clear the saleyards of surface water, by opening up the drains between the roads and the river. The regular monthly meeting of the Domain Board was then held, the same members being present. An application was made for the lease of lots 9 and 10, some 14 acres, by Messrs. M. Wright and K. Devery. It was resolved to put up the lota at 7s 6d per acre, the land to be resumed at three months' notice if required, compensation being allowed for fencing and grassing, the fence to the station road being in conformity with the Domain land fences. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Sandes, Jones, Missen, and Knox, was appointed to draw up standing orders for the guidance of the Board. A parishioners' meeting has been duly called by the incumbent of St. Peter's for Wednesday next, to consider the financial position of the church. It is not generally known that at the irregular meeting held for this purpose yesterday week, a letter'was received from the incumbent, but withheld until the proceedings had taken another turn altogether, in which that gentleman volunteered to meet the present financial position of the parish by accepting a reduction in his stipend. This should have met all difficulties at once had the letter been produced earlier. A meeting of the Volunteer Rifle Corps was held last night, when Mr. Thomas Kirk was elected to the vacant lieutenancy. Ten new candidates as recruits were nominated and accepted. The petition against the private Bill now before the Assembly, giving the trustees of the Public and Volunteer Hall power to mortgage, was signed by those present. Tamaherk, Wednesday. The perpetrator of the dastardly outrage on Mr. W. A. Graham's orchard here is still at large. Constable Murray, of Hamilton, visited the spot, and made a thorough examination of the ground, but owing to the rain which has fallen the footprints found could not be compared with those of a suspected party. They show, however, that the act was that of a single individual. About 70 fruit-trees were cut down, and this could be easily done by night, as the orchard is some little distance from a dwelling. The crime has been committed between Friday and the date of discovery, Monday last. It is intended to call a meeting of the Justices of the Peace of the district for Friday next to determine what steps shall be taken in the matter. A strong feeling of sympathy is expressed for Mr. and Mrs. Graham, to the latter of whom indeed the orchard really belongs. Te AwAMOTtr, Wednesday. It is satisfactory to find that a commencement has been made at last in the direction of utilising the valuable and extensive limestone rocks at Te Kuiti. Yesterday the train from Te Kuiti brought down five trucks j of limestone for Mr. North, brickmaker, j part of a consignment of 20 truck-loads which the Railway Department, to encourage the industry, have, with a most commendable spirit of enterprise, allowed to be carried free of charge. The stone, consisting of irregular pieces of flat slabs, has evidently been quarried with ease. What Waikato soils for the most part require is lime, and if the limestone of Te Kuiti and the Huntlv waste coal can be cheaply brought together, the best of lime might be produced at a cost which would enable farmers, and certainly orchardists, to use it freely. Otorohanga, Wednesday. The seizure of spirits ana bottled stout reported by me, yesterday, as having been made by the police at Te Kuiti, reflects creditably on the smartness of the officer of the force, Cavanagh, of Auckland, by whom it was made. He has been stopping at the foundry at Te Kuiti, as a working hand, and made himself thoroughly cognisant of what was going on. In the case of Kinnaird's premises, only some beer was seized. On Perry's premises, a cask of whisky was found concealed in female wearing apparel in. the bedroom.