COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9179, 8 October 1888, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

MAHURANGI. My attention has been directed by the Clerk of the R.M. Court to an error which inadvertently appeared in the Weekly News of September the 22nd, under the heading of Warkworth P.M. Court. In this report it appears that judgment was obtained by the bower Mahurangi Road Board against F. L. Protheroe for unpaid rates. It seems that the summons was issued, but not returned, consequently the judgment was not obtained. .1 have been informed that the Rechabites and Oddfellows' Clubs have secured the services of Dr. Carolall as medical officer for the members' benefit. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Upper Mahurangi Highway District Board was held at the office, Wa kworth, on Wednesday, September 19, when there were present : Mr. C. Thomson (chairman), and Messrs King, Moor, Sainsbury, andß. H. McKinney. The following tenders were opened : Contract, 51, H. Snell, £8; G. Guest, .V> 19s fid; R. Hawkins (accepted), ,-.(> Is. Contract 52, G. Guest, .-.3 19s. This being th a only tender, and under the Board's estimate, was accepted. Contract 53, Mr. ,J. Southgate, £1 15s; H. Snell, £1 9s (id; G. Guest accepted), 17s fid. The Board also decided to let the clearing of Kourawhero Hill, and to take over and open up the Hepburn's Creek Road as soon as plans are received. An application was received from Mr. W. H. Pulham to have some repairs done, to which the board acceded. A lew weeks ago the business carried on in Warkworth by Air. Kendall changed hands, and is now carried on by his late manager, Air. R. H. Douse, under the style of R. H. Douse and Co. ; and last week another change took place, the business hitherto conducted by Mr. John Richards having been taken over by Air. James Harrison. I have been given to understand that a most important proposition has been submitted to Mr. Biss re the acceleration of mails from Warkworth to the north. The would-be contractor proposed to start from Warkworth with the northern mail on its arrival here by coach on Friday, meeting the northern mail at Wellsford, and returning to Warkworth in time for the despatch of mail by the coach at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Should this be accepted and carried out, it will be a great boon to the northern mail-carriers, who have hitherto had to wait at Wellsford (luring the whole of Friday.—[Own Correspondent.

KAUKAPAKAPA. The first spring meeting of the Blue Ribbon Order took place in the Wesleyan Church on Thursday evening last. The president, Captain Dawson, occupied the chair. In his opening address he stated the position of the army in this district. Since their last meeting at the beginning of winter, so far as he knew, there had been very few backsliders, and he hoped to see many more names added to their number before the end of the summer. The church was well filled, and the following programme was gone through with spirit :-Glee, Sankey No. 176, by the choir; recitation, by Miss Sarah Stewart. I his was followed by a song from Miss Lewis in her usual happy style ; then came a recitation, " The Burial of Sir John Moore," by Master George Dibble; next was a reading by the president, " The 15 Puzzle," which created freat amusement. Recitation by Miss Annie [utchinson, which was followed by a song, " To-morrow," by Mrs. Fulton, in excellent taste. Then came a recitation, " The Diver, by Miss Ethel Adrews. Among the recitations, this was decidedly the gem of the evening, and was deservedly applauded. the song, "Jock O'Hazeldene," by Miss J. Simcock, was very well sung. Another recitation by Miss Maud Murray, and a reading from the chairman, brought a very pleasant evening to a close. " God Save the Queen was sung by all, and the meeting dispersed. < Rain has been wanted by the farmers very much of late. It has come in those warm gentle showers which maketh the heart of the farmer glad.—[Own Correspondent.]

WAIUKU. Mr. Airey, the Government School Inspector, has just completed the standard examination of the several schools in the district. I believe the examinations have been very fair, a large percentage having passed. We are having fine growing weather here, nice rain having fallen during the week, and more is coming. On Thursday evening last a public meeting in connection with the Band of Hope and Total Abstinence Society took place m the Temperance and Public Hall. The attendance was not large, about seventy being present. Mr. Hodge presided, and the following programme was gone through Opening piece, choir ; address, chairman ; solo and chorus, " No One Cares For Me," Misses Hocken and Messrs. C. T. Barriball and G" Worsley ; reading, "Wreck of the North Fleet," Mr. G. A. Worsley; recitation, "Hon.," Mr. T. McGowan; duet, " Larboard Watch," Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Barriball; reading, " Drunk," Mr. J. J. Deed; recitation, " Rival Fiends," Mr. W. H. Barriball; address, Mr. McElwain; duet and chorus, "There's Work for Each," Misses Hockin and Messrs. C. T. Barriball and G. A. Worsley; address, Mr. Hosking. A closing piece by the choir terminated an enjoyable meeting. On Friday evening last a concert and farce took place in the Temperance and Public Hall. The evening was fine, and about 150 persons were present. The proceeds are to be devoted to the church funds. Mr. L. Barriball was called to the chair, and explained the object of the concert, after which the following programme was very creditably gone through Glee, " See Our Oars," the Glee Club; song, "The Last Chord," Miss Tierney; instrumental duet, Mrs. A. M. Barriball and Mr. James Hepman ; song, " Gathering Shells," Mr. A. M. Barriball; song, " Will o' the Wisp," Mr. Wiley; song, "Jack's Yarn," Mr. Bissct; song, "When Sparrows Build," Miss Curne; song, "Auntie," Miss Bisset; song, "The Gallants of England," Mr. Wiley duet, Very Improper Indeed," Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Barriball; song, " Three Fishers," Miss Bisset; song, " Kate o'Shane " Miss Currie; song, "Man of War's Man, Mr. Bisset: duet, "Pilot Brave," Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Barriball; song, "The Men of Merry England," Mr. Wiley; song, The Way to be Happy," Mrs. A. M. Barriball. There was an intermission of fifteen minutes; after which the farce Area Belle" was performed. Those taking part sustained their characters very creditably, and the piece was well acted. Ihe only fault that was heard was that it was too short. At the conclusion, on the motion of Mr. Manning, the customary votes of thanks were passed by acclamation. The room was soon cleared, and dancing was kept up for a few hours, all having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.— Correspondent, September 29.]

KATIKATI. The new hotel at the Uretara for Mr. B. McDonnell is being rapidly pushed ahead. The weather certainly has been in favour of the contractors, there being scarcely a wet day since they started the job; so it is not to be wondered at that the growth of the building has been rapid. The weather-boarding is now nearly all up, and the roof ready for the corrugated iron. Another month should see the completion of the house, which will be large, commodious, and on one of the best sites in the whole of the district. Mr. W. B. Paton, of the British Government's Emigration Bureau, passed through the settlement last week. His time being limited, he was unable to see much of the district, his short stay only enabling him to visit the farms in the immediate neighbourhood of Mr. Kitten's property, Mr. Paton being the guest of that gentleman for a few hours. The wedding of Mr. W. Tuthill and Miss Anderson is to take place on Thursday next at the Uretara Church, when it is anticipated a large crowd will assemble to witness the ceremony. Both these young people have been resident in this district tor years, where they enjoy a well-earned and doserved popularity, and all unite in wishing them happiness and prosperity in the future. Mrs. Gledstane gave a very enjoyable dance at Mount Stewart on Wednesday, September 11, in honour of her daughter's (Miss Evelyn Gledstane) birthday Supper, floor, and music being everything that could b« desired, the party did not break up till an early hour on Thursday morning, all agreeing that the hostess was a thorough mistress of entertaining her guests, Mr. B. McDonnell, who has been seriously unwell during the last three weeks, has now almost recovered, and may be expected to be seen about again ere long. The Pioneer Store, which has lately been taken over by Mr. Campbell, may possibly pass out of the hands of this gentleman, there being some misunderstanding about the purchase of the premises. It seems the price was not finally agreed upon, though Mr. Campbell thought it was, and now a further sum is demanded by the owners, Messrs. Stone Brothers. The matter, however, will be decided in a few weeks time, when, in the event of Mr. Campbell's leaving, I understand another storekeeper is ready to move into the premises. Strengthened by the addition of five Auckland " cracks" at present in .the district (amongst whom are Messrs. O'Connor and \\ ells), the local football team have once more pitted themselves against Tauranga. The match took place on Saturday, September 21, at Tauranga, and resulted in victory for the home team by nine points to three. This will probably be the last match of the season, which, of course, means that football is over for this year.— Correspondent.]