COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9182, 11 October 1888, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from our own correspondents.] Hamilton, Wednesday. At the monthly meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council last night—present, the Mayor and Messrs. Knox, Tippin, Missen, Woods, Bell, Von Sturmer, .Jones, and Frear—an application to transfer Lot 372 to Mr. Lare, made by Mr. Metcalfe, was granted. A letter was read from Thomas v incent, asking that the nuisance arising from the drain running through his property be abated, threatening legal proceedings if the work is not done. A motion was proposed by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Knox, that the best legal opinion be taken on the liability of the Borough. An amendment was moved by Mr. Woods, seconded by Mr. Frear, that no further legal advice be taken. The amendment was lost and the motion earned. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Tippin, Jones, Knox, Von Sturmer, and the Mayor, was appointed to consult with Mr. O'Neill, with a view to hio preparing a statement, and obtaining counsel's opinion on the Borough's liability in the matter of Vincent's drain. It was resolved to repair the Cemetery Road, near Merliss'. The appointment of committees was then proceeded with. The whole Council was appointed a Works Committee, five to form a quorum. Messrs. Knox, Jones, Tippin, and the Mayor were appointed a Finance Committee, and Messrs. Von Sturmer and Tippin were appointed a Legal Committee. The old Baths Committee was re-appointed. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Knox, Jones, and. Von Sturmer, was appointed to bring up a report as to the most suitable ornament for presentation to the Mayoress, in commemoration of the birth of a son during her husband's mayoralty. The cost of the borough valuation was fixed at £10, and applications are to be called for. Mr. Tippin's name was added to the Library Committee. Cambridge, Wednesday. At the Wesleyan Circuit meeting, referred to in yesterday's letter, the statement was omitted that for the quarter ended the expenditure and income nearly balanced — a few shillings being on the debit side.

OiiAuro, Wednesday. The question of carriage of fat cattle to Auckland by railway, and the injuries! received in transit, cropped up incidentally at yesterday's meeting of farmers, held here for the purpose of forming a, Waikato Farmers' Association. It is, however, bub justice to the Railway Department. to say that the alterations promised by Ministers at Ohaupo havo been attended to, and that doors to the cattle trucks have been made in the end instead of the middle of the side, and thai some padding has been done. The mischief now takes place through the cattle being sent by ordinary passenger and goods train, and is caused by the continual shunting. The remedy to a*very great extent, if not altogether, rests with the Auckland auctioneers. If they would arrange to sell on the same day and in the one yard, as at Hamilton, the railway people would doubtless put a special cattle train on from Waikato on the one day of the week. Kihikihi, Wednesday. The annual meeting of the shareholders of: the Kihikihi Public Hall lapsed for want of a quorum. There is some talk of the hall being sold, as some £40 of interest on the mortgage of £'200 remains unpaid. An effort should be made to put the affairs of this institution on a more satisfactory basis, as the hall is a matter of considerable public convenience.

The annual Foresters' ball will be held on Friday evening- next. A large number of invitations have been issued.

If farmers all over the colony are entering upon the work of cultivating and cropping tneir farms with the same vigour that animates our settlers this season, the depression, which hangs over the colony will soon be removed. What is wanted is increased production, and just in proportion as this is increased shall we feel the reaction from si venation to briskness of trade and general prosperity. Last year's cropping in this district was a great advance on that of 1886-87, but that of the present season is being nearlydoubled on that of last year. Oats, wheat, and potatoes are being largely planted. Between Te Awamutu and Orakau, along the river line, fully 600 acres of wheat have been sown, and the planting of other crops is being vigorously pushed forward. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Cambridge, Wednesday. A meeting of the Borough Council was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. Halley (Mayor), Bond, Bach, Clements, J. R. 8. Richardson. Gillett, Webber, Young, ancl Priestly. Works, Finance, and Legal Committees were appointed. It was resolved to endeavour to get the Bank to reduce the rate of interest, also to call for fresh tenders for gravelling. The condition of the footpaths in the town was considered and it was decided to have them attended to. The overdraft of the Council when accounts are paid is ±'651. Several works were recommended, and accounts passed, which concluded the business.

The damage done at Moisley's fire is greatly in excess of insurances, the house being insured only for £150 in the Royal, while there was no insurance on the furniture. Moisley's loss, therefore, is considerable. The fire evidently originated by a tea-tree stick falling from the fireplace to the floor, Mrs. Moisley being out on an errand, while her husband had not left his shop in Victoriastreet.

Thomas Wells is the successful tenderer for Messrs. Houghton's stock.

Paeroa, Wednesday. Another cattle-stealing case is reported at Ohinemuri.