COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9243, 21 December 1888, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[prom our own correspondents.] Hamilton, Thursday. The adjourned meeting of the Borough Council waa held last night, Mr. Knox presiding in the absence of the Mayor. Messrs. Missen, Tippen, Wood, Salmon, Jones, and Von Stunner were also present. The clerk read the list of endowment rates, showing that the annual value was £92. The following report in reference to the provisions of the proposed Public Works Amendment Act, as far as it refers to the furze and briars nuisance, was brought up and adopted, and the clerk was instructed to forward it to the Minister of Public Works :— " Your committee have the following report to make in re the proposed Public Works Act amendment. They would suggest, with reference to the clauses bearing on the furze, briar and bramble nuisance, that the words ' grubbing up' be retained in the provisions made for clearing gorse, briars, and brambles on the sides of public roads, as simply to cut down and remove the same without grubbing lip the roots would not eradicate the plants, and would necessitate the going through the same process every third year. They object to clause 10, whereby the provisions of [compulosory destruction of furze, briars, and brambles, other than honafi.de. hedges, can be exercised by local bodies, for three reasons : —1. That it would be an unwarrantable interference with the rights of property. 2. That it would be a useless harassment of landowners or occupiers, inasmuch as the nuisance would spread not from the interior area of the land, but from the outer hedges, which the Act would still permit to exist, and also because, if the local bodies had to incur the cost of clearing furze, briars, and brambles on the lands of absentees, or on those of owners and occupiers neglecting to do so after legal notice, they are not in a position to lie out of the necessary capital to make any material headway in enforcing the Act. 3. Because the Act is made to refer neither to the lands of the Crown nor to those of the natives ; and we would further suggest that the lands of the Crown and those of natives be brought under the operation of section 15 of the Public Works Act, 1882, Amendment Act, 1884, and that the owners of land where tho furze spreads from their land to adjacent lands of other owners be compelled to abate the nuisance, the same as in the case of its spreading on to adjacent roads." A motion by Mr. Wood, " That all goods purchased by authority of the Council or town clerk for the use of the borough, or prices of such goods, materials, tools, or any other class of merchandise, be produced in the form of a bill of costs from the persons from whom such purchases are made, for the purpose of the inspection of the Council at each meeting of the Council," and seconded by Air. Salmon, was withdrawn by consent. Mr. Knox gave notice of motion for next sittincr day, "That the resolution appointing Mr. I). Lees, poundkeeper, ranger, and dog registrar, be rescinded, and that fresh applications be called for the office of poundkeeper ; and that after the Ist of January next, lurchers and greyhounds be charged a fee of £1 each, instead of, as now, 55." A very interesting exhibition of the skill and improvement of the children during the past twelve months attending the higher and lower schools ol St. Mary's Convent, Hamilton, was given yesterday in presence of a large number of the parents and friends of the pupils, speaking most favourably for the care and attention of the sisters in their arduous duties.

Taupiri, Thursday. The large engine from the Waotu Company's bush, which has been purchased by Mr. T. G. Mellars for his new bush at Hopohopo, arrived here safely on Wednesday, avoiding the rotten bridges between Hamilton and Ngaruawahia by travelling down the east side of the river. At the Taupiri bridge it had a narrow escape, causing the bridge to settle down several inches.

Cambridge, Thursday. A match between the combined cricket clubs of Hamilton and Tuhikaramea with the Tuakau Club will be played on Sydney Square, at Hamilton, on Thursday, 27th inst. It is to be regretted that this match will clash with that proposed to be played at Cambridge on the same day, namely, Waikato v. Auckland ; but it is only fair to state that the first-mentioned event was arranged fully a month previously to the match at Cambridge. A full muster of the public is looked for at the Hautapu races on Boxing Day. The special train from Auckland and intermediate stations will land passengers close to the ground, bringing excursionists from Auckland and back at 7s and 10s 6d per head, second and first-class respectively. Alexandra, Thursday. The Native Land Court re-opens at Kawhia on the 24th proximo. After settling the disputed boundary-line between the Ngatihikairo and Ngatimaniapoto tribes and the subdivision of the Awaroa and Kawhia blocks, it will resume again at Otorohanga for the subdivision of Potaerongi block. The following cricket team will represent our local club on .Saturday in the match v. Mangapiko : —Aubin (2), Bavliss, Chappell, Carter, Hill, Hearne, Richdale, A. Smith, Steele, and Tisdal.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Thursday. A serious accident befel Mr. Chas. Tippin to-day. He slipped and fell, severely lacerating the external lateral ligaments of the ankle. Some friends at once drove him out to the Hospital, where his injuries were attended to by Dr. Kenny, and he was then driven to his residence.

Both Mr. McNicol and Mr. VV. J. Hunter held a horse and cattle sale at the Public Yards here to-day. There was a good attendance, and all classes of stock were sold at good prices. Major Jackson, M.H.R. for Waipa, was here to-day and was heartily received by his many friends and supporters. Russell, Thursday. A concert was given in the Public Hall by the children of the Russell School, to raise funds to provide material for games. There was a very large audience, and the performance was a great credit to the children. Since Mr. Hill took charge of the school here the attendance has largely increased, and the children are getting on well under his guidance.

TUAKAU. On the evening of the 14th instant a very successful concert in connection with the Christmas break-up was given in the Tuakau schoolroom. It was one of the best that was ever seen in our district school, and the singing of the action-songs was particularly good. The following was the programme :—Soncf' "Skaters," by all the pupils; prologue, "A Word for Boys" Walter Poland; song " Stay on the Farm," three boys • soiil'' " Woodman, Spare That Tree," Miss Revell • recitation, M. Booker; song, " Tit for Tat " Miss Owen; musical seloction.Teresa Poland" • son?, " Kiss for a Blow," eight infants ; dialogue and speeches, ten pupils ; "Vacation " song, by the girls ; recitation, Daisy Booker • song, " Robin," four pupils; duet, " Evening Bells,' Misses Revell and Owen; action song by infants; song, "The Danube River" Miss Owen; epilogue, spoken by Walter Poland; round, " Good Night," bv all the pupils. Mr. O'Donoghue stated that the audience should not attribute any credit for the concert to himself, as he had had too much to do for some tiifle past in reference to other matters, and that the excellent entertainment they had witnessed was the work of Miss Owen, assisted by Miss Revell Mr. Poland expressed his great satisfaction with the singing and performance of the pupils, and thought that too much credit could not be given to Miss Owen for the care she must have devoted to the pupils, judging from what he had seen that evening. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Miss Owen ; and, after some cheering for the approaching holidays, the meeting dispersed. The new creamery at Whangarata—the second in the district—opens to-morrow. Evidently milk is up or going up. The fruit trees are looking well, and a plentiful crop is expected. This district—Tuakau and Harrisville has sent six candidates to the competition now going on for the scholarships offered by the Board of Education. Of these- three are competitors for the senior scholarships — [Own Correspondent, December 18.]

BOMBAY. On Sunday, December 16. the anniversary services were preached in the Wesleyan Church by the Rev. Mr. Salter, to very good congregations, especially in the evening the church being crowded. On Tuesday evening following the annual soiree was held tea being served in the Public Hall. There was a bountiful supply of the good things usually prepared for such occasions, the tables being given by Messrs.' Lindsay, D. B. Allison Gub. Sawyer, and the bachelors, and presided over by Mrs. Lindsay and Miss Jessun Misses Allison and H. Allison, Misses M Buttimore and Lizzie Cornthwaite, and Misses Carter and Lucy Carter. After tea an adjournment was made to the churcb for the after meeting. The church had been nicely decorated with ferns, nikaus, and flowers. The Rev. Mr. Law presided. The meeting opened with a hymn, and prayer bv the Rev. Mr. Salter. The choir then gave " Christ Receiveth Sinful Men." The rev.' chairman then gave a capital address Solo' with chorus, ,r Tell it Out," by Mr Gus' Sawyer. The church steward, Mr. Alh'sonj then read the financial report, which on the whole was considered satisfactory. Duet with chorus, "There's a Work for Each " by Misses Sawyer and Gillon. A cheerful and happy address was then given by Mr Keith followed by the choir with " Hallelujah for the Cross. A good and practical addres n was then given by the Rev. Mr. Salte- I Choir, " Turning ou the Wheels of Tim i

Mr. Johnson Moore, in a neat little speech moved a hearty vote of thanks to thVtS , voders of the tables, and to the ladies who £ ably presided over them, which was carried by acclamation. The choir then pave "TU Grace are Ye Saved." Mr. J. Allen wit£ his usual ability moved a hearty vote of thanks to the choir and the organist M° Cornthwaite. He was pleased to eee'thrt their Anglican fnenda were always so rea f« ana willing to render assistance on such an occasion as the present. Mr. Usher seconded the motion, which was also carried by acH* mation. Votes of thanks to the speakers am? the chairman followed. The choi then SJ Good Night" a very pretty hymn from "Anniversary Gems." The Benediction pro nounced by the chairman, brought a 'ml happy gathering to a close. Tea was aaai? provided for those from a distance. li r McKinlay was prevented from filline "h;4 usual position i.e., wielding the baton through the indisposition of Mrs. McKinlav —[Own Correspondent, December 19 ] y *