COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9320, 25 March 1889, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

TAIRUA. ' The sawmills here are again stopped, thfg time for want of orders for timber. 'Hey have been working spasmodically for the last two months. I understand that the manager has instructions to rim the mills only to supply orders. As a necessary consequence several of the leading workmen are seeking fresh fields and pastures ne-w, one week's work out of a month at the present low rate of wages not being sufficient to keep a man in Tairua, where famine prices foe provisions rule. The schooner Dunedin is expected shortly to load timber for the South. Mr. Fidler, 8.A., examined the district) school here on the 26th ult. He expressed himself satisfied with the result. The percentage of passes was 80 per cent, of "tho Bchool,a highly creditable result, on which-tho head teacher Mr. H. B. Wilson, and his assistant, Mrs. Gubbins,- are to be congratulated. Prizes are to be presented to the head boy and girl of each standard. The following is a list of prize-winners : —Standard VI., Stewart Joyce (who is also the dux of the school): Standard V., Willie Joyce-; Standard IV., Isabel Douglas and Mildred Eastgate; Standard 111., boys, G. Meadly and Albert Howell, equal; girls, Florence Burt Ist, Ethel Howell 2nd ; Standard 11., boys, Leonard Joyce Ist, Thomas Thomson 2nd; girls, Annie Joyce Ist; Standard 1., boys, Willie Eastgate and James Hendry, i Ist; girls, Flora Thomson, Ist. Good attendance prizes: Albert Howell, Ethel Howoll, Annie Meadly, and Harry Meadly._ In connection with the prizes, a concert, in which the school children take part, is to come off in a month, which should be well attended, considering the object.[—Own Cor-, respondent.] TE ARAL On Friday, the Bth inst., Mr. McDowell showed his limelight views to a fair atton-i danco. The exhibition was very good. Tho proceeds were handed over to the cost o? painting the church. The Rev. F. Jones accompanied the exhibitor, and took tho chair. Mr. Selby also assisted. At the cloaa a vote of thanks was passed to all those gentlemen in a most cordial manner.—[Owa Correspondent.] A KAUHAPAKAPA. An entertainment under the auspices of the Blue Ribbon Army took place in the Wesleyan Church on Monday evening, the 18th instant. There was a good attendance. Captain Dawson, president, presided. The secretary, Mr. Davis Simcock, was not present, and ne had not forwarded the programme for the evening. This caused some delay at the commencement, but was soon rectified, and though not so lengthy as usual _ a very pleasant evening was spent, consisting of songs, readings, and recitations. Mr. Dawson said he hoped to be able to hald their next entertainment in tlie new hall. Hβ thought that in future all such meetings should be held in the hall, lea-ving tho church as much as possible for church purposes only. The new hall, which is now a conspicuous object in the district, is progressing slowly, and to all appearance will not be ready to open for five or six weeks yet. There is some talk of getting up amateur entertainments for tho coming winter, and likewise a course o£ lectures. It is to be hoped that these good intentions will not be forgotten. No doubt; rinking will be one of the amusements iu Kaukapakapa next winter. One thing should be seen to by the shareholders without delay, and that is procuring a piano for the hall. Hitherto it lias been the practice either to borrow or hire one for entertainments. This is very inconvenient and unsatisfactory, and I think if an effort were made an instrument might be placed in the hall on the opening night. What is to prevent the, old hall sold, and the proceeds applied to that purpose? The railway is now almost finished. Tho shelter shed is up, and the ether fixings aro in a forward state. Everyone I meet expresses great disappointment at the station; accommodation provided for this place, anil no wonder, as it is of the most meagre ancl miserable kind. Ml , . Mitchelson has been communicated with on the subject, and it isi hoped he will see his way to recommend that the modest request of the settlers be givea effect to. In speaking with Mr. Mitchelsori a week or two ago he gave me to understand that the train \yould run as soon as the railway was finished. That will not be lonj; now, and wo are all very anxious to knov> what number-of trains we are to have, and the time they arc to arrive and depart. 3C think one or two should be to confer either personally or by letter with the. Comrrrisaianei-s-on the sabject. . , yPUKEKARORO. At a meeting of ratepayers held at Hakaru on Friday, March 8, to consider the advisability or othervn.se of enforcing the dog tax in the riding of Kaiwaka, Mr. J. Bowmar presided. It was unanimously resolved, " That no dog tax be levied in the above riding." At a sitting of the licensing commissioners ou Friday. March S, a letter was received from Mr. J. Garland, asking that a transfer; of license from him to Mr. Bishop for tho Mangawai Hotel might be granted. The chairman was of opiiiion that Mr. Garland should have put in liis license when making the application. Mr. Bishop was understood to say that during the time he had had the hotel he had never seen the license, which probably was stowed away in some inaccessible quarter. Police-constable Abrams said that a license should be accessible to any justice of the peace, constable, or, in point o'f fact, to any person wishing to see it. The commissioners decided to grant a temporary license to Mr. Bishop, who promised to execute certain much needed repairs to tho promises. Mr. Sharp (Mangawai vineyard) applied for a license to sell grape wine. Tho commissioners informed Mr. Sharp tliab the law allowed him to sell, though in quantities of not loss than two gallons.—{Own Correspondent.] WAIPU. Ox Friday evening, the loth instant, a vocal 1 and instrumental concert eventuated in tha library, which was an unqualified success. The house was fairly crammed with an ap- ' preciative audience, neighbouring districts 1 being well represented. The entertainmenb was under the auspices of tho library committee, and was in aid of that institution. A choice programme was got through with credit to the actors and to the enjoyment of ' the audience, which they demonstrated by their hearty applause. Mr. D. M. McLeod deserves the thanks of the library committee for organising such a grand evening's enter- > tainment, and also friends from Mangapai and 1 Whangfirei for aiding by their professional skill in rendering the concec£ such a marked success. Mr. Lawrence as violinist, and Mr. • Albon as vocalist, deserve special mention in ■ contributing greatly to the harmony of music in their respective parts. Miss Bella Wilson presided at the pianoforte, playing the accompaniments to the various singers. The following is the programme :— Piano-overture, • Misses B. Wilson aud C. McLean ; a glee by the company, " Hark, the Lark ;" song, " The » Lighthouse by the Sea," by Mr. Albon, which was sweetly sung, and he had to respond to "• an encore; song, Miss McNeill; sailor's hornpipe, Mr. Hughes, who had to respond; instrumental duet (violin and piano), Mr. • Lawrence and Miss Wilson; song (comic), " You Get_ More Like Your Dad, by Mr. Hearn, which was greeted with applause; song, " The Anchor's Weighed," oy Mr. ( Carter, waa nicely rendered: duet, " Until We Meet Again," by Misses Wilson and Mc- | Lean; song (comic), by Mr. Hofcham; song, i "Our Last Walk," by Miss C. McLeau . (Bridge-), which was a gem of itself; song, The Last Sweet Words of Mother," by Mr. Albon, which was warmly applauded; instrumental duet (piano and violin), by Misses B. Wilson and C. McLean; song, " The White Squaw/' by Mr. D. M. Mc- ' Leod, was received with repeated applause; glee, " Hail! Smiling Morn," by the comEany; a comic sketch, by Messrs. Hearn and [ughes, was very well executed, and brought this part of the evening's entertainment to a , close. The hall was cleared, and dancing '' was carried on till a late hour, or, more properly speaking, an early hour in the morning., The ladies were, without exception, tastej fully dressed ; and looked very nice, but the enviable position of belle among so many beauties was carried by Miss Bella Wilson. School Inspector Airey has been iu the dig* trict during the past week, putting the schools through their standard examinations. On Monday Mr. Airey was in the and on Thursday in the Upper school. These two schools have made good progress daring the year. The above schools had 80 and 83 per cent, progress respectively, Miss Haiis tin, assistant teacher at the Central sehoolj has been removed to Auckland, and left on Thursday. Previous to her departure, and when bidding farewell to her pupils, thejr presented her with with a neat Church of , England service, enclosed in a leather case, as a small token of their esteem for their teacher. The presentation was made by Miss Flora McGregor on behalf of the other pupils. Miss Hamlin feelingly acknowledged the gift. Miss Jessie Fraseryof the Cave school, takes the position of assistant in the Central school, vacated by Miss Hamlin. In musical circles Miss Hamlin. will be missed, for she was gifted with a> sweet voice, [and always was ready to contribute to our social enjoyment. She has many friends here, and left a very favourable' impression beUjnd, r-{Qjp* Correspondent,! J March, 18.] " •• ■-