COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9322, 27 March 1889, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

I FROM our own CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Tuesday. A large flock of sheep, some '2500 in num- ! ber, passed through Hamilton yesterday morning from Napier for the farm of the Messrs. McKinnon, at Rangiriri. Though longer than usual on the road, the sheep were in excellent condition, and as they were mostly ewes and ewe lambs it would seem that the Messrs. McKinnon, like others who really mean to farm their land, are going in tor the breeding of sheep. Mr. Oakes, of the Bank of New Zealand, is, it is satisfactory to state, rapidly regaining strength and recovering from his severe spasmodic attack. The sudden death of Mr. Charles Bealo caused great sorrow here, where his family have lived so long and where he was so well known as one of Hamilton's most promising young men. It was during his visit here that he caught the fever some four or five weeks ago, as did also a little boy, now lying ill at Ponsonby. There are not, however, likely to be any more fatal fever cases in Hamilton. All those suffering are going on favourably, and the present change in the weather is most favourable for their recovery, and calculated to check the spread of the disease.

Otorohanga, Tuesday. Word was received here yesterday evening from Major Mair at Kawhia that the Native Land Court there had concluded its sitting, and would be re-opened at Otorohanga on the 9th April. In the meantime some case in the Takapuna district will be heard. The several survey parties are hard at work in the subdivision of the lands. Some little time ago there was considerable talk here of expected finds of both kinds of precious minerals, but anything like a defined discovery of either gold or silver has not eventuated. In the case of the report of several months ago that galena ore had been found in .siin,, nothing has been determined. A short and desultory search, taken without Government permission, did lead to the discovery of some small nieces of stone exactly similar to those held by Major _ Jackson, but whenever Europeans organised a prospecting party, and obtained a Government permit to prospect, the natives blocked any practical issue by insisting on going shares in the result, and no one cared to take a hapu into partnership. 'flier? is, however a move in the direction of Kawhia, of which I shall have more to say anon. Mr. Black, of the hotel here, is about to retire at the end of the month, having sold out his interest to the other proprietors, Messrs. J. Hettitt and Ormsby. The Waitete contract will be finished in a day or two. Mr. Robertson, as manager for the Messrs. Anderson, has won golden opinions both from the tinder-contractors and bosses, and from the workmen, and they are making arrangements to give him a farewell dinner either on Friday or Tuesday night next.

MAHURANGI.

I have with sincere regret to record that Mr. Samuel Vial, an old Thames miner, was seized with an attack of paralysis a fortnight ago. Mr. Thomson, of the Kawau, for whom he has been working at mining operations, kindly sent to Warkworth for medical aid. Dr. Carolan went to the Kawau, and Mr. Vial was brought to his soil's residence, near Warkworth, in Mr. Thomson's steam yacht for medical treatment, and 1 am glad to state his condition is much improved.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Upper Maluirangi Highway District Board was held at the Board's office. Warkworth, on Wednesday, the 13th. Present: Messrs. Thompson (chairman), King, Moor, Salisbury, and B. H. McKinney. Tenders were opened for contract 58. E. Clements, £5 9s ; J. Trethowen (accepted), £2. It was agreed that a day's work be done on Hawkins' Bridge, also one on the road opposite Captain Krippner's. Mr. Sainsbury was authorised to have two culverts repaired on the Kaipara Flats Road. Extras to the amount of 30s were also authorised to be allowed to Mr. Andrews for extra work on Mr. Oakes' Road. A letter was also received Mr. Oakes re, obstructions on his road. Agreed to have them removed.

On Friday, the 15th, Mr. W. C. McDowell, 8.A., gave an interesting and instructive lecture, or rather, exhibition, in the Masonic Hall, illustrative of what he saw in London during the Jubilee week. There was a good attendance, and the meeting was presided over by the Rev. J. J. Mather, and Mr. McDowell kept his audience well entertained for over an hour and a-half, whilst explaining the various scenes rellected on the sheet, from photographs which he had taken by the instantaneous process. Amongst those shown were Kensington, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey. Piccadilly, Imperial Institute, Houses of Parliament, Thames Embankment, Temple Bar, Guildhall, Smithfield Market, .Mansion House, Bank of England, Royal Exchange, the Mint, Monument, Old Curiosity Shop, the Tower of London, British Museum, various animals in the Zoological Gardens, and various scenes in America, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, as well as some of an amusing character. A hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried by acclamation. The proceeds go to the augmentation of the Wesleyan Circuit Fund.

On Sunday evening, the 17th, the Rev. R. McKinney delivered a lecture in St.Colomba's Church, on the "Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church." The rev. lecturer gave a comprehensive and lucid history of the Confession of Faith from its emanation in Westminster Abbey in 1647, and its adoption by the Presbyterian churches, the points of dilFerence from the 3!) articles of the Anglican Church, &c. The opinions of Dean Stanley ami the Duke of Argyle were largely quoted, and the lecturer concluded by stating his opinion that only two subjects needed revision, viz., those of eternal punishment and election or predestination, both of which subjects needed a great deal of careful deliberation before any definite opinion should be expressed on cither.

BOMBAY.

O.N" Tuesday evening, March 12, Major Hamlin, M.H.R., mot this portion of his constituents in the Public Hall, Bombay. Mr. G. Balmo, chairman of the Road Board, was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced the speaker, who was received with applause. The Major divided his address into two parts: I'irsfc, measures which had been belore the House last session : and, second, measures which would probably come before the House next session. In a clear and concise manner he reviewed the work of last session, and in speaking of tho probable attempt to repeal the nronerty tax, he said lie should certainly vote for the property tax in preference to a lai.d tax. The sneaker was frequently applauded during his address, and at the close invited quest and asked for opinions on different subjects. Several questions were asked and satisfactorily answered, and at the close, on the motion of Mr. Cuthbort, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Major Hamlin for his address, and for the prompt action he took on receiving a telegram from this part of his constituents re the Codlin Moth Bill. The vote was carried with acclamation, Major Hamlin returned thanks, and moved a hearty vote of thanks to tho chairman.

On Saturday, March 9, the return match, Bombay Cricket Club v. Maungatawhiri Cricket Club, was played in Mr. Proude's paddock. The result was a win for the Bombayitea in one innings and one run to spare. The Paparata Road Board has decided to try some of the Australian scrub exterminator on the blackberries growing on the roads, and according to the character given, it ought to make short work of them. I think the East Pukekohe Road Board might have tried a packet of it on the patch of Canadian thistle growing on Macdonald's Hill, which I noticed the other day had been allowed to bloom and ripen, seed being blown all over the country. 1 wondor some of those living near did not cut the blooms off ere they ripened for their own sake.— [Own Correspondent.]

iiokiaNga.

The Native Land Court has been adjourned for a few days. Most of the nativos are away at the Treaty of Waitangi. It lias been reported that £.>OO worth of kai might go to waste at Waitangi unless some of the rangatiras put in an appearance. No one lias ever seen any fragments of kai after a Waitangi meeting. The much-wished-for freshet has not come yet, so the mill is not at work, but ib appears to be near at hand.

Another of our old settlers has passed over to the. great majority. Mr. Alexander Chapman, who came to the district in the year 1828, died at the residence of his daughter (Mrs. George Martin), Pakia, about ."> o'clock a.m. on Saturday, March 9. The deceased gentleman had not been in his usual health for several weeks past, but we did not think his end was so near. Although 84 years of age, his step was still firm, lie will be very much missed at Omapere, where he was known and respected by all. He assisted to build the topsail schooner Elizabeth at Mangamuka many years ago. She was a regular trader to this port for a considerable time afterwards. Mr. Chapman was identified with this district for sixty years, and much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Martin and family in their bereavement. General satisfaction has been expressed by the travelling public with the arrangements of the Northern Steamship Company. People can travel to and from Onehunga nowadays with some kind of comfort since the Glenelg has been put on the line. The s.s. Fin pa I is proving herself a most useful boat. She makes weekly trips from Horcke

to the Heads and back, carrying passengers and mails. She remains one night at Pakia in each week.

'I lie manner in which our local mails are worked now reflects great credit on the Postal Department. The various postmasters deliver the mails to the public as soon as they arrive, no matter how late the hour; and I noticed on a recent visit to Rawene that Mr. Millar, postmaster, had povided a lamp outside the office door to enable the public to get from the road to the office door. Many blessings have been called down upon his head for the light he has shed abroad.

A local club, calling themselves " The Wanderers," on pleasure bent, invited the most of the residents to a ball and supper, which took place at the Rawene Public Hall on Friday evening, March 8. The whole affair was a brilliant success. The merry dance was kept going " till daylight did appear," when "The Wanderers," to the number of twenty-four, proceeded on board the s.s. Fingal, and steamed for Te Tio, a point on the Mangamuka River, where they lunched and rested for a few hours in the morning, and in the afternoon again took the steamer and went to see the beauties of the famous Mangamuka Gorge. Passing through the gorge, they steamed about one and a-half miles higher up the river to the residence of Mr. W. B. Jackson, where they were entertained by Mrs. and Miss Jackson. The pleasure party returned by the steamer to Horekc, whero they camped for the night. On the following morning (Sunday) the steamer conveyed The Wanderers" to their homes—some to Taheke, some to Rawene, and others to the Heads. Great credit is due to the indefatigable secretary, Mr. W. Satchell, of Waima, who perfected all the arrangements.