COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9378, 30 May 1889, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OUTt OWN COBP.K3PONDENTS.]

Hamilton, Wednesday. Ykstebday Mr. Wilfrid von Stunner, tho winner of the half-mile championship at the amateur swimming races held in Auckland on the 30th March last, received from the secretary, Mr. St. Clair, the championship gold medal, and also the silver medal won by him in the Citizens' Handicap Race. The medals, which arc alike in design, bear on the face a representation of a swimming race in the harbour, with Rangitoto in the hackground, and on the reverse the winner's name and that of the event for which the prize is given, on a shield supported by dolphins. The medals are elegant in both design and workmanship, and are now on exhibition in Mr. Howden's window, in Victoria-street, Hamilton.

The usual monthly meeting of the Domain Board was held last night. A bare quorum was present, Messrs. Salmon, Bell, and Von Stunner, the latter being moved to the chair, in the absence of the Acting Mayor at Auckland. The accounts were passed, and some small matters of business transacted. On the question of fixing the new town clerk's salary as secretary to the Domain Board being brought up, the chairman moved that as so few were present, the meeting be adjourned until the evening 'of the 11th June, when the Borough Council meets to appoint a clerk, so that the salary for the Domain Board could be fixed prior to the appointment taking place. A meeting of the Council to receive the half-yearly balance-sheet of the borough was also adjourned in consequence of a quorum not being present and the books not having yet been returned from the audit office.

The twelve cases of apples sent by Mr. George Edgecumbe to test the Melbourne market have been sold, fund netted Is 8d per ease after all expenses. The returns have not yet been received of the same number of cases sent to Sydney. OHAOi'O, Wednesday. Mr. Roger», who, with his family, has so successfully worked the farm of Mr. Knox on tho Ohaupo-Hamilton Road, has rented Mr. Bell's farm at the Narrows, some GOO acres, adjoining the _ farm of Mr. Samuel Steele. The rent, which is not a money one, lias beeu fixed on a _ system which it would be well were it more generally practisod, namely, of so many bushels of wheat per annum. Whether the price of wheat be high or low the tenant will pay in proportion to his means and the landlord receive according to the value his land has produced. Mr. Rogers' farm upon the hills has long been recognised as the model farm of the district, showing what, by industry and attention to business, can be done under the burden of a heavy money rent; but now that Mr. Rogers' attention will be turned to the cultivation of the flat and rich land at the Narrows, travellers along the main county road will have an opportunity of seoing what Waikato land is capable of doing. Kihikihi, Wednesday. The natives at the Parawera settlement, a new settlement of the Ngatihauas. a short distance within the boundary of the King Country, have recently taken up their potato crop, some sixty acres in extent, and have an excellent return. They have also threshed out some 3000 bushels of wheat, an excellent crop, and their oats, about forty acres, were also a first-class crop. What makes the matter more noticeable, though it is of itself satisfactory to chronicle the industry of the natives, is that no manure whatever was used for any of those crops, thus giving evidence of what the better class of lands beyond the Puniu are capable of producing.

* ; Tamahebe, Wednesday. Our district, and Waikato generally, baa sustained a loss in the departure for Auckland of one of its foremost settlers, Mr. R. Salmon. Mr. Salmon- and his family take with them the hearty good wishes of their fellow-settlers. MorkixsviU/K, Wednesday. Many landowners regret now it is too late that they have expended considerable Bums of money in destroying hundreds and thousands of acres of flax, which till recently was considered a weed to be got rid of, but is now worth many times the fee simple of tho land on which it grows. That the attention given to New Zealand flax will lead to its use for many purposes and consequent increased consumption is very generally believed. Phormium tenax should therefore take its place amongst New Zealand crops. It may be grown from the seed, but it will grow more quickly and freely from portions of the root. 'he writer has seen pieces of flax root built into a turf wall cut across a flax swamp that in le3S than two years had grown six and eight feet high. A partly drained swamp ia the beat locality for planting; and if 500 acres of flax land, as is asserted, will, if judiciously cut, keep a large flax mill continuously going, the first portion being ready to cut again before the whole ie finished, the flax industry may be made a permanent as well as a profitable one. With the demand arising for green flax, suitable land upon a river or railway could scarcely be put to a more profitable purpose than flaxgrowing.

PUKEKOHE WEST. Some time ago, as I have previously mentioned through your columns, a committeo of ladies was appointed to carry out the preliminaries for holding a bazaar, the proceeds of which were to go towards purchasing instruments for a band to be formed here in connection with the South Franklin Mounted Infantry. Mrs. Major Harris, Miss Chadwick, Miss Pearman, and several other ladies worked industriously for some time back, the result of which was a bazaar held here on Wednesday and Thursday, 15th and 16th instant, in tire Masonic Hall, which proved very successful. On the first day a sum of £10 was taken, which was pretty good considering the weather, which was anything but favourable. On the Thursday the bazaar was opened at about two o'clock p.m.. Is being charged for admission. This shilling admission enabled those present, who wished to avail themselves of the opportunity, to attend the concert and dance in the evening. The sum taken on the second day, with subscriptions handed in, amounted to £40, which was considered highly satisfactory, leaving some £24 worth of goods in hand to be disposed of on some future occasion. The ladies as a whole who superintended the stalls (which were very tastefully laid out) worked to their utmost to dispose of the various articles for sale. In the evening Beats were arranged for the concert, which was carried out under the management of Airs. Harris and Miss E. Chadwick. The hall was crowded, and the following wellarranged programme was very ably carried out: — Glee, " Here's a Health to All Good Lasses ;" song, " Harbour Lights," Mr. Mackay ; song, "Belle Mahone's Reply," Miss Hyland; song, " Little Hero." Mr. Wright ; duet, " Gipsy Countess,' Mrs. Chadwick and Mr. Williams; song, "Pierrot," Mrs. Bispham. Interval of half-an-hour. to allow the fair saleswomen to dispose of their wares. Second part:—Trio, "St. Michael's Tower," Mr., Mrs., and Miss Chadwick ; song, ' Powder Monkey," Mr. Bilkey; song, " Scotch Lassie Jean," Mr. Gooch ; duet, "Flowers," Mrs. Pilgrim and Miss Harris; recitation, "Irishman's Trip to Naples," Mr. Fred. Morrow comic song, " What a Blessing," Mr. H. Harris. The singing of the National Anthem and the usual votes of thanks brought a highly successful concert to a close. The hall was then cleared for dancing, and soon a goodly number were tripping the light fantastic to good music, supplied by a pianoforte, &c., the arrangements being carried out by Mr. R. Bilkey, M.C., who gave general satisfaction.

HOKIANGA. The Very Rev. Dr. McDonald, Wikario Henerari, V.G., has just arrived here from a visitation to the Maori districts north of Auckland, where he has been most affection- | ately and euthnsiastically received by the people, Maoris and Europeans. He began his tour this year in Lower Waihau, at the mouth of Hokianga River, and proceeded thence to Whakarapa. Matihetiehe, where the Maoris lately held an immense gathering for religious purposes, was the next halt. Here the Very Rev. Dr. celebrated _ Mass, and prepared his very large congregation for the worthy reception of the sacrament. A great many received Holy Communion, and two marriages were celebrated by him, for which great preparations were made, and a large number of guests invited. Thence he proceeded along the barren reach of coast and over the precipitous bluff to Whaugape, where a numerous concourse of Maoris gave him a warm reception. Here the doctor remained some time instructing by his teaching and pious example his large congregation. This place was the scene of a most interesting ceremony and feast. All the people received Holy Communion at the several Masses. There were four marriages here, in celebration of which one immense feast was held. The bride par excellence was Hoaua Manuera, the daughter of Manuera, a chief of the Natikuri tribe, and the happy swain, Tomati Waipouri, a nephew of Mr. R. Cochrane, of Rawene. Another happy couple were Akato Matieu and Hoani MahL I could not catch the names of the others ; but, to judge by their -countenances, they were as happy, if not more so, than the former. There could not have been less than seven or eight hundred people, Maoris and Europeans, at this gathering. The supply of food, etc, was all that could be desired. Those large gatherings, under the auspices of the Very Rev. Dr., are conducted in a similar manner to those of his universally esteemed and zealous ' brother, the Right Rev. Monsignor Walter i McDonald. They are brimful of hilarity, ! and contribute much to augment good feeling i and brotherly love amongst those brought I together at thorn.

He also visited the districts of Mangonni and Whangaroa, where he said Mass and gave Holy Communion to the people. In the Kaipara district he visited the Maori settlements of Opunake, Ngakiriprouri, Waiwhatawhata, and other places, where he spent some time in teaching the people, saying Mass, and giving Holy Communion. I was glad to see the long spell of fine weather favouring the good doctor, who, it appears to me, must be storm proof, as nothing in the shape of weather, heat, cold, or wet, can turn him from his road. He is full of healtt and vigour, and must have been specially da signed to meet the hardships inseparable from the Maori mission. \

He also visited the river districts of Hokianga, viz., Pakea, Whirinaki, Waima, Upper Waihou, Mangamuka, Big Barrier, Kohukohu, Motukaraka, and tierakau, in all of which places he said Mass and administered tho sacraments to the people. This year Dr. McDonald had his Easter Sunday at Lower Waihou. The people from the various districts assembled there for their paschal duties, and received the Holy Communion. The doctor preached in Maori at Mass and Vespers on the gospel of the day. His discourse, which was a very eloquent one, was listened to with very marked attention by the congregation, which was unusually large. The numerous visitors wore hospitably entertained by the good Maoris of Waihou.— [A Correspondent.]

MANGO NUI.

A very interesting social was held at Prosser's Hall on May 13, given by members of the skating rink. About 50 people were present. Our friend, Mr. Horsley, acted as M.C.; pianists, Mrs. Horsley and Miss Prossor; violin, Mr. Marbrook. Dancing was kept up with vigour until nearly four o'clock a.m. The hall was prettily decorated with flags. Great praise is due to the ladies and gentlemen who so kindly provided for the evening's enjoyment, and we hope it will not be long before wo have a repetition of th.at pleasant evening. It would be somewhat difficult to name the belle among so many of the fair sex, but for neat appearance and good dancing the honour rests between the Misses Littleproud and Miss McLcod.

We hear with regret that our postmaster, Mr. R. Johnson, is about to leave us on account of ill health. He has been here for a long time, and has always been very obliging, and is well liked by the community. We trust the change he is about to make will prove beneficial to his health.—[A Correspondent.!