COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9450, 22 August 1889, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Wednesday. No hospital was ever more popular than that of Waikato, as evidenced by the number and amount of voluntary subscriptions contributed to its fuuds. To-day a subscription of £1 was reoeived by the treasurer from Mr. Jackman, of Taupiri. The entertainment in aid of St. Peter's Sunday-school, which took place last night, was a great success, much of which was owing to the energy outside and the performances within of 'Mr. Stevens. A varied programme was gone through with credit to the performers, and the total receipts totted up to the respectable sum of £9. Mr. Pearson, carbolic soap manufacturer, of Hamilton, has received a. letter from the Railway Department to-day st«bfeinp that the Commissioners have considered his request to have the freight for his soap from Hamilton to Auckland lowered from 32s lOd to 10s per ton, but cannot see tbeir way to grant it. They state that if Mr. Pearson will manufacture in Auckland they will carry the sand he requires from Hamilton to Auckland for 5s per ton. Mr. Pearson removes his factory to Sydney. So much for differential rating. Huktly, Wednesday. A nasty accident happened to-day to a miner named Broklesbank, working in Collins' mine ; a small splinter of coal from the pick finding its way into his left eve. As nothing could be done for him here, Broklesbank went up by train to the Hospital at Hamilton to be operated npon by Dr. Kenny. Cambridge, Wednesday. Crissy Brennan is bearing up cheerfully under her severe injuries. The little yirl is an only daughter, aud much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Brennan. The Sal ration Amy held' a special service last night, the occasion being the presentation of the colours, and the formation of Cambridge into a separate district. Although a charge was made for admission to the hall, the building was nevertheless packed, many being turned away.

WHANGAREI. A new kind of entertainment was given in the Public Hall on Wednesday, the 7th inst., for the benefit of All Saints' Church, Kxwno. The main features in the programme were the tableaux vivants, which, given in English, meaus " lively scenes." These scenes wore acted in dumb show by various lady and gentlemen amateurs, who playod their parts very creditably. To intensify the effect, the audience were thrown in darkness, and the actors were illuminated with coloured lights during each scene. The ball proved again to be too small for the audience and it is evidently high time that the Volunteer Hall was fitted up with seats. The latter, building would seat about six hundred,' whereas the Town Hall only holds about three hundred. _ During the intervals songs were sung and instrumental pieces given in a manner highly creditable to the place. We are now having another north-easter with a deluge of rain. This makes the eighth north-easter this winter. The ground has been so saturated with wet that nothing will grow. The-grass is therefore very short, and this season is likely to teach us a severe lesson before it is over.—[Own Correspondent, August 10.]

PAR [J A BAY. It has been raining almost continually since my last, but the weather seems to be taking up a little the last day or so ; in fact, it has been regular summer weather. So far this winter has been the worst for some years for wind and rains, but still it is anything but cold. A short time since a skating rink was opened in the Heads Hall, and so far I learn it is fairly successful. Those who have been so fortunate this winter as net to have had any sickness need not be disappointed, for they am attend the rink, and 1 warrant the next day or so they will not feel exactly right, more especially if they know nothing of skating. The Highway Board meet to-day to strike a rate of a half penny in the pound, and to consider tenders. Mr. George Ross called a meeting of all persons wishing to form a dramatic class on the 20th ult, but as there was no attendance, he decided to try to get a meeting at the accommodation house, but with what result lam not aware. It will be a lack of energy if this source of amusement isullowed to fall through. However, one thing can be said, that Mr. Ross has lacked nothing to try and get it under wav. The Parua Heads Road is in a rather dangerous condition. In some parts a horse goes almost up to the girth. lam informed that the County Council intend letting this road out by tender to be kept in repair for the whole year. Settlers are now busy preparing land for crops. The season will be rather late this year, owing to the continual wet. Some of the youth here are in high glee in anticipation of the Puhipuhi forest being opened. Some improvement has been made to the cemetery, viz., roads and planting of trees. [Own Correspondent, August 3.]

HOKIANGA. We have had delightful weather lately, and there is every prospect of an early spring. The roads, which have been scarcely passable for inontlis. are now drying up quickly, and the settlers are busily engaged preparing their land for crops while the tine weather lasts. The Kohokohu Sawmill resumed operations this week, after remaining idle for nearly four years. We trust that the supply of logs and the demand for sawn timber will warrant no suspension of operations in the future. The price of labour here is cheaper than ever it was, and I hear that the company is not slow in taking advantage of this. There has been some talk about starting a fish, meat, and fruit preserving factory in the district. Messrs. Masefield, of Kaipara, have lately been here gathering information. That there is-a splendid field for such au industry in the district is undoubted, but there is some dillicnlty in deciding where would be the best centre of operations. Te Koutou, or Russell's Point, would certainly be the best place for the fish canning, but for all combined I think Rawene offers the most advantages, being so centrally situated. I hope this matter will come to something more tangible than talk. Mr. Wright and party are engaged surveying a line of road from Taheke to Opunake, the terminus of the Kaihu Railway. They had some very rough experiences while exploring the line, during the bad weather about a month ago. The road is to be made suitable for dray traffic right away, and will : give employment to a number of village settlers. A number of new settlers have gone to the Mangonui-Owai Valley. They are working hard te get enough bush felled for a bum next autumn. The widening of the road from Motukaraka is being proceeded with, under the superintendence of Mr. G. G. Menkes, whose duties at present are anything but light. I am glad to know that the County Council has voted a sum of money tor gravelling Rawene township road. I hear that the tender of Mr. I£. Mc.Leod for performing the above work has been accepted. I notice that the paths leading to the courthouse have been gravelled. It certainly does not look well for the Government to l>e borrowing private property when these paths and other works m connection with the police station have to be repaired. A pound or so spent in buying pick, shovel, and barrow for the station would spare the officer in charge of being laid under obligation to private individuals for these articles. Mr. Munce has resigned his position as teacher of the Waimamaka native school, and Mr. Winkelman, lately of Kaipara Heads, has been appointed in his place. Mr. Howe, whose store was recently destroyed by tire, has resinned storekeepiug in Bryer's Hall, Omapere. On Monday, August sth, Messrs. Alarborough and Clark, J.P. 's, committed for trial an Otaua native on a charge of cattlestealing.

HUKERENUI. The want of a school at the Towai end of the district has been a source of much dissatisfaction to settlers for the last two years, hut this is now in a fair way of being rectified. A return of the number of children beyond the school boundary of Hukerenui South has been compiled and forwarded to the Board of Education, Auckland, along with a petition from the settlers. The total number of children is forty, exclusive of two families who have since come to reside on their This will bring the number up to about fifty, so that there should be now no question as to the necessity of a school being established here without delay. Our local storekeeper, Mr. Black, is again to the fore, having leased from the natives a portion of the country known as Waimukumuku. This is said never to have been dug on before by Europeans, no gum having been taken from some parts of it even by natives for 20 years, and much satisfaction is expressed by settlers and others at the pros' pect of a change from the monotony of the well - worked gumfields of Towa and its neighbourhood to comparatively new ground. A track is now being cut to Ruatuora, the proposed site of the new store, and it will be necessary to build six bridges over the various creeks. The whole are expected to be in readiness for a start on or about the Ist August. This spirit of enterprise, by no means common in the " far north," will it is to be hoped, meet with the success which it nudenbfcetUy merits.— Correspondent.]

MASTERTON.

That dreadful scourge, typhoid, has again made its appearance here. I mentioned that Mr. Payton, of the Daily, was laid up with it some time back. He recovered, but I regret having to reoord that his eldest daughter, a handsome young woman of eighteen, who had assiduously nursed him through his illness, caught the fever and succumbed to it. There are sever*' other cases in the place, and there is likely to be more while the present weather lasts. Our borough councillors are in an awkward predicament. Some time back the Charitable Aid Board made a demand in accordance with the Charitable Aid Act, for the amount pro raia due from Master ton. A meeting was called of representatives of tho various councils affected, and it was unanimously resolved to resist payment to the bitter end, as it was considered that wo have quite enough to do to support our own paupers without baring to help to keep those in Wellington. The liw-chuiwy of the law was then put in motion by the Wellington Board, judgment obtained, and a jnanaamvs was issued to compel them to levy a rote. . But the Mayor and councillors are still obstinate, so the next thing we shall see will be the worthy councillors marched off to the Wellington "jug" for contempt of court. Another local industry. Mr. Parsons is going to start a brewery here, so we will be able to drink our own beer. The flax industry is booming along, and the 'hum of the scutchers can be heard in every direction. It is to be hoped for the benefit of all concerned that the price will keep up at home for flax.

ELTHAM. <s Matters here are at present very if I except the building trade, which goes on merrily. Bush-falling in the vicinity ha* not made a start for the season yet, alhough a few contracts we advertised some distance off. There is likely to be a change in connection with the Mangawhare sawmill in a month's time, as the bush around it has been worked nearly out. The district will f»el the loss when it is removed, as a sum of money is circulated in the locality through its means. The dispute in connection with Messrs. Willy's mul has not yet been settled, so that work in that direction is as yet at a standstill. I learn that the school committee have resolved to hold a concert shortly in aid of the general funds of the school, and it is to be hoped that the desired end will be accomplished. I notice grass seed is still being sold by the settlers, a number of whom retained a large quantity from last harvest, in hopes that the price would rise, but, in the majority of cases, no benefit has accrued. This result tells heavily on those having sections which are not yet clear of deferred payment instalments, and prevents extra improvements being gone on with, as would otherwise be the case. In consequence, there is little likelihood of much ground being enclosed for grass seed next season. I hear that Mr. Chew Chong, storekeeper, retires from the business shortly, Mr. Charles Wilkinson, the present manager, having mado arrangements to carry on the business on his own account.

Mr. Revell, blacksmith, has arrived to carry on the business lately vacated by Mr. Alexander Young, and intends to add wheelrighting to the concern. Newcomers in Eltham direct from the old country are rare, but we have now to welcome Mr. George Suter and daughter; and as the former has earned on a farm in Scotland for many years, while the latter has also been engaged in like pursuits, it follows that the district has received a valuable addition to its inhabitants.

Mr. William Tomlins, from Wellington, has started a tailoring business here, and, I am glad to say, has met with a large amount of support already. That a splendid business in that line can be formed here there is no doubt, and Mr. Tomlins appears to possess the qualities which demand success. Since my last communication the Eltham Football Club have gained two substantial victories, one over the Hawera Club by 12 points, and one the YYaimate combination by 3 points. The juniors have also played two matches during that time, in one instance defeating the In gaire Club, and in the other drawing with the Stratfordites, after a very tough battle. —[Own Correspondent.]

OANUI, NEAR OPUWAKE.

Tin: new school just built and handed over : to the committee shows very clearly tljat : the present members have more brains, or more sense, than their predecessors. The building is a very useful and convenient one, well-designed and substantially built. Miss Agnes Malcolm has been fortunate enough to secure the position of teacher, and opened the school on the 29th ult. The settlers are to inaugurate the opening of the school by a ball. A good programme of twenty-six dances is provided bv the stewards, viz.: Messrs. G. W. Gaue, T. Collins, 0. Donnel, J. Lusk, J. Young, J. Conaglen. "R. Malcolm, J. Bryan, and B. Anderson. An efficient M.C., Mr. J. Morrison, has accepted that post. Several musicians have been engaged, and a large number of invitations have been issued, and if "A. Tramp, Esq. had been here he would have been a welcome visitor. This ball no doubt is only a foreriinuer of many that will follow. The school is the only building available for that purpose; and it is suggested that if the school is used for balls, etc., a charge should be made, and a portion expanded in insuring the building in the Board of Education's name. That would remove any objections the Board may raise against the building being used for that purpose. Mr. Chapman, Wesley an minister, has been round on a visit to the settlers, inviting them to attend divine service at the Oanui school, the committee having granted him the use of the school for that purpose. He informed the chairman of the committee that he was led to believe he would have a much larger congregation here than at Rahotu, and that the" Rahotuites would come down here.

We are lying on our oars, waiting to see the result of the meeting of the County Council as to what steps they will take to raise funds to put our road in repair.—[Own Correspondent.]