COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8320, 29 July 1890, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM oub OWN CORRESPONDENTS. J

Hamilton, Monday. Messrs. Knox an Ridlkr's Saturday produce sale was well attended. A quantity of furniture, drapery, and miscellaneous goods were sold at satisfactory prices. No poultry were offered. The following prices were realised: potatoes, 3s per cwt; onions. HI per 11): oats, Is 4d and 2s Id per bushel; cabbages, -s per dozen ; .'3O cases of oranges were quit at os (id per case. At the adjourned meeting of the aikato County Council there were present: W. A. Primrose, (chairman), and councillors JohnSoil, Forrest, andCoates. The accounts read at the afternoon meeting were A letter was read from the Property Tax Commissioner that a sum of CIS Ss had been paid to the credit of the County for rates on native lands ; also that subsidy for division amongst ridings, to the extent of £2.1!) Os lid, had been paid in. Mr Coates gave notice of motion, " That the resolution passed at the last meeting re payment for fascining in Taylor's contract, at Churchill, lie rescinded. Ohaui'O, Monday. The railway department is having the stations and waste places on the line planted with trees from their nursery at trankton. Cambridge, Monday. Messrs. J. McNicol and Co. had a most successful clearing sale on Saturday of the stock and goods of Mr. C. Boyce, baker and pastry cook, who is leaving Cambridge tor a new sphere of business.

MAUNCATUROTO. As the time for the general election draws near it appears pretty certain that this division (Marsden) will have the choice of several candidates, and unless some kind of organisation is attempted, it is very likely that amongst the several candidates we may get one returned that we do not want. There is no doubt that our district is an important one, in agriculture, in grazing, in timber, and grain. Hitherto the district has not had the benefit of the money borrowed lor public works, though we have to pay our portion of the interest on that money. In fact, we have, so to speak, helped other districts to get railways and good roads, so that those settlers can get their produce to market without delay and much cheaper than ourselves. It, therefore, is important that we should have a representative to look after this line but hitherto much neglected district. People here do not wish or desire to have any more money borrowed, but there is a very proper feeling that as there is a substantial surplus in the revenue for the nast year, that surplus should be employed in giving us railway communication. Our roads now, just in the middle of winter, are simply execrable. What they will be before the winter i:' over it would be very hard to say. It. is impossible with such miserable communication as we have to grow anything with profit. 1 know one farmer here who has a lot of wheat grown for his own family use, but who cannot get it to a mill to be ground into Hour, simply because he would have to leave it on the road if started to take it. Others ihere are who want fencing-wire to fence in their grazing lands, and who cannot, for some time to come, get it along a few miles of road, about five miles. One of the Cabinet Ministers (Mr. Fergus) was up here during the recess in the summer, when the roads were at their best. Why. oh, why, don t they come in the winter? Until then (that, is the (jovernnient otfieials) they do not know what roads we have to put up with. Another election (the county) is drawing on too. It is certain that we want new blood there. As yet there are but few indications of the excitement there is sure to be on this question ; but it behoves the ratepayers to meet early and discuss the matter, and see if there are any means to cut down the expense of the executive, so as to put more work oil our roads. The weather just, now is very wet and stormy. Everything agricultural appears to be at a standstill.—[Own Correspondent.] MANCAWAI. a in. v lambs are putting in an appearance. On July -ml at Mr. S. Tutin's farm a ewe dropped twins: on the ,'!rd a e-.ve had a single one; and on the .nil another had twins. At Mr. .1. Eoldrro's there are five lambs ; all sheep and lambs looking well. On or about Sunday evening last the wharf store door took leave, by either being pushed in or falling into he water, and is now a derelict, probably at sea, thanks to the' Road Hoard. The chairman gave out on Saturday that if the (illegal) charges for wharfage are not paid the Hoard will refuse delivery of the good. fie refuses point-blank to give any security whatever, either against theft or weather, tide or anything else. Anarchy and confusion will be the result. Many are looking out for a few fine days to plant early potatoes, the land being far too wet to do anything on it at present. A movement is discernible amongst electors, who anxiously inquire for the probable candidate. 1 understand that Mr. Trounson, of I'aparoa, will shortly address the constituency. As matters are, electors would do well not to promise their votes to any one candidate until all have been heard anil inquiries made as to who they are and what capabilities they may have for the position. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Eyre were baptised in a creek near their place recently by the Christian Brethren.

A move will be made by the members of the Anglican Church and others in the summer time to inaugurate some kind of enter tainnicnt with the view of gathering sufficient money to pay olf the church debt. Only 11 •"> is required. When this sum is paid it is confidently hoped that subscriptions towards- the stipend fund will be materially increased. ' I am afraid the law protecting stoats and weasels will be broken as often as possible. No settler will rest when he knows that vermin of such a destructive nature are let loose upon him. A demand for traps will lie on the increase. Ground game will stiller, lieu pheasants on their nests will fall victims to the bloodthirsty stoat; also, lambs, fowls, and probably children in cradles will be attacked. It appears to be a ruthless enactment, astounding in its boldness and callousness as regards the struggling settler. As regards the Railway League, re charges, &c., no definite ideas upon the subject have been expressed in public, probably because we have 110 railway near us; consequently the shoe does not pinch. At present good macadamised roads are most wanted. With a good macadamised road we could visit the business centres. If Whangarei is to have a boom we want to have a linger in the pie. At present it is dangerous travelling almost anywhere for any distance. Our public library is not much patronised. It would appear as if no annual meetings have been called for years, and no statement of accounts laid before anyone. Other libraries have their annual meetings, and why not that of Mangawai ?—[Own Correspondent]