COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8362, 16 September 1890, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from our own correspondents.] Hamilton, Monday. Messrs. Knox and Ridlkr's usual .Saturday afternoon sale was well attended, and considerable interest was exhibited as to how prices would go, owing to the present uncertain state of the markets. Satisfactory prices were, however, obtained, of which the following are a few : —Poultry, lOd to Is Id : cabbages, Is 6d per dozen; cabbage plants, Is per 100; onions, lid per lb ; potatoes, £5 ; seed potatoes, £5; dairy butter, 8d; oaten chaff, £3. A very serious accident happened to a lad named George Cockhead, son of Mr. David Cockhead, of Hamilton East. He had melted some lead, and poured water on it to cool it, the consequence being that the generated steam caused the molten lead to fly up into the boy's face, severely burning it, and also injuring his sight Messrs. Coates and Metcalfe's flax mill will not open to-day, as, owing to the still uncertain state of the coal supply, the proprietors deem it advisable to wait for another week in hopes that the present difficulties may by that time be settled. Ihe smoke concert on Saturday night, which was given as a wind-up of the football season in Hamilton, was a great fuccess. Ohaupo, Monday. The Cambridge branch of the Waikato Farmers' Club have added another prize to the exhibition of animals to be shown at Messrs. J. McNicol and Co.'s horse fair. Very great interest is excited by the fair, which promises to be one of the largest and most attractive ever held in the Waikato, and all the more so as there will be present at it as a visitor one of the most important officers of the Imperial Department tor providing mounted relays for Government service in India. [by telegraph.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Russell, Monday. There are a large number of natives here attending the Land Court. Paeroa, Monday. At the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. Northcroft, R.M., the following civil cases were heard —George Cooper v. J. Cooper. Auckland, £'20 3s, royalty on timber cut, judgment for plaintiff, costs 575; Phillips v. Telsley Brothers, goods, £14 14s, judgment for plaintiff, costs 735; Phillips v. Poaka, goods, £ ( Ss, adjourned for one month ; Phillips v. Poaka, judgment summons, £18 9s, order for payment within one mouth made or 30 days; Edwards v. Elland Walter Scott, goods, £2, adjourned for one month.

I'OLLOK. At a meeting of the Pollok Mutual Improvement class, held on Thursday evening, the 4th September, the programme was gone through, which consisted of songs, recitations, readings, and one essay. Among other things there was read an extract from Sir Walter Scott, an interesting interview between " Rebecca the Jewess and Wilfred of Ivanhoe;" an extract from Charles lieade, " Alfred Hardy and David Dodd escaping from a private mad housean extract from Alexander Dumas, M. Morrel and Son's ship " Pharaon" entering the port of Marseilles from Smyrna, etc., laden with cochineal and indigo, commanded by Edmund Dantes ; an emotional extract from Will Carleton, of America, Over the Hill to the Poor House, over the Hill from the Poor House." Messrs. Robert and Edward Tirulal, of Awliitu, recited a pretty poem; Mr. A. Clark gave another essay on "The New Zealand Civil Service and General Government." He said New Zealand is rightly stvled the Brighter Britain, with a climate and fertile lands unsurpassed, and within her bounds she contains the elements for the formation of a great nation. We cannot take a newspaper into our hands without reading some accounts of great finds of valuable minerals. Reefs of copper 20 feet wide, coal of superior quality cropping out in many quarters, in large masses, from Cape Maria in the far north to the Bind' in the far south ; manganese, chrome, antimony, iron,steel sand, lime, silver, and gold. To say that this infant colony—scarcely free from its swaddling clotheshas exported within a few year, upwards of £44,001), of gold, over 52 tons of silver, 1874 tons of copper, . r >G6ti tons of chrome ore, 1553 tons antimony ore, 14,521 tons of manganese ore, raised 5,817,-77 tons of coal for home use and export, 127,192 tons of kauri gum, not speaking of the shiploads of mutton, wool, flax, fruits; cereals, and root crops; and every year there are new sources of wealth being discovered. The city of Auckland has a new goldtield within a few miles of her on the south side, and a new gold and silver field within a few miles of her on the north side, both having every appearance of being a success. But the Government of the country, including the Parliament, is little or no friend to the country, unless so far as it suits their individual purpose. Much of the time is spent, and a great portion of the taxes incurred, in one party struggling to get into power with all their friends and followers, and another party struggling to remain in power with all their friends and followers; thus the time and money of the country is spent, and in giving g. eat salaries and pensions to their friends, not for the good of the country, but to secure patronage for themselves. Instead of making roads and bridges with the public money, it is in a large measure squandered away in schemes of selfishness. Only a few weeks ago a man named Campbell was pensioned oil' with somewhere about £500 a-year, and neither the Government or the man himself could give the people a just reason for this act. The people have hitherto been backward in demanding reasons for these acts of liberality, and stamping it down, but it is refreshing to see that the people are arousing to the fact that something must be done to check this wholesale waste of public money. Another Cromwell may start up, as bold and as brave as he of old, and assert the rights of the people. Instead of the public money being spent on a plethora of officials, rather spend it m doing away with heavy taxes, in liquidating the shameful public debt, in making roads and bridges for the advancement of the country and the people's comfort. We often read with horror the acts of brigands in Sicily, Greece, Italy, and other parts of the continent of Europe, but many of the acts done in our midst are nothing else but a polished system of brigandage. The district around the gold and silver fields of Puhipuhi is teeming with wealth, indepeudent of its gold and silver. There is a public forest there, with hundreds of millions of feet of the finest kauri timber, thousands of pounds' worth of kauri gum, beds of coal, iron, chrome, manganese, lime, and other minerals, stretching from Kamo to Kawakawa— a district ready to pour out its wealth, like the great cornucopia, into the pockets of the people, not only the people on the field or the people of Auckland, out over the length and breadth of New Zealand, but the men who are entrusted by the people with the duty of government Are not attending to their trust. A large portion of their time and energy is spent in looking after money for their own pockets, golden railway passes, travelling expenses, billets for their friends'peusioning off civil servants to make room for other friends, instead of reduce ing the expenditure, rather augmenting it. There is a great show of work done by some in patching up old Acts, striking out words and clauses, and substituting other words and clauses, amendments on the top of amendments, till the original Act is so cut up and distorted that no person but a lawyer could make anything of it. Far better to pile them up and burn them, and begin again on a clean sheet. For doing such useless work they excuse themselves that there is no time or money to spare for making roads and bridges at Puhipuhi or any other place. If such a land of promise were within the bounds of the United States of America, our American cousins would push a rail.vay through the district from Kamo to Kawakawa without any delay, especially when the sinews of war were looking them in the face in the shape of valuable kauri timber; but before our paternal Government can lift its tardy leg to business it must have another loan of £2,000,000, and cram the pockets of its friends in England holding the offices of stockbroker, commission agents, etc. The people of New Zealaud must fairly awake to the crying evil in our midst, and prevent a few men bringing oppression and wretchedness on the great bulk of the people. They must assert their right by wisely and firmly taking the bull by the horns, and purge the blot out of our fair land.—[Own Correspondent.] KAEO. On Saturday evening, August 30, a very successful anniversary soiree was held in the Wesleyan Chapel. The building was tastefully decorated. At six p.m. a fairly numerous company sat down to enjoy the creature comforts provided. For variety, abundance, and excellence, the viands could not be surpassed.in a country district. The ladies had also displayed groat taste in the arrangement and decoration of the tables, a matter which adds very much to the enjoyment of food. At the after meeting, a capital programme, of a miscellaneous character, was submitted, and cordially received. The resident pastor, Mr. Pearson, discharged the duties of chairman in a lively and efficient manner. A gentleman from Waimate, Mr. Fair burn, played a pianoforte selection, and rendered the favourite song, " The Little Hero," with considerable success. Messrs. O'Donnell and Burgess gave Shakesperiau recitations. The former has a very flexible and pleasing voice, and should make a respectable reciter, with study and practice, Mr. McCrackeu, in his

usual effective manner, recited "Bernardo del Carpio." The audience had a treat in listening to the elocution of one of our local lawyers, Mr. Wilson. The recitation was of » difficult nature, " The Progress of Madness," but Mr. Wilson ably interpreted the pathos and frenzy. Mr. K. Gibbs sang a song with acceptance,and Miss Gibbs played a pianoforte selection in a pleasing manner. Miss Williams and Miss Martin each played a piece on the pianoforte. The Misses Brown, Mr. W. Brown, Mr. R. Gibbs, Mr. Burgess, and Master Brown, from Fami Fimi, sang a sacred song in a pleasant manner. Speeches were delivered by Messrs. Goulton, Shipherd, Brighouse. and W. Brown. As usual, Mr. Brighouse s oration amused the audience. The deliverances of the other gentlemen do not call for comment. It would be unpardonable for me to neglect naming the ladies who so generously donated, and charmingly presided over the tables. On record, then, I put these names Mesdames Nisbit, Hallulay, Gibbs, Pearson, F. Hayes, and D. Hayes, and Misses Goulton (3), Mishit, Watson, and Whitehead. The entertainment may very safely be pronounced an unqualified success, and should be conducive to increased harmony among the residents.—[A Correspondent.]

VICTORIA VALLEY. It is a singular fact that country settlers, above all other people, are the most easily gulled. Some time back a particular friend of mine had a small consignment of hops to dispose of, so he thought, " good easy man," that he would send them to his grocer in Auckland, and accordingly he sent them by the Northern S.S. Co.'s steamer from Awanui. The weight of the parcel being 241bs for which the Company charged the sum of five shillings, the grocer's price being only 6d per pound. Now at that rate of freight I would like to know how on earth we poor unfortunate settlers can keep our heads above water. The things is really prohibitory, and throws us into a state of despondency fiom which I fear it will be hard to get clear. The weather is all that can be desiredplenty of sunshine and a little rain. Spring is setting in rapidly. Lambing is progressing favourably, and for a wonder tnere are no complaints. Grass is plentiful, and all descriptions of stock are in good condition. There is a large extent of bush-clearing goin" 011 in the district this season, which speaks well for the energy of the settlers, handicapped as they are, with next to no roads, and no market at all, However, we live in hopes that the new Parliament will do something for us. If it cannot reduce the taxation, it may do something in the way of giving us better roads, so as to put us on a par with the more favoured southern part of the colony, which has got all the plums, while we have only got the husks in the North. However, we still retain the right to grumble, poor satisfaction, but still it is a satisfaction.

The candidates for this electorate have not as yet declared themselves. They seem tobe satisfied with throwing out feelers, so as to ascertain the temper of electors. However, 1 understand that they all are confident of being returned at the head of the poll. Out of the many I hope we shall have discrmination to select a good man, for this electorate has long been forgotten, and yet it is worthy of more consideration.[.Own Correspondent.]

MASTERTON. The one absorbing topic here, as elsewhere, is the strikes. As yet we have felt the effect of them but very slightly, but they are beginning to assume a more serious turn now, as owing to the scarcity of supplies in Wellington produce has gone up considerably, and we are paying from 20 to 40 per cent, advance 011 most articles of daily consumption. But as it is " an ill wind," etc., the farmers and storekeepers holding large stocks are benefitting greatly by the rise. One storekeeper here, who had 200 tons of potatoes on hand, and would gladly have parted with them at £3, sold the lot in one deal at £5 per ton, while a well-known miller, who holds 2500 bushels of wheat, expects to make a good rise. Owing to the scarcity of coal the railway traffic is suspended two days a week. This of course means a considerable loss to a great number of persons more or less connected with it.

A Chinese storekeeper here performed a smart trick last week. Having got the " tip " from some of his countrymen in Wellington of the iinpendiug " stlike," he interviewed a "canny" farmer who had a large stock of "spuds" on hand. "You got plateis," queried John. "Oh ! yes, plenty, John," replied Scotty, anxious to do a deal and get rid of what looked like a drug on his hands. " Alle li me buy em lot, suppose you selle welly cheap," replied John. The tubers changed hands at a nominal figure, and the bland and child-like son of Confucius is now selling them at about 200 per cent, profit, while that farmer is the maddest man in the community, and.bewails his penny wise and pound foolish economy in not having a paper sent him regularly, so that he might see how tilings were going on generally. I think this is the only case on record of a " Chinky" getting to windward of a Scotchman.

The newly-formed branch of the Knights of Labour is increasing every week, and now numbers over 200 members. A branch was established in Carterton on Friday, and 37 joined oil the opening night. Their influence is being felt already, pressure being brought to bear on one or two obdurate tradesmen who refused to conform to the rule of closing at six o'clock, with satisfactory results. Tenders have been accepted for the erection of smithy and workshops for the newlyformed Farriers' and Wheelwrights' Company, and a competent man from Canterbury engaged as manager. This move on the part of the farmers will cause some of the masters here to sit up on their hind legs and curse the day they attempted to raise the price of horse-shoeing. In spite of the strikes and the amount of surplus labour generally, I am happy to say that there are very few unemployed locally. Two hundred buslifallers were wanted for Puketoi block, but the contractors had to send to Wellington, as they could not obtain labour locally though they offered Is per hour, and the job will last for the next six months.

A requisition has been sent to Mr. A. W. Slogg asking him to contest the Masterton seat against Mr. Beetham at the next election. The requisition, strange to say, comes from Woodville, which will be included in the Masterton district, but it is looked upon by the local people as a «' .Jge to bleed the present members of election expenses. The game has been played here before with success. The gentleman won't have the giiost of a show against our present member as the local people know what he is. Mr. T. Mackay, the newlv-appointed inspector to the Rabbit Board, is doing good work, and his last report shows that the " working man's friend" is being effectually dealt with.— Correspondent.]

PORT ABLERT. The August meeting of the Port Albert Band of Hope, Mr. J. M. French in the chair, was held as usual in the Wesleyan Chapel. There was a good attendance, especially of adults, as well as an attractive programme. The young people, however, were slightly chagrined to find themselves crowded out of . the latter. They might try to bear in mind, however, that neither young nor old people can reasonably expect to get all they would like, or even deserve, in the present economy of - things. Still the conductors would do well to arrange for the young hopefuls to take the lion's share in these fc 'itnerings, when they are able and willing for the work. I can send you no sensational item, headed " Unions and Strikes at Port Albert," but it may be news to some that we are suffering somewhat vicariously from this epidemic of social la grippe elsewhere. Flour, potatoes, etc.. are hardening about Is per cwt daily, with a threatened famine at any price in the near future. The sapient, and forethoughtful will now taste the reward they merit, or rather think they do. It will seem to many childish that farmers and settlers are still so sadly dependent for the supply of elementary daily wants on Auckland. Why, it may be asked in amazement, are they not able, as creators at first hand of the necessaries of existence, to snap their lingers at all these mis-named "labour" troubles? By a strange irony, whilst the goods he needs are striding up to famine quotations, his butter and eggs ore even now on the verge of ruinous summer rates. Let those who have ears hear, and note.— Correspondent, September^]

HOKIANGA. A most enjoyable dance was given by the Koliukohu ladies oil Friday, the 29th of August. I dare not select any lady as the belle. The music was supplied by Herr Klieber's band, and was all that could be desired. Dancing was kept up with great spirit until five o'clock on Saturday morning, I hope this is only one of a series of these reunions. The County Council held their monthly meeting on Saturday, the 30th ult., when the proceedings were varied by one councillor threatening to tread oil the tail of another councillor's coat. There was a great sea on, but the flood has subsided. Potatoes are very • scarce in the district, and the natives are very short of seed. Flour has risen to famine prices; it is said to be on account of the strikes. The Presto, barque, is loading timber for Sydney, and will soon be ready for sea. It is hoped that the sawmill will soon begin to work again.—[Own Correspondent.]