COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8388, 16 October 1890, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM our OWN correspondents.] Hamilton, Wednesday. The funeral of the late Mr. A. F. Sage, who died early on Sunday morning at his mother's residence, Hamilton West, took place yesterday afternoon, a large number of friends of thv, deceased paying their last tribute to one who had always been a favourite amongst them, by following the remains to the Hamilton East Cemetery, wheie the interment took place, the Rev. Mr. Biggs officiating at the grave. G.. CTPO, Wednesday. The usual monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council was held here yesterday. Present: Messrs. Laing (chairman), Messrs. Finch, Hunter, Farrell, Smith, Ridler, and Anderson. The engineer, in making his monthly report, stated thae he had made numerous enquiries for the purpose of obtaining land for gravel pits, but he had nothing definite to lay before the Council. The matter wii.sdeferred. With reference to the cutting in front of Mr. Prince's house, he stated he had taken the levels and prepared a section of the proposed work, which he estimated would cost about £1 After some discus i<- was decided not to proceed any fv.rther with the work. The engineer also reported that lie had examined the piles of thr bridge over the Waikato river, at Cambridge, and he found that they were decaying— being pretty far gone. As, however, they did not in any way affect the stability of the bridge, the matter was allowed to stand over for the present. A letter was received from the Pirongia Road Board, disclaiming any responsibility in connection with the Te Rore ferry after the time it was taken over by the Council, as the County did not contribute anything towards its maintenance when it was under control of the Road Board. The accounts of the various ridings were shown to be as follows :Credit balance: Tuhikaramea, £3 19s 3d; Hamilton, £29 13s Kd ; Mangapiko, £8 Is '2d. Debit balances : Newcastle, £2(32 19s 4d ; Pukekura, £330 (Is lid; Rangiaohia, £19 19s 7d. The clerk reported the overdraft as standing at £383 2s 3d. For road works near Te Rore the tender of Mr. MeCalluin as being the lowest was accepted, the price being at per chain for formation, 2s Oil ; draining, Is ; gravelling, 14s. The same contractor's tender for works 011 the Mangapiko Road was also accepted at the following price iter chain : Formation, 2s 8d ; side drain, 9d ; outfall drain, Is ; sanding, Bs. The engineer was instructed to call for tenders for road works in the Tuhikaramea district and for improvements on the Alex-andra-Faterangi Road, near Mr. A. Smith's. The clerk was instructed to issue notices to several property owners to clear furze on the roads adjoining their land. This was all the business.

BOMBAY. On'"Friday evening, October 3, the annual football concert was held in the hall, and, with their usual luck, the rain poured down, thus causing a thin house and a curtailed programme, for several of the singers did not turn up. However, the committee made the best of it, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Air. Balme occupied the chair, and Dr. Carolan kindly acted as stage manager. Miss Lynch, from Auckland, accompanied most of the songs with her usual ability. Miss Quinn, from Auckland, sang her songs very nicely, but seemed a little nervous. Miss Reid, from Auckland, sang three songs splendidly. She has a very fine voice, and sings with taste and precision. The comics of Mr. T. Worden and H. Harris brought down the house, both being encored. The following was the programme: — Piano solo, Miss Brownhill; song (comic), "I Couldn't," Mr. H. Harris: song, "The Song That Reached My Heart," Miss Reid; song (comic), "She Stood Behind the Parlour Door," Mr. Worden; song, "Come Again," Miss Quinn; song, "Old England," Mr. Balme; piano solo, Miss Lynch; song, "Ye Banks and Bract," Miss Reid; song, "On the Ball," Mr. Harris; song, "Annie Laurie," Miss Reid; song, " Rory O'Moore," Miss Quinn; song, " Measure Your Wants by Your M eans," Mr. Balme; song, "Razors in the Air," Mr. T. Worden ; song, " His Funeral's To-morrow," Mr. Harris. Dr. Carolan, on account of a cold he was suffering from, could not sing. He assisted Miss Lynch in accompanying the vocalists. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the young ladies who had come so far to assist, to the other vocalists, and to Mrs. T. Worden for the use of the piano. " God Save the Queen " was then heartily sung, after which refreshments were handed round with a liberal hand. Dancing was then indulged in for an hour or two. Miss Lynch and Dr. Carolan (piano), and Mr. McCarthy (violin), supplying the music. Mr. .J. Andrew made an efficient M.C.— [Own Correspondent.]

NORTH ALBERTLAND. A great transition has taken place during the last month. All vegetation is fast hastening to put on its mantel of green and bedeck itself with floral ornaments, the perfume from the same being exquisite. We are to be congratulated at having passed through the winter so well, there being very little loss in sheep and cattle (except where overstocked), the latter turning out tine when killed, although there are a few of Pharaoh's lean kine to be seen about, able to get under or oyer anything in the shape of fences ; but as time moves on, and settlement extends, section after section getting taken up and fenced, the run is getting very limited ; but thanks to the advocacy through your columns of each one keeping their own things on their own place, this nuisance is not so prevalent, but is not altogether abated. With the exception of three heavy blows of wind knocking fences, stove pipes, snouting, etc.. about, there has not been much to complain of 011 the score of weather. One of the gales caused serious inconvenience to a number here, who were engaged in licigationcither as principals or witnesses, at the R.M. Court. Port Albert. _ Talking and reading about strikes, depression, etc., I have looked about to see how much of them are here. There is not much apparent. There in hardly a house in which you will not find suspended several hams and bacon of first-class quality, or eke a porker in the sty (and not to pay the rent with either), but used along with their other accompaniment— which are as low as 4d per dozen. Some can even produce their cheque-books. The children arc enjoying their Michaelmas holidays, previous to which a private examination was held by the teacher, Mr. R. Reid, prizes being awarded—one to the boys, and one to the girls, the winners being Arthur Wharfc and Margaret Farrand : while for the cleanest desks, Matilda Wharfe and Elsie Farrand got a few words from their teacher, and Messrs. Henderson, who stated that there were bigger prizes than awarded that day, and which lay within the reach of all. With the exception of the low tone in which the children answered, everything seemed satisfactory. Another meeting of the North Albertland Band of Hope was held on the 27th September, and was one of the most successful and numerously-attended meetings held for some time back, people coming long distances. The gems of the evening were the two dialogues, " The Silly Set," by the Misses Henderson (3), and " The Wife's Mistake," the respective parts being taken by Miss M. Yates, Mrs. and Miss A. Ward, and Messrs. W. Yates and R. Henderson, The young ladies acquitted themselves well, and caused much laughter, whereas Mrs. Ward as Women's Rights Defender, was simply'perfection. Songs and recitations by some of the younger members helped to enliven the proceedings, and a speech by Mr. T. G. Hunt, on Moral Courage v. Cowardice," was well received The remarks of the president on some ot the pieces were of a very flattering nature, but lie was not in a state of health for speechifying. Messrs. Lambert, Hey wood, and F. Shannon have left this district lately with a small mob of cattle for your market. The timber dealers are getting all their teams together for hauling as soon as the restrictions, as far as time is concerned has passed, allowing them to travel on the roads. [Own Correspondent.] OKAIHAU. A stiort time ago Ave were favoured with a discussion on the question of the moment — irade Unions : Are they good or bad? Mr. A. Nicholson undertook to argue in the affirmative, and our teacher undertook to prove they were sources of evil. The Rev. Jr. Walsh, president of the society, occupied the chair, and after brief introduction, asked Mr. A. Nicholson to take his position and open the debate. He began by showing the necessity for trades unions, and contended that the rights of the labourer and capitalist were equal. He said strikes were not caused by trades unions, but by capitalists endeavouring to secure more than a fair share of the profits, and iu many instances this had

reduced labourers to a state bordering on starvation. The dock strikes were instanced. The whole question hinged on want of appre" preciation of mutual duties. Our teacher said the object of trades unions seemed to be to get the most money for the least amount of labour. He gave the history of themshowed that when Government gave con' cessions labourers became more intolerant. Trades unions caused stagnation of effort". He instanced strikes, and showed that the result was to divert trade, and they caused alienation of employed and employer, estahlishing a suspicious hatred. That rules were frequently contrary to law, as quoted, am) consequently had a demoralising effect on those obeying them. Ratting was described. He contended against his opponent that strikes were maintained by trades unions, and could not exist to a harmful extent without them. The cost of strikes and the loss of ejiergy was shown to be a loss to the country, and indirectly to the in. dividual. Mr. Anderson followed, upholding the last speaker. He showed some ah surdities in connection with certain trade union rules with which he was familiar. He could see 110 good arising from them. Mr. Tollcrton was in favour of the first speaker. He said some employers were less considerate of their employees than slave-owners. Trades unions had done good,_ especially to those employers he characterised as slave-drivers. After an opportunity was offered to any others to speak, Mr. A. Nicholson replied", thanking his opponent for the historical information concerning unions, but he thought that facts of forty years ago should not have been brought forward aga'nst movements of to-day. He contended that the demand of trades unions was a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. He gave a rename of the present dithculty to prove that it was a just one. He spoke against the assumption that employees would accept more than a fair share of the profits. Our teacher replied, and the Rev. Walsh made some 1 interesting deductions. The vote being put, the majority were of the opinion that trades unions were an evil. After the usual votes of thanks, the meeting separated. Some time ago an attempt was made to commence the discussion of scientific subjects by getting papers read. This was met by a trial Doing fixed upon, and our teacher volunteered to give a series of lectures 011 physiology. We have received two already. The first, " The Stomach and Food;'' ami the second, "The Liver, and its Connection with the Stomach." Although the attendance was not large 011 either occasion, it was apparently apppreciative. There is a prospect of a series of discussions 011 electricity and other subjects dealing with various branches of science beiiia taken, and it is expected that a greater interest will be taken and larger attendances secured as the roads improve. The roads, as is common in all country districts at this time of the year, are a very great hindrance to social intercourse. The new school in the valley (Waiho) is completed, and we are expecting to hear of an op ning entertainment in a few days.—[A Correspondent.]

WAIPIRO (WAIAPU). Pending the inauguration ot county matters we are rather dull here just at present, resting as it were between the industry of bushfalling on the one hand and shearing on the other. The former is mostly suspended for the season, the latter is looked for as the next prominent occupation in station life shortly. The s.s. Australia, due by wire on the 22nd, did not arrive till the '24th, having been detained bv heavy S.S. W. gales, probably at Hicks' Bay. She landed a quantity of cargo by the local boats, the volunteer crews of which, under their amateur steersman, Mr. Connelly (late of Opotiki), proving themselves thoroughly proficient at the not very agreeable task of " negotiating the rollers." I regret (not exceedingly) that I have somewhat riled the susceptibilities of an Awanui resident, and ex-county councillor, by my late advocacy of Waipiro as the metropolis (ahem!) of Waiapu County. Why not? Waipiro, despite its equivocal appellation, is steady to a degree, which everybody knows Te Awanui declivity is not (vide survey reports), though well weighted by a porty genial landlord, a veteran police sergeant of no mean girth, a possible county (Waiapu) councillor, and embryo .I.l'. All men of weight, Mr. Editor, hut apparently not heavy enough to prevent their peripatetic township slipping away, slowly, but surely, down the Pacilic slope to the adjacent ocean. Rather a ludicrous affair, with, however, a tragic beginning, came under the notice of the local police here lately. It appears that about a fortnight ago, during one of the many freshets to which all the inland streams have been liable lately, a Maori child was drowned near Titta Nihoniho's village, Hiruharama (Jerusalem). As is customary in Maoridom, great mourning ensued, which has not been concluded yet, but breaks out spasmodically at intervals on the arrival of fresh (tangihangtis) mourning parties, and many guns are lired. During one of these fusilades, in which it seems the women participate as well as the men, one of the former had her visage badly scorched by the discharge of a gun in close proximity to it. Of course, with customary Maori exaggeration, the police were informed that the woman's head was shattered to pieces, and our übiquitous half-caste, Constable (ierranl (Rake), says he felt rather small when, i his arrival at the scene, the dead woma. ~->o described) came to meet him with the usual Maori greetings. Te Maire. of Waiapu proper, was charged to-dav (the '29th Sept.), before Messrs. Wallis and Boyd, J.P.'s, at Waipiro, with having assaulted and used threatening language to his wife, Krete. The quarrel and assault seem to have arisen out of a dispute about a saddle, and the defendant pleaded his own cause, I must say, if not in an able, certainly in _ a most interminable manner. lam of opinion that the. Justices ere quite as much tired of the case as I was, but they could not well get away, while i could, and got accordingly. lam happy to say that the defendant, despite his forensic eloquence, notes, and exasperating taps (by way of emphasis) on the table, etc., was fined '20s ami costs, which, as there were a good many witnesses, would amount to something considerable.— Own Correspondent.]

POUT FITZROY (GREAT BARRIER). A VKiiY successful social was pi veil by our highly-esteemed neighbours, Mr. ;lnd Mrs. A. A. Taylor, on the 17th September, the anniversary of their wedding day. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, there was a large gathering. Dancing began at 7 p.m., Mr. Walker officiating splendidly as M.C. We had excellent music, piano and violin, supplied by Mrs. Taylor and Mr. J. Paddison. During the evening several very amusing games were played, in which all the young people joined, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy. We also had singing and recitations. Miss Minn sang "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen," very sweetly and with much feeling, Mrs. Taylor accompanying her on the Piano. Miss I'addison sang "Love Has Eyes" splendidy, and was accompanied by the piano and violin. Mr. Johnson, in his Irish comic song, "Tim Finnigan's Wake,'' tickled the audience immensely. He also sang " Fair Dove, Fond Dove," very expressively. Misses »S. and M. Moor sing " The Light of Other Days"' very nicely. Mrs. Flinn, sen., in her usual good style, favoured the company with " Isle of Beauty." A humorous recitation, "Marriage, and the Cares of It," by Mr. Taylor, was much appreciated. " A Coal Black .Steed," by Mr. Bates, fairly brought flown the house. Mr. W. Flinn, jun., sang, "Kitty Wells." Mr. J. Blair sang "The March of the Cameron Men." The gem of the evening was a vocal duet, A.8.C.," by Miss Paddison and Mr. J. Paddison, Mrs. Taylor as usual presiding at the piano. At 11.30 an excellent supper was provided, at which there was no spare ol good things, besides which refreshments wen bountifully supplied at various intervals. All the ladies were very tastefully dressed, and looked charming. It would be difficult to pick out the belle. Dancing was kept up with vigour until daylight, when all joined hands and sang "Auld Lang Syne," and three cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. Then all departed to their several homes well pleased with their evening's entertainment.—[A Correspondent.]