COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8404, 4 November 1890, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from our own correspondents.] Hamilton, Monday. There was no business of importance transacted at the meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Waikato Farmers' Club on Saturday afternoon, there being but a bare quorum E resent. Great dissatisfaction was expressed y those members who did attend—some at great inconvenience to themselves—at the apathy shown by so many members towards a club which is of such great use to themselves individually, and a benefit to the farmers as a whole throughout the district. A well attended meeting of those interested in getting up sports for Boxing Day. was held on Saturday evening, at the Waikato Hotel, Mr. Isaac Coates in the chair. A committee of eight was appointed to carry out all arrangements. A subscription list was at once opened, and the sum of £10 Ills subscribed in the room.

The following nominations of members for the Waikato County Council were received on Saturday. For 'the Kirikiriroa district, Messrs. A. Primrose, S. T. Seddoti and Isaac Coates were nominated. As this was not in excess of the number required (3), they w-re declared duly elected. Mr. J. J. Barugh being the only candidate nominated for the Tamahere district, was declared duly elected, as also were Messrs. H. J. Calleiider and James Forrest, for the Cambridge district. For the Rangiriri district, there were two nominations, Messrs. F. J. Johnson and R. R. Ralph, and as only one member is required, a poll will be taken on the 12th instant.

The Hamilton Choral Society have drawn up a first-class programme, containing a number of carols, for their _ annual Christmas concert. As this Society is now in a flourishing condition and has a large membership, the coming performance may be fully expected to equal any of its predecessors in point of merit. The first rehearsal takes place on the sth inst. One evening last week some evil disposed person or persons broke into the old Wesleyan Church, which is now used as a Sun-day-school, and wantonly destroyed a considerable portion of the paraphernalia belonging to the juvenile troupe of minstrels lately started by some of the schoolboys. The police have the matter in hand, and it is understood have a clue to the identity of the culprits. Ngaruawahia, Monday. The sacred concert and coffee supper in aid of the Wesleyan Church building func was held here on Friday night last, and wai a great success. were rendered bj Miss Chappell, Mrs. Cross, and Mr. ileachein, of Hamilton, and also by Miss James and Miss G. Butcher, of Ngaruawahia. Several. achems were sung by the choir, and during the evening tea, coffee, and sand idles were handed round. The Rev. Mr. Lawry presided.

Raglan, Monday. To represent the various riding in connection with the Raglan County Council, the following have been elected : .For Karamil, Mr. Alexander Calder; Pirongia, Mr. James McGuirk; Te Akau, Mr. R. C. Mathias; Wangape, Mr. John Brooks. As tha nominations for the Karioi and Onewhero riding exceed the number of members required, an election will take place on the 12th instant, for the return of two members and one member respectively. OHAuro, Monday. The first cricket match of the' season was played here on Saturday, between the Cambridge and Ohaupo clubs, and resulted in a win for the local men by eight runs on the first innings. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Rotorua, Monday. On Saturday the coaches again brought a number of tourists. During the past week there was a steady flow, many going to War rakei, besides visiting the sights arounc here. A party of Frenchmen, after spend ing a week in the district, left this morning for Napier via Taupo. The ketch Katie, now a well-known figuri on the lake, is about to be removed to tin coast. She is a neat little craft, and wa built specially for the lake traffic about li' 6 years ago, but did not suit. The attention of Dr. Macgregor was dravn during his recent visit to the necessity ot having a separate Priest's Bath for the use of Hospital patients only. Mr. Malfroy is now in receipt of instructions from Wellington to proceed with the construction of lie bath as asked for. This is a wise step on the part of the Government, and one which will tend to popularise the baths. It is expected that the new Hospital buildings will be finished by Christmas. Part of the furniture, sueh as the bedding, is to be imported from England. The position o! matron for the institution is attracting the attention of a number of ladies, who have sent in applications. No appointment lias yet been made. Since the closing of the second outlet at Ohau the lake has risen considerably. It is now 18 inches higher. Dr. Cinders is in receipt of a communication from the Survey Department, Wellington, in answer to a petition sent some time ago, asking that the Wairoa Road may be again opened for traffic. The reply received states that the Government is advised that it is not yet safe to form the road, as the volcanic mud still causes considerable damage. The Government is, however, willing to give £25 towards improving the present bridle track, providing a similar sum is raised by the Rotorua residents for the same purpose. The reply is a very unsatisfactory one. It was fully expected that the Government would have entertained the matter more favourably, and considering that no Government official has been over the road during the past two years, it is _ haidly fair to state that the volcanic mud still causes damage. I find on inquiry that there has been no slips d iriug the past two years, and that the mud is now perfectly set. The importance of Wairoa tc visitors as a place of interest renders the formation of a road a matter of duty on the part of the Government. It is at "Wairoa where the havoc caused by the eruption can be fully realisedonce a pleasing landscape, now a scene of desolation. All this is full of interest to tourists, and would be visited by them if a road were made. Again, \\ airoa ib the gateway to Tarawera Mountain, where the awful rift still remains, and from which w;> belched forth, without Warning, death ana destruction. It must ever romaiu a marvel and wonder attracting crowds of visitors. It is to view this that enhances the value of the trip to Waiotapu, as from the summit of Mount Kakaraniea, Tarawera can be seen in the distance. How much more interesting it would be to get ou to the mountain itself. Another effort will be made to get the Government to reconsider the matter. Chief Judge Smith finished the business of his Court on Friday evening. The claim for a rehearing of Kawaha block was fully gone, into. Judgment in this case will be giver next week. His Honor and staff' proceeded tc Auckland via Taurauga on Saturday.