COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8534, 7 April 1891, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] , Hamilton, Monday. The whirr of the threshing machine may now be heard at various homesteads. As far as yet known the yield is considerably lower than that of last year, but this difference is made up where the sample is good by the increased price. Last year the market opened at 2s 9d per bushel for wheat. Mr. Coates, of Kirikiriroa, before sending his machines out, threshed his own grain, and though his wheat crop was lighter than last year, sold to the Te Awamutu mills at 3s 9d, gaining in price more than he lost in yield as compared with last year. Though the fore part of the day on Saturday was wet, the South Auckland race meeting was quite as well attended as usual, many vehicles from the up country districts putting in a lace appearance, having hesitated to start till nearly noon. Mr. Hudson had estimated to bring up some COO persons from all stations on the line, but only 367 arrived, and had the train been full "from down country His Excellency had intended to have given a luncheon on board, but the weather put a damper on everything. With the appearance of a bright sun and cloudless sky at noon matters assumed a very different aspect, and people laid themselves out for enjoyment. Some idea of the interest taken in the racing may be gathered from the fact that between £1300 and £1400 passed through the totalisator. Neither of the jockeys thrown, it is satisfactory to say, was injured, the one a half-caste lad riding Mr. Hettit's horse, and the other a Maori riding a horse belonging to Te Wheoro. The alleged " lambing down" case at one of the Hamilton hotels, is in the hands of the police. Mr. Schnltze, the licensee of the Royal Hotel, writes to the local paper hoping that the police will " take the matter up and either prove the allegation false, or bring it home to the guilty party." Mr. Gerald Peacocke is canvassing the Waikato School Committees for their votes as a candidate for the seat in the Education Board vacated by Mr. oldie. There is a very general opinion that the four Waikato Counties, Piako, Waikato, Waipa, and Raglan, should have an Education Board of their own, possessing, as they do, so large a number of primary public schools.

Tamaiiere, Monday. _ Mr. A. Edwards has been appointed presiding officer for the licensing and local option poll elections} heref which will take place on Friday, the Ist of May, in the schoolhouse. The elections for Kirikiriroa will take place at the office of the Board on the same day.

Ohaupo, Monday. In consequence of the unsatisfied demand for sheep by Waikato farmers, Mr. J. MeNicol will hold a third sheep fair in a month's time. Some 9000 sheep have been already entered for sale. The large increase of breeding ewes to our \Vaikafco flocks will cause a proportionate scarcity of rams, and it is understood that Mr, McNicol, who has during the past year introduced from GOO to 800 first-class animals into the district, will be prepared to meet the further demands of the settlers in this respect with rams of a very superior description. Taupitu, Monday. Some much-needed works in this district have been confided to Mr. T. H. White, one of the members of the Kirikiriroa Road Board, to have executed under his supervision, namely, replacing the wings, and redecking Geake's bridge ; also, putting up new handrails; also, repairing the bridge near Walsh's. -Mr, White is also authorised to inspect and repair the bridge, near Woodlands, over the Komokorau.

Te Awamutu, Monday. A man named Thomas Power, from Rangiaohia, has been sent to the Old Men's Refuge at Hamilton. . Power was sent up here forty years ago, by Sir George Grey, to teach the natives how to prepare the land, and sow and cultivate wheat, &c. When at Taupo, Mr. Percy Smith and Mr. Kensington had a satisfactory interview with the natives as to the erection of a wharf for the convenience of the steamers on Lake Taupo. Mr. Kensington and Mr. Wright, road engineer, returning via Ohakau and Kihikihi to Wuikato, from the Lake Country, stated that they had left Mr. Percy Smith to proceed to Wanganui by way of Fielder's track.

Cambridge, Monday. Considerable dissatisfaction has been expressed here by those who have paid the dog tax, at the want of action on the part of the proper authorities in regard to several residents who have expressed their determination not to pay the tax, and who, in order to evade the law, have sen "their dogs to other districts to be registered, where the fee is lower. The matter will be brought up at the next meeting of the Borough Council, and doubtless it will be decided to test the legality of the cases above referred to without further delay. The net result of Mr. Hyatt's lectures on behalf of the Huntly Relief Fund is £7, which, with the amounts raised by subscription, brings the total to £25. William Hume, who recently attempted his life by eating a quantity of wax vestas, on his release from hospital was brought before Mr. Thomas Wells, J.P., and remanded till the 10th instant, when the charge against him will be heard by the Resident Magistrate.

Judge Puckey, on account of illness in his family, has adjourned the sitting of the Native Lands Court till the 20th April. Captain Barry lectured here on Thursday night last. Mr. A. Clements took the chair There was a moderate attendance, and some of the audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy the captain's recital of the events of his exciting career. The captain is about to proceed to the King Country to endeavour to complete negotiations for the lease of a tract of land alleged to contain valuable deposits of tin ore.

A children's fancy dress ball was given by Miss Grey to the children attending the Catholic Day School on Thursday evening last. The way in which the children went through the various dances was very creditable, and- showed that great pains must have been taken to make them so proficient. Amusing games were also introduced. Rev. Father O'Gara, Mrs. and Miss Taylor, and a number of parents of the children, and other friends were present. A nice supper was provided, and the party, adults and juveniles,- thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

MAHURANGI. On Saturday, the 21st, the public meeting called by the race committee was attended very meagrely, and those present adjourned from the Masonic Hall to the Warkworth Hotel, when a new committee was elected to conduct the business for the ensuing year, and after election the committee appointed Mr. Such to be chairman and Mr. C. Phillips treasurer. The new committee commence business with.a balance in hand of £16 and some odd shillings, and in order to increase this fund, and lay down the course in grass, a concert is proposed to be held at some future date. After giving instructions to the secretary re correspondence, the meeting dissolved. { The public meeting called for the consideration of the present position of the public library was held in the Pubic Hall, Warkworth, on Tuesday, the 24th, when only a few persons were present. As finance was the great difficulty to be grappled with, a long discussion ensued, during which the secretary and librarian stated that since the balance-sheet had been presented he had received some arrears of subscriptions, and that the amount in hand was £3 Us 9d. The liabilities to the end of the year would probably amount to £14, and that with subsections expected, and a little help, the library might be continued for. the present year. The following resolution was carried unanimously " That power be given to the incoming committee to wind up the affairs of this library, if nothing turns up during the year, by a considerable addition of subscribers or otherwise, to enable the library to be carried on successfully." The following were elected a committee for the ensuing year : —Rev. R. McKinney, J. M. King, N. Wilson, J. Wilson, E. Morison, A. Campbell, and W. J. Wilson. After which the committee elected the Rev. R. McKinney to be chairman and Mr. A. Campbell librarian. The librarian was instructed to use his best endeavours to collect arrears, and, if necessary, to take action through the R.M. Court. On Tuesday, the 24th, the scholars and teachers of the Sunday-school in connection with St. Columba's Presbyterian Church were entertained at the manse by Mrs. McKinney and family. The day was fine, and games suitable for all ages progressed favourably during the afternoon, and as supper advanced, a luxurious repast of good things was provided indoors, to which full justice was done, when hilarity was again to the front, and the party did not break up till the juvenile portion had to give way, thoroughly tired out, and all well pleased and grateful for kindness received from Mrs. McKinney, on this as well as previous occasions. i

On Wednesday, the 25th, the Rev. J. J. Mather, Wesleyan minister (who has recently returned from a visit to the old country), delivered his now popular lecture on what he saw on his journey, in the Masonic Hall, Warkvvorth. There was not a large attendance. The lecture was admirably illustrated by means of a magic lantern. A large number of views of places of particular interest were shown, with short histories and explanations of each, amongst which might be noted the chief towns of Australia and their architectural attractions ; thence to Ceylon, with notices of the natives, the Suez Canal, and Naples, with its : magnificent bay; the fortress and town of Gibraltar; and.then

came the lights of London in great variety, finishing with that wonderful building, the Tabernacle, and its world-famed preacher, the Rev. C. Spurgeon. At the close of his lecture, the rev. gentleman was greeted with applause, and a vote of thanks carried by acclamation, when the meeting dispersed well pleased and gratified with what had been seen and heard. On Easter Sunday the Oddfellows _of the District Lodge marched in procession from the lodge to St. Columba's- Church, when the Rev.' R. McKinney, chaplain, preached an eloquent, impressive, and appropriate sermon for the occasion, taking his text from the Gospel according to St. Mark x., 34. In the course of his sermon the rev. gentleman used the opportunity to remark on the benevolent and charitable character of the brotherhood of the order. — Correspondent.]

OMAPERE. A short time ago a most enjoyable picnic was given by the lady residents of Omapere, and, as usual, their efforts were crowned with success. Numerous invitations had been forwarded to the adjoining settlements, and which were accepted by a large number of settlers, their wives, and families. The weather, fortunately, was all that could be desired, and by noon the gathering presented quite a pretty spectacle. Extensive preparations had "been made for the reception of the visitors, and on this occasion the ladies really surpassed their already established fame in this respect. In the shade a sumptuous dinner was elegantly served, and the ladies, assisted by several of the gentlemen, did all in their power to minister to the comfort and, I should say, the appetites of their visitors. 'Tis a poor heart that never rejoices, and what with the beaming smiles of the ladies, the merry jokes and careless chat, the games and what not, all individual troubles (real or imaginary) must assuredly have vanished for one day at any rate. After dinner the usual games were indulged in by all, and towards evening another repast was thoughtfully provided. Like the earlier meal, everything was highly appreciated, and caused many expressions of surprise at the munificent scale on which all their wants had been provided for. I am quite sure that all were unanimous on one point, viz., that never had they spent a more enjoyable day, nor the ladies of Omapere better earned the reputation - they have long held for their hospitality and kindness. But the picnic was not all. At night a concert was given in aid of the Omapere Cricket Club, and, as might have been expected, was largely attended. This club has been fairly successful, and with a little more esprit de corps should eventually make a name for itself. This concert, I must state, is the first that has been held at the Heads, and has been the means of bringing to light no small amount of talent hitherto hid under a bushel and unknown. Mr. Winkelmaiin, a musician of considerable ability, played the overtures in a masterly style, and two pianoforte duets were contributed by Mesdames F. and E. Webster, Maxwell, and Rowe with great success. Messrs. Webster, Winkelmaiin, and Maxwell rendered some very good songs, as did also Mrs. and Miss Marriner. Special mention should, I think, be made of Miss Kitty Martin's song, which received a vociferous encore. This lady has a very sweet voice, which, with due cultivation, will undoubtedly bring her high repute. Financially, the concert was also a success, and the cricket club received a nice little addition to its funds. The inevitable dance followed the concert, and formed a suitable finale to the day's festivities.[Own Correspondent.]

WAINUI. A concert in aid of the school fund came off here on March '20. Through the untiring exertions of our new schoolmistress (Miss Judd) the whole affair proved a complete success. There was a crowded attendance, and several ladies and gentlemen from Kaukapakapa kindly assisted. Mr. Kinsey was in the chair. The following programme was gone through with the greatest of credit to all concerned, several pieces being encoredlnstrumental duet, "Bonaparte's Grand March," Miss Judd and Mr. T. Lloyd ; chairman's speech; glee, " The Bells of St. Michael's Tower," tne choir; song, "Remember or 'Forget," Mrs. Terry; recitation, " The Bashful Man," Mr. T. Lloyd; song, "Come. Birdie, Come," Miss Kinsey; quartet, " Vesper Hymn," Miss Judd, Messrs. Kinsey, Bond, and Lloyd; song, "Tread Softly, the Angels Are Calling," Miss E. Bond ; " He Rose," the choir ; song, " The Song That Reached My Heart," Miss Judd; instrumental duet, "March of the Mulligan Guards," Miss Judd and Mr. T. Lloyd; glee, " The Shepherds Tell Me," the choir; song, "Far Away," Miss Lambert; song, " Gipsys Wild Chant," Miss Judd; song, "No, Sir" Air. F. Kinsey; song, "Rest," Miss Ormistoii; recitation, Mr. Hamilton ; song, " When Sparrows Build" and Why Don the Men Propose?" Mrs. Goodwin ; duet, " Whispering Hope," Misses Kinsey and Judd; "John Brown's Body Lies Mouldering in the Grave," the choir; i National Anthem. The evening's entertainment closed with a dance, when Messrs. Glanvill, T. Lloyd, and H. Smith kindly 1 assisted with their violins. —[Wade Corres- j pondent.] ____________