COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8540, 14 April 1891, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAIMATE NORTH.

PICNIC AT MANGAWAL

[from our own correspondents.] Hamilton, Monday. Mr John Knox held a satisfactory auction sale of produce on Saturday. There was a good attendance. The following prices were realised :-Oats (inferior), Isjld; potatoes, 3s 6d; onions, Id; fowls, 10d: turkeys 3s 3d : cheese, 3d; cabbages, If d each ; apples, 1M tier lb. As was the case last season, the onioEs are imported, and the cabbages are being sent from the Pukekohe district, Waikato not producing its own vegetables, and t Temperance Hotel has changed hands, a Mrs. Allen being the purchaser, whose hnsband was formerly a resident of Alexandra. , ~ i .There was only a small attendance atthe meeting of the' Hamilton Football Club, which was held on Saturday evening. Mr. \V Hammond was re-elected captam ana Mr. M. Hume vice-captain. A strong committee was also appointed. It was decided to send a team to Auckland during the season to try conclusions with one ot the town clubs. A practice match will be held on Sydney Square on Saturday next. Tamahebe, Monday. At the monthly meeting of the Tamahere Highway District Board, on Friday, the chairman (Captain Bunciman) and Messrs. Furze and Wheeller, were present. Messrs. Runciman and Furze were authorised to inspect the road from Hanstoids gate to the Tawhare factory with a view to making improvements thereon, and to get half-a-mile of tea-tree cut on the road near Briarly. They were also authorised to have the repairs on the Eureka road made, as resolved on at the previous meeting. __ , Otoroiiaxga, Monday. The Native Land Court opened on Wednesday morning in the re-hearing of the Mantjawliero Block, Judges Barton and Von Stunner, and Tuta Tamati, Native Assessor, presiding. Mr. Gerring acted as interpreter, and Mr. Percival as clerk. Te Ahiwaka Taniwha, who opposed the re-hearing, asked for an adjournment, as his conductors had deserted him. Pepene Eketone, who appeared on behalf of the applicants, did not object under the circumstances, and after some argument the adjournment was granted until 10 a.m. on Thursday, on which day Toi, a witness for the applicants gave evidence. After a few questions by Mr. Henry Edwards, acting for Ngatikaikaramu hapu, withdrew his objection to the applicants' case. The only objection now is that of Te Ahiwaka Taniwha. The case will most likely be finished within the next ten days. The natives' conduct in court was most orderly and quiet, and the Judges seemed to have made a good impression. The Commissioners are expected here to-day, when they will be met by a number of chiefs of importance. Their visit will probably interfere with the sitting of the Land Court for a short time. Te Akoha, Monday. Mr« Thaxter, of Waihou, had an apopletic fit last Friday. Mr. Thaxter, becoming alarmed, went to call a neighbour, and, on returning, found Mrs. Thaxter unconscious, in which state she remained till her death, at half-past four on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Lennard, daughter of Mrs. Thaxter, arrived by Saturday's train too late to see her mother alive.

ARATAPU. Two or three complaints have been made of late of young lads indulging in furious riding. The youngster gets hold of a horse which looks slim and sleek, probably for want of a good feed, and they have an idea that it is a racer alα Carbine; so, to prepare it for the Mangawhare Races, they make a training course of the main road. Some young fellows, making great speed down the road the other evening, came very unexpectedly on to a milk cart jogging along. Two of them were thrown somewhat forcibly, but did not, I think, sustain any very serious injury. Our footballers are preparing for the cotniing season, and evidently mean to keep the reputation they have gained. The club expects a visit from Helensville early in the iieason in return for the one they paid that township last season. On that occasion our Iboys were barely beaten, though no credit is due to Helensville for the victory they iscored, as they got Ike Mills up from town ispecially to play for them, and therefore did not win on their merits. It is expected that there will be several clubs on the river this season to make things a bit lively. Kopuru has already formed a club, and Opanake and the natives will probably each produce a team: Waipu owe us a visit, and are looked forward to, for when our boys went there a tight game ended in a draw, ..neither side scoring. An interesting rifle match took place on the Aratapu-Kopuru Rauge last Saturday between teams picked by Messrs. Woodhead and Walker. The contest was a veryclose one. At the '200 yards Mr. Woodhead s team were three points ahead; at the 300 yai ds their opponents drew up to within one of them; and when leaving the 400 yards range the scores were just equal. The 500 yards settled the match in favour of Mr. Walker's team by eight points. At the 300 yards range Mr. Charles Molloy made the excellent score of 23 out of a possible 25. Mr. James Barbour has two twin fore-and-aft schooners building in his yard. He expects to have them completed within six weeks, and will then go over with them to Queensland. He expects to receive further orders from the same quarter. The Kauri Company have repaired their wharf, which is now substantial and supplied with iron tram lines. Old railway irous have been laid down in ail the main trams, and an accession of power gained thereby. The number of stacks is becoming considerable, but it is not everywhere that you will see such well-built stacks as we have here. The little settlement at the Flaxmill was all alive and stirring on Good Friday, that being the day fixed for their first soiree and concert in connection with the Wesleyan circuit. The tables were given by friends, and presided over by Miss Ada Trounson, Mrs. Trounson, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Kerr. They were well filled, between 60 and 70 persons being present. Passengers from Dargaville were conveyed on the Kaihu Valley Railway 'in three trucks, and added greatly to the gathering. When the tea was over the building was prepared for the concert, which was rendered in an excellent style. Mr. Trounson occupied the chair, and evidently felt pleased at the success of the Flaxmill soiree. The Rev. F. T. Joiies proposed a vote of thanks to all who had assisted, and the call was heartily responded to. Some £5 or £6 was the amount realised, t It will be devoted to the circuit fund.

Mr. Charles Davies, a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Queensland, has commenced business here as a consulting and dispensing chemist. Iwo shillings single and three shillings return are now the fares asked by the Northern River Steam Navigation Company' for the distance for which they asked twelve shillings and sixpence single and one pound return a few months ago.—[Own Correspondent, April 3.] The promoters of the concert and tableaux vivants in aid of the Anglican Church here were very unfortunate in the selection of an evening for their appearance before the public. Friday last was the day fixed for the concert and dance, and it turned out the wettest day we have had for months back. Towards afternoon the rain came down heavily, and continued on with but slight intermisions till well into the night. People could not be expected to turn out on such a night, and consequently the performance was late in beginning, and the attendance very small. The programme was unique and interesting, and when the performance is repeated, its fame will have spread, and a good attendance may safely be looked for. The following programme was gone through, and many items were well done, and received marked applause : —Opening glee, " Where Art Thou, Beam of Light?" the choir; comic song, " Gently Does the Trick," Mr. F. Walker; song, " Marguerite," Mr. Edmonds ; comic song, "The Ballyhooly Blue Ribbon Army," Mr. Forsdick ; ballad, " Auld Robin Gray" (illustrated with tableaux), Mrs. Black ; comic song, " Far Away," Mr. F. Robinson; song, " Death of Nelson," Mr. Lindley; comic song, " The Widow McCarthy," Mr. F. Walker; tableaux, " Where Are You Going, My Pretty Maid?" song, " Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep," Rev. Mr. Boler ; song, "Tobias and Bianca," Mr. Forsdick; tableaux, " Before and After Marriage." The p.s. Osprey made a special trip last Saturday from Helensville up our river, apd brought 780 sheep with her. Five hundred were for the Omu Block, the recently-pur-chased property of our new settlers, Messrs. Brown and Mansill, and the Osprey delivered them on to the farm. The remainder of the sheep were for Mr. A. C. Harding, of Aoroa, near Mount Wesley. Mr. M. Harding, of Horehore, tells me ' that experience learnt by experiment has proved that the advice given by your il Agricola " to " A. J.G.,"of Arapohue, is not good. He and his brothers have tried the breeding of the black-faced sheep with the Romney Marsh, and the result was not a success. He intends, I believe, to write "Agricola " on the subject. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Aratapu Public Library is to be held on Saturday next, in the large room of the institution, to hear the reports and accounts for the past year, and to elect a committee of management for the next term. Our post and telephone office nas been removed to new and convenient premises lately erected to the order of Mr. John Stallworthy,

who intends shortly to open in the stationery and news agent line of business. ' We have had some very heavy rain and high tides this week, so much so that; the lower lying gardens have been flooded. Miss Watson has taken up her position as assistant teacher at the public school here, i n place of Aliss Pascoe, who now has charge of a small school near Wellsford. Ducks seem to be very plentiful about our creeks this season, and large numbers are easily bagged. The Anglican Church people of this pl ace have determined to hold a bazaar in November next, and are already making preparations for the same. A sewing bee is held every week in the comfortable room of our public library, and the ladies attend well. The Rio Loge brig is now almost a full shin at our wharf. The Grasmere, Vision, and Annie Wilson are at Kopuru. Mr. New, who has lived at the Kopuru for a great many years, and has made himseil very useful in that place, left last Tuesday for his farm at Pahi. On Monday evening the people of Kopuru assembled in the putt lie hall and presented him and his family with a silver tea service, and him with a gold watch chain. Mr. Adam Barclay made the presentation in a few well chosen remarks, and Mr. New responded. The latter gentleman will be very much missed in many ways ; he was very handy in the line of amateur surgery, and many a sufferer has been relieved by him.—[Own Correspondent.]

Mr. W. L. Rees, M.H.R., and others belonging to the Native Lands Commission, arrived here on Thursday, April 2, and left on Saturday, April 4. Their visit does not seem to have created much excitemeni amonct the Maoris. , Chief Judpe Seth Smith is holding a .Nativj Land Court here now. It is expected thai he will get through his work by Saturday, On Thursday, April 2, the Waimate Debate Club gave the first of their monthly public entertainments for the season. On account of several disappointments the programme was not so long as usual, but still a good beginning was made in these desirable meetings.—[Own Correspondent.]

Ok Tuesday, the 7th instant, a number of young menj residents on the Beach, gave a picnic, and invited their neighbours and friends, to the number of about 60. The Heads was selected for the rendezvous. Boa j= were in reauisition, and a pleasant trip w« much enjoyed. Blue Ribbonism was in the ascendant. The amount of delicacies was ample, and the quality beyond all praise. As the tide was early, the whole day was occupied, and the return was in good time and good order. The day was very fine, neither too hot or too cold, and nothing transpired but what was conducive to happiness and comfort. Our Beach friends are getting famous for successful and select picnics. May they go on and prosper.—[Own Correspondent.]

OMAHA. Ox Saturday night, March 28th, a publi« meeting wds held in the hall for the purpose of receiving the accounts of the late Show, and electing a committee of management ta carry out the Show next year ; Mr. W. Greenwood was chairman. Mr. C. S. Clarke (secretary) read the accounts, which showed the total receipts to be £70 Is 4d, and the expenditure £60 0s lid, leaving a balance ia hand of £10 03 sd. He explained that there was still a small account not paid, which would reduce the balance to about £6. The amount paid in prizes was £45 13s. The accounts were audited by Mr. David Darroch, and certified as being correct. It was decided that the committee for next year's Show consist of eleven subscribers. Twenty-three persons then put down their names as subscribers of 10s each.The following persons wer« elected a committee to carry out next years show —Messrs. William 2Seeley, Charles S. Clarke, J. B. Birdsall, Henry Brown, Thos. Handley, Charles Whitley, William Greenwood, John C. Wyatt, Alex. Matheson, Thos. F. Ashton, and William Lane, besides the 30 local subscribers of 10s each who exhibited at the late show. The committee beg to acknowledge and return their sincere thanks to the following gentlemen who gave special prizes or subscribed to the funds of the late show, viz. : —R. Thompson, Esq., M.H.R., £1; Messrs. S. C. Baird, £1 ; Wilsons and Horton, £1 ;G. Foster, £1; Ehrenfried Bros, £1 Is ; Hunter and Nolan, £1 Is: Arthur and Buddie, 10s 6d : Groom and Co.. 10s 6d ; H. B. Morton, 10s 6d : E. J. Harper, 10s 6(1; W. Lane, 10s; C. A. Walter, 10s; C. E. Leeds, 10s ; C. Dyer, 10s ; Cruickshank Bros., 10s ;A. Trotter, 10s ; E. Sarah, 10s; A. Buckland, 10s ; G. W. Binney, 10s ; W. Bridttman, 10s; A. and W.Brooke, 10s ; R. Hall. 10s; W. Gunson, 10s -, Wingate, Burns and Co., 7s 6d ; J. Burton, 7s; W. Smith, S. Croker, J. Anderson, 5s each ; J. H. Field, Boylan and Tanfield,'2s 6d each ; A. and W. Meiklejohc (timber), 7s 6d ; H. B. Morton (goods), 12s; Cuthbertson and Morton (goods), £1 17s; T. Laybourn (goods), £1 6s; E. Ellingham (goods), £1 4s; J. Earle (goods), £1 ss; Cruickshank and Miller (goods), £1; E. Porter and Co. (goods), £1; T. and S. Morrin and Co. (goods), 18s; New Zealand Drug Company (goods), 10s. It was decided that the committee meet again on the 25th April, to revise the schedule for next year's show. The library committee beg to thank the proprietors of "Typo" for sending that periodical regularly. We have just received the number for March, which contains a lot of interesting reading.—[Own Correspondent.]