COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8719, 9 November 1891, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from our own correspondents. J Hamilton, Saturday. A large number of persons went down to Auckland yesterday by train. What with the exodus to the Agricultural Show, and the rain, the town appears quite deserted.

Strawberries, which should have begun to be plentiful now. in so early a season as this, will, it has been stated, be scarce in Waikato. Whether or no through scarcity of other food (and this seems probable from the flocking of these birds to the call of the feeding of poultry, as in winter), the sparrows have made an attack on the strawberries, and have . taken to them wonderfully. The blackbirds were nuisance enough, but once let the sparrows make a fair set cu them, and strawberries, unless grown under nets, will be a tiling of the past. There was a full meeting of the Ririkiriroa Road Board yesterday, but no business of any public interest was undertaken, because, perhaps, the Board has no funds at its disposal. Two or three small works were asked for by settlers, but they were met by the stereotyped reply, "No funds available," and passed over. The only matter of interest perhaps, was ths making out a list of about a dozen occupiers of land to be warned to have the furze cut down on the public roads adjoining their holdings. Messrs. Coates and Metcalfe have, it is understood, undertaken another contract in Palmerston North, an extension of the waterworks scheme which they so successfully carried out for that town some two or three years ago. The nomination of a mayor for the borough of Hamilton takes place on Tuesday, the 17th instant, and the polling, should there be a contest, on the 25th. The nomination for the borough of Cambridge has been fixed for the same day. It is time that the burgesses were up and busy, if they mean to protest against Km proposed interference with the Waikato md Waipa electorates as fixed by the commissioners. The object of this interference is to weaken the influence of Hamilton by leaving one-half the borough in the Waikato and the other half in the Waipa electorate. This the burgesses, through their Mayor and Council, have already objected to, put more active steps of opposition must bo at once taken.

At a meeting of the members of the Hamilton Cricket Club held last night to appoint a captain and deputy-captain for the season, there was a full attendance, and Mr. N. Pv. Cox occupied the chair. Mr. W. Von Sturmer was elected captain, and Mr. C. J. W. Barton deputy-captain. Cambridge, Saturday. _ A Mr. Tutchen, of Gisborne, has, it is reported, purchased Mr. Alfred Buckland's property (part of|the Gwynnelands estate) and will shortly take up the occupation of it. Mr John Mullions, who has been in charge of the property since Mr. Seager Buckland left Waikato, will remain in charge. Ohaufo, Saturday. It is stated that the 59 ram hoggets, purchased at Mr. J. McNicol's stud ram sale, at Lochiel, the other day, by Mr. James Bailey, of Fencourt, for the Auckland Agricultural Company, have been since shorn, and yielded an average fleece of 141b. These sheep had, of course, some sixteen to eighteen months' wool on them. A mistake appeared in the price paid for them in all the papers, in the report of the sale, some six guineas, instead of three guineas, being about the average. Some few, indeed, were amongst the top price realised that day. Farmers are very busy, and a scarcity of labour is being felt. The local bodies can scarcely get more than one or two tenders for local works, where lately half-a-dozen were sent in, and now only at an advance of 30 per cent, in prices. Morrinsville, Saturday. Mr. Witheford's circular re the selling ol the railways was produced by the clerk at the late meeting of the Piako County Council on Monday, but the members of the Council said they had heard quite enough of the matter, and refused to allow the circular to be read.

Rotorua, Saturday. The tourist traffic during the past week was 22 arrivals. There are now 33 remaining at the hotels. The total arrivals for the past month were 111. The bath returns for the same period, as furnished by Mr. Malfroy, showed that 1653 baths were taken, of which 575 were for Hospital patients. The cash receipts were £24 5s 6d. For the corresponding month last year 777 baths were taken, and the cash receipts were £15 16s 6d, thus showing an increase of 886 baths, and £9 cash in favour of the past month. Amongst the visitors here at present ia Mrs. Masson, a lady from Melbourne, who arrived three weeks ago, suffering from an acute attack of rheumatism, and required the constant attendance of a nurse.. The lady in question is taking the Priest's Bath daily, and deriving considerable benefit thereby. She will leave for Waiwera next week, but hopes to return here again shortly on a prolonged visit. The fascines for staking off the Ohau channel are now being cut, and will be placed in position next week, so that this most ""P tant undertaking is likely to be brought t successful issue at last.