COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8785, 27 January 1892, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

fFROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton. Tuesday. The Waikato Hospital, as will be seen in another column, is calling for tenders for a supply of sheeting and other bedroom linen requisites, to be sent in by the 2nd proximo. Several families are suffering more or less from Iα yrippe, in Hamilton. It appears that the swamp fire raging in what; is known as Williamson's Swamp was caused by a spark from the railway engine, : as was also that which endangered "jMr. Jolly's property and stacks on Saturday, destroying a quantity of fencing. The question ' has been raised whether the Government is ■ not responsible for damages so caused, It is I not the same as in the case of cattle killed ' upon the line. They are trespassers. It is J said that the Railway Department do not I attach spark-catchers to the funnels of the ' engines. 1 _ ~ ~ Oiiaupo, Tuesday. 1 It blew heavily yesterday, and again last > night, accompanied with rain, aud there is ' ev«ny appearance of a continuance of rain 1 which is most unfortunate for those whose J grain is in the field. Orchardists have felt ' the -wind aud rain 3everely. Most of the 1 fruit is under the trees, and the later plums 1 now fairly ripening, have been spoiled. t Mr. J. McNicol continues to receive fresh > entries for his sheep and ram fairs, to be held * here on the 3rd and 4th of February. In 1 consequence of the ram fair falling on the J Hamilton monthly sale day. Mr. McNicol t notifies that he will not hold his usual Ham- r ilton sale ou that day. a Cambridge, Tuesday. t Mr. W. J. Huuter announces that he will t sell the whole of Mr. Fallon's young medium r draught horses and contracting plant, work- * ing oxen, etc., at the Cambridge saleyards on Saturday. Mr. J. S. Bond's Waikato book almanac is bemg largely sold in the district, and con- I tains a history of Waikato and its several r townships, together with a map of the dis- ii trict, and will be found really useful to out- o siders. It is a very useful compendium s giving- a fair and impartial notice of the seve- o ral sub-districts, lista of local bodies offi- n cials, etc. *, m . Alexandra, Tuesday. w The crops are good in this district, but the n present rain will catch a few who have nofc a quite gathered ju their, harvest. The grai a d

orop on the Whatiwhatihoe native settlement has turned out well, though grain haa been taken from the same land year after year, and is most of it in stack. MAUKU. The annual picnic in connection with the St. Bride's Sunday-school was held at Winslade, the prop erty of Mr. R. L. Garland, on Wednesday, January 21, Mr. Garland having kindly placed his grounds and house at the disposal of the district for the occasion. The house is a recent erection in the neighbourhood, and is a well-finished one, and situated as it is on a nice elevation, commands a very pretty view of the district. In front of the residence there is a nice paddock sloping down to a delightful bit of New Zealand's natural forest, and nothing could have been better suited for the purpose of all. Mr. Garland had cleared away the underwood from a part of the bush, and there under the shade of the puriri, totara, kohekohe, etc., witli nikau and fern trees surrounded, and a gentle breeze to keep it cool, the spread was made for young and old, and from personal observation I can say that ample justice was done to all the good things provided, and they were indeed abundant. One of the features of the day was the presentation of the prizes to the children attending the school, and, besides the prizewinner in each class obtainiug a prize, a book was given to each child as a present, all being the gift of the superintendent of the school, Mr. Garland. There were also footraces for prizes, which were eagerly competed for ; and that charm to all children was well patronised, the swings, which were put up on the tall trees in the bush. At the conclusion of the day's pleasure a most hearty vote of thanks was moved to Mr. Garland for the use of his property, and three cheers were given for him, as also for the teachers and ladies who had worked towards the success of the day in providing that most important part of the day's proceedings—the food. As the shades of evening were drawing in, a general move was made homewards, a very pleasant day having, been spent. At the meeting of the Patumahoe School Committee, held on Saturday, January 16, Air. Buckhurst, of Whangarei, and Mr. H. Crispe, of Mauku, were nominated as candidates for seats on the Board of Education.— [Own Correspondent, January 21.] WAIPU. Ms. A. B. Wright, C.E., is expected here this week, he having been deputed by the Government to examine and report on the proposed new outlet to the. river, and the deviation of the main road at Lang's. A meeting in connection with the river worke took place on Saturday evening last, and was largely attended. A considerable sum ot money has been subscribed towards the project, and plenty of labour will be forthcoming. The meeting expressed a desire to begin operations in about three weeks' time, as the harvesting would be about finished then. The crops are turning out well, and the yield will be much better than was expected oii account of the well-timed rains that came on just before they began to ripen. Nearly all our young men have left us during the past week to resume their work on contracts in the kauri forests, where they have been engaged already during the summer. Bush work appears to be plentiful, and none who are able and willing to engage in it need be.idle; in fact, contractors have some difficulty in getting a full supply of competent men. Gumdigging has fallen off considerably here, there being only about fifteen or twenty men now digging where at one time there were as many as sixty.—[Own Correspondent.] RAHOTU. A. meeting of settlers in response to a notice convened by Mr. J. Mcßeyuolds, of Punga[•ehu, was held here on the 19th, the day Mr. Stevenson held a clearance sale, he havin«sold his farm, waa held to take into iideration what steps the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson and family would take to ;ive them some kind of a farewell entertainnent. Mr. Mcßeynolds was voted to the ;hair, and, as convener, he briefly explained ;he purpose of the meeting, which met with iniversal approval. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenion having been in the district since ;he formation of it, they are well known to nany, and have made many friends, in fact, )o enemies. Mr. Stevenson was always to he front in public matters—road board, iouuty council, harbour board, school comnittees, and gave very great satisfaction yhile there. It was decided to give Mr. Stevenson a supper or dinner, whichever they nay like to call it, at the Rahotu Hotel, on Thursday, the 4th of February next, under he able management of Mr. Brown, owner, f the hotel, which he will provide in firstlass style. • The ladies are to take charge f an affair for Mrs. Stevenson and family, in he shape of a picnic, with a dance in the choolroom in the evening. The loss of Mr. ud Mrs. Stevenson and family from here rill be great in more ways than one, Mrs. Iteveason having been always a lady at hand a any undertaking, also with her hospitality, jater on I shall have the pleasure of commenting on Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson's past areer, which will be a pleasure to chronicle, .1 though much sorrow is felt at their leaving he district.—[Own Correspondent.] WHANGAROA. )N Saturday, 16th instant, a very pleasing eremony took place at the Kaeo Lod-'e No 1, of the American Order of Oddfellows, ■ amely, the installation of the newly-elected ' fficers for tlie ensuing term. Thj Assistant . ) D.G.M., P.G. Brother Armiger, of the ' itar of Auckland Lodge, No. 26, assisted by ] >.G. McKay, Burgess, and Brother Neume- : en, acted as installing officer. The follow- i ig brothers were duly installed in form into a heir respective chairs : Brother A Faithful, ? i.G.; Brother T. Hayes, V.G. ; Brother A. i Jesbit, re-elected treasurer; Brother F L. * arndon, re-elected secretary : Brother J. ' 'la.veil, warden ; P.G. Brother Burgess, conductor, ami Brother Roebuck, guardian, 'he balance-sheet was read and confirmed, r nd although the large amount of sick pay, \ 33 12s 6d, was disbursed during the last | ;rm, there still remains the satisfactory ~ alance of £210 103 Hid to the credit of the !. ok fund ; to the management fund, £3 15s \d ; the benevolent fund has £20 2s 3d to its % ■edit, making a total of £239 8s 3d. This 7 lows that although a small lodge, its finanal position is thoroughly sound, which is iu t. eeping with the unique pesition of the ' •der as a whole in New Zealand, as certified „ f Mr. Edmund Mason, the Registrar of rieudly Societies. The Assistant D.D.G.M , v his remarks to the lodge at the u ose of the ceremony, while congratu- t ting_ the members on the excellent l\ inditiou of the funds, impressed on the r> embers the necessity of carefully con- Zrving them, and the importance of a correct p turner of keeping the accounts. He also ged the brothers to loyally support and en- *' urage the officers by frequent attendance m lodge, and thereby contribute to maintain f> at efficiency in carrying out the work of *' e order, so imperative to command success. J [Own Correspondent.] PARUA BAY. § hat may be considered the closing event d> our New Year's festivities took place on ai lesrlay, the 12th instant, when our annual E mui was held at the Rolling Bank. There bi is a splendid, muster of settlers, and, of sv I course, a greater one of small fry. Sports a were engaged in throughout the day, durin" hj which a plentiful supply of cocoanuts, IoH wi lies, apples, &c, were distributed amongst he the children. Some got them as prizes For ea winning in the different events of the day, wl Dthers got them for losing, and others for se< iot trying to do either. One young gentle- wi nan had the honour of winning a "silver w ;")]> °f which he was not a little proud to: Uus, I suppose, will have to be handed ho .town through many generations of 411- si; .voods as an heirloom. In the evening, the Hv ;ide being full in, a boat race was got up re ;or young ladies, which eventuated in a win th or the boat pulled by Miss Mallabond and 12 Miss Martha Harnett, Edward Harnett m<

■wocwug. xx very interesting swimmiug natch was won by Fred Telter, Wynn Rees pi Ponsonby) coming second. During the Hushing scenes a lucky-bag was taken •onnd, out of which every child on the pound was permitted to draw a ticket >eanng a certain mysterious number, which Hey were informed would entitle them to a u-esent bearing a corresponding number to »e found hanging on the branches of a very landsome gift tree, which had been very anuly provided by Mrs. Huett and Mr. R. ianiett (storekeepers). The tree was hung vith 100 toys, which were nearly all claimed iy little folks producing tickets drawn from he mysterious lucky-bag. Did 1 but feel in he slightest degree equal to the task I rould attempt a description of the different aces ot the youngsters as they received their rizes from this wonderful tree. But, alas ! cannot, and so must leave that for readers o imagine for themselves. After seeing the iany proud little kings and queens trudging way with a couple ot large cocoanuta under ieir arms, and, in default of another hand lie toys slung about them, I can safely brin* lyselt to say they all thoroughly enjoyed iieir picnic—[Own Correspondent.] TE PUKE. r is my pleasant duty to record the marage at Te Puke, on Thursday, the 14th istant, of Mr. Ernest Woodward Boucher, t ivempsey, Te Puke, to Miss Anna Vercoe, icond daughter of Mr. Henry \\. Vercoe, t Fairtield, Te Puke. It was with some lisgiviugs that the friends of the happy Ml , looked on the dripping aspect of the eather in the early morning, buc, fortuitely, the skies cleared by noon,♦and, though rather cloudy, it proved a cool and 1 slightful day. The service, which took '

William Goody* f r, of Maketu, 1*? V I sence of a larls number of £*&& f§ friends from all parts of the di» - etß w U came to offer thkr congratulating " ct *£ H tify to the well!-erv^SJ*** I bride and bridegroom, Mrs t> of «, i sided at the harmonium, playlet o£ i march from " Heracles" on tR? MS i bridal party, andUhe " Weddin, , of t!i B after the conclusion of the cerem rc h' 11 bride, who was gixten away by \ H was very prettily attred in white aL itil <* M blossom, and attended by her tv".*>"■ m (Ethel and Jessie), a&> tastefully 1° sist j| white and heliotrope Mr. Claud- S" 6 ' 1 '» M acted as best man, asyd Mr. Percv p er B as groomsman. The Redding breakf H served at the residence of Mr a?« 8 Henry Vercoe, adjoint the hall \\ B large marquee, tasteblly decorated re 4 H flowers and ferns, had teen erected t> * 1: « i m nent upon the table wa the large an u 0 " 1 S some wedding cake, wiich, though nf i H manufacture, was a mot; skilful s°ier>i J ' B confectionery. The hellth of thebriT" °'' P bridegroom was propoad by the R ? a "? 1 Goodyear in a few wet-chosen word' • I suitably responded to h Mr. Bouchi. ' aa 4 1 the toast of " The Bridesmaids '• " \i* r, 1 Mrs. Vercoe," and 'fl'he Ladies" % duly honoured. The nJwly-married r* ere I left for Rotorua at 5 pp., amidst at ; I of congratulations and rp, which was ■ I renewed when passing! through Te t? aia I 'township. From Rotoriti they will riw* 8 8 Taupo and Napier. Tie festivities L"* I kept up to about twelve y clook, and da • 1 was carried on to the lfcely .strains of \i D ° ft Brady's violin. Mr. andlMrs. Vercoe a m be congratulated on th| prettiest wed! 10 H which has taken place in Te Puke S "merry as the marriage bells" was in'rW B the motto throughout the day. The'pre> - f? > made a charming array, old wer* as v * e ?'i if as they were elegant.—[Own Corresponded I | POLLOK| I Here we are again ! throning the deck* I the s.s. Manukau, as she attained down ■ ; river from Wtiinku on one pi her berinii , 1 pleasure trips. January 12,;havin" on \,l I the Waiaku Cavalry Volunteer braTsfei I under the leadership of 'the denial \f' 1 Batchelor. All were in their uniform T' m day was charming. Each (member of T 8 joyful party on board were lint on pleasure H seemingly happy with themstlves and all th" m world. The harmonious stains of J' PP blended so well with the general feelb' I that everything seemed to wear a row II hue. _ Quite a little crowd yere waiting m the intermediate ports to oome on board 1 when the band would burst forth a joyV H strain of music—*' Come ti the Bow* 1 81 Have Shaded For You." the ladies J ! shore seemed to arch their feet, and stwi 8 on tiptoe, like the sensitive war horw I rearing up his stately form, ready t If rush intothe heart of battle. In s t ea af B ing down the river the band, played strH IS tunes as "Two Hearts Tint feat" a !l One," " A Home on the Rolling Deep " "t?. M Golden Rose," The Happy Pai-'" «n if Ne'er Forget." One charming little f air g| queen of beauty, with lips like ripe cherria M was overheard to say to her sweetheart' il " Dear George, how delightful this musici] 11 along with all our happiness ! H«l Cissr II Mary, and Jack known of the music the? If would all have been here." I say so too If With easy steaming, our vessel got safelv if moored into her little cove, nearly outbid? 18 the Heads, at noon. My little party were P bent on seeing the limestone caves, some B little distance along the shore northwards' iS However, the most of the company settled 1 down near the band. Kettles on fires a'! i round the rocks; snowy table covers spread If out in all directions, filled with good cheer' M picnics by the score. After bfcing refreshed' P promenade and dance parties formed them- *f selves round about on the greatest dancinj | floor that ever I —acres broad, capable i of holding all the dancers in the provincial Hf district of Auckland at one (time—danein* i the lancers, quadrilles, Scottish reels, strath" I speys, and_ country dances into the bargain. I This_ dancing floor is the most romantic- I looking place possible, not fur from where I the warship Orpheus was lost, the nearest B part on shore. At every flow of the tide the 11 floor is covered with water, but at ebb 1* it is quite dry, hard sand, perfectly level and I! cool, surrounded with the most grotesque- m looking island rocks, like to many grim, m looking rocky sentinels of long ago. The fj rocks are of a most curious formation, like 1 mountains of water-worn boulders, shicde, I and gravel cemented together into a perfect § concrete. I hear some people calling it pud- fl§ ding rock, which it strongly resembles. One fi in particular is like a huge Christmas pad- I ding, thirty or forty feet high, placed on : I large oval dish, about a quarter of an acre in p extent. It appears to be very rich with ffl plums, varying from an inch "to a foot ii m liatneter. The band pitched on the sands v ft little further out, although great rocks were ft an their right, left, and rear. Their music- g| stands formed a square, and the bandmaster II inside. Much grand music and fine dancing 1 was performed there. My attention waj f| called to two tunes, the composition of Mr. »1 Batchelor. They were most beautiful, ana, IS \ as far as I could judge, perfect. I had onlv |1 time to see one of the many caves. It i< |l 270 feet long, 60 feet broad, and about 3£ M feet high. It is called the Cathedral Cave. 1 I expected to see stalactites, but there were fj none. Our little party gathered in a shot; j§ bime to a little crowd. I took the chair on a i Jig stone, and called on several ladies and ji gentlemen to sing songs, some of whom sung S veil. One youug lady (a Miss Evans, from | \whitu) sang very sweetly " Lily Dale," I ' Teddy O'Neil," and " The 'Ship that Never 1 Returned." Shortly after 5 p.m. the firs: g ■ lound of the warning whistle resounded I .mong the rocks, and by-;md-bye a second I earning to bring in the stragglers. Soon | ,fter we were homeward bound, the bane m ilaying alternately " Home, Sweet Home, | ' The Blithe Blink o . My Ane Fireside," and sfj Auld Lang Syne."—[Own Correspondent. 1 ' OMAHA. ' J Ik December 30 Mr. and Mrs. William I Jrown gave an "At Home" in the Public lil lall to celebrate the completion of their new | esidence, which is built on the point of land I t the entrance to the harbour, and forms a |S leasing feature in the landscape from which- » yer direction you approach the settlen eat, fi 'heir previous residence was burned down Iβ a Christmas Eve two years ago by a spwk |: tiling on the shingles, Mrs. Brown actiß? Sβ ith great pluck in rescuing her children and i lost of their furniture from, the burning I iass, an account of which appeared in the I Weekly News at the time.' The present tm 3iise is a handsome structure, containin: gR in rooms and finished off in good style, all I ie rooms being varnished and papered I ut the rooms were too small to aecommodatt | > large a company as were invited, so the Iμ üblic Hall was secured for the occasion, I id was tastefully decorated with nikati, ij| eeping ferns, and pohutukawa blossonu. H ea was served at six o'clock, to which about |®J iOsat down, and did ample justice to the mm :ry excellent edibles which graced the i'» bles. When the shades of evening wer; I ! rawing in the hall was lit up for the cus- Ml mary dance, which pastime never lose 3ia | iarm for the country youth. Between the plj mces_ songs were given by Miss Hardio; i||i id Miss Henrickson, and Messrs. W. ani 1 . Brown, C. Cooper, J. Salt, and F. Sava?e; |ij it what pleased the company most was * jjj j feet little song sung by Miss Leah Brown. youthful lady of five summers, accompanied | 1 ' her father on the violin. Mrs. Brown M is indefatigable in her endeavours to make | j r guests happy, introducing strangers to aI ch other, and finding partners for those gj io needed them. In, fact we have seldom p|J 2ii a hostess who discharged her duties O th such grace and ladylike ability. I j ;i;e pleased to meet our old friends, Tece- |?l lii and Rahui, father and mother of our i|| st, whom we had known since the early || 1 :ties, but who for some time have been ||1 ing at the Little Barrier. They looked i j narkably well and happy, surrounded by | 1 eir amiable family. Supper was served a: ||l o'clock, after which dancing was reeom- 1 I :nced and kept up till break of clay, d* H|l lore separating, a cordial vote of thanks to ggi Mr. and Mrs. Brown for their splendid en- 1g \ tain men was proposed by Mr. C- Cooper, g seconded by Mr. E. Dyer, and carried by a?; fc..| clamation. The general verdict is tlwt ' [ || ; :| wa3 the best entertainment that has been || given in this district for many a long day.-BRa [A Correspondent.] * ■ / I MANGAPAI. V j A most successful meeting of the local branci J| f of the Blue Ribbon Army was held in tM | I Presbyterian Church on the 12th inst. }°* m 1 meeting, which was as nearly as V oSS }. m I religious, being for the purpose of prompt"-, p I sobriety among settlers, opened and ciose jg ■ with prayer. A good variety of useful as p«| well as amusing lessons were given. Hymn ipa 72 and 10 (HoyFe's) and 66 and 63 (SankeysJ | • were given at intervals. Mrs. Green _ ~| j two readings, "Home of the Giants « & 1 "Settlement in Backwoods," in be a utni" ■» style. Mr. P. McKay's recitations, " b^ m ' j||| Bachelor" and "Tarn o' Shauter, wew ||«.| simply first-class in style. Mr. l'/ a .,-. I■ I songs, "What is the Use of Complaiuins,- | ■ and "The Russian Czar." in answer to a" I encore, were well rendered. Mr , . I songs were also well received. Misses | B and Harrison presided at the 101111111 I§ « Scarce had we recovered from the snov | |< caused by Miss Lee's death when • l " r, ' I Osbourn, who had been out working on ' jtfc | farm, fell down in a fainting fit, ancl - Ip 1 carried home in quite a helpless state. I ■ complained of great pain in the cnest. ' m ■ Bell was telegraphed for, but did i> 06 MM till near nine at night, although a teie=, aE || I was seac before rive, and under his treat" j 6|J m Mr. Osbourn is recovering. Enlargement m g the liver was the cause of trouble, causeu i. \ e too hard work.—[Own Correspondent. ; J