COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8882, 19 May 1892, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Wednesday. Yesterday a horse belonging to Mr. T. M. Hill, butcher, of Hamilton, met with a singular accident. He was scratching his head against a barb wire fence, when one of the barbs entered the animal's eye tearing it completely from its socket. Te Awamuto, Monday. Te Miri Rangi Tohereri, chief of the Ng-iti-wairangi, who was arrested and brought before the Bench on Saturday, charged with brutally assaulting his wife at Kihikihi, has so taken the arrest to heart that he has not tasted food since his arrest, and is now so utterly prostrate that it was resolved yesterday to send him down to the hospital at Hamilton. He is pouri that a chief of his importance should be arrested, but no doubt when he finds that a few pints of oatmeal gruel and strong soups have been pumped into his stomach nolens volens, he will come to the conclusion that he may as well take his food in the ordinary way. and abandon the pouri game as obsolete. His unfortunate wife is still lying in the hospital in a critical condition.

KiHiKim, Wednesday. It is to be hoped that when Mr. F. Lawry and Mr. Andersen go over the Waotu track, a thorough investigation of all connected with it will made, so that an exhaustive description will be ready to lay before Ministers and the House. The importance to the settlers all along the line, and those in Hawke'a Bay, a 8 much as those in Waikato for the proposed new road, would save two days in driving sheep from one district to the other. Experts who have used the track say that £500 almost would make a good road of it, and save 15 miles between Waotu and Waikato. The present road from Waotu to Cambridge is 36 miles, and to get from Cambridge to any part of Waipa means from a few miles to 'JO in the case of such districts as Kihikihi, Te Awamutu, and the other aide of the Waipa River. This saving of distance would enable the Waotu fencing material of the best quality to be brought at very reasonable rates into all parts of Upper Waipa. At present it is sent to Lichfield by dray, some 10 miles, shipped thence by rail, and sent round via Hamilton, and thence on by rail into the Ohaupo, Te Awamutu, and Kihikihi districts. By the newly proposed road it would be carted direct into Upper Waikato for 30s per 100 posts. What is wanted is, that the Government should construct the road, and that the Waipa County should include the Maungatautiri block within its boundary (at present a sort of no-man's land as regard* local government), and afterwards maintain this road and other works therein. A great saving in the cost of driving cattle and sheep by this road into Waikato would be effected, and the stock itself would arrive in all the better condition from the shortened journey.

[by thlegkaph—OWN" correspondents]. Hamilton, Wednesday. At the Borough Council meeting last night there were present, Messrs. Bell (in the chair), Sandes, Salmon, Slade, Wood, Salmon, and Scott. The adjourned meeting of the Burgess Review Court was held. No objections were made to the roll passed and signed. Mr. D. Salmon took his seat. £73 17s 6d was passed as payment to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. A letter was received from the Municipal Association ofNew Zealand asking the Council to join, and pay the subscription two guineas a year. The Council declined for the present year. The question of making the river walk was deferred for another month.

Six entries have already been received for the cup, six for the half-mile, and seven for the hurdles, in the Hamilton Birthday sports on Sydney Square. Whatawiiata, Wednesday. The polling yesterday for the return of a member to the Newcastle Highway Board was as follows: — Harris 18, A. Dawson 11. Mr. R. Harris was declared duly elected.

HUNUA. A miscellaneous entertainment was given in the school house on Tuesday, May 10, consisting of songs, pianoforte solos, dialogues, and performances by the Drury Minstrel Troupe. The concert was arranged and carried out by a committee of ladies and gentlemen, the members being Mrs. Lockwood and the Misses Stewart, Crouch, and Rhodes, and Messrs. Lockwood, A. Stewart, W. Stewart, and Crouch. The proceeds are to be applied for the better lighting of the church and school, the light of which for some time has been very dim indeed. The following programme was gone through :— The opening selection was a pianoforte solo entitled " Massa's in the Cold, Cold Ground," played by Miss I). Lynch, of Papakura; song, "At the Window," Miss Cossey; song, "Some Day I'll Wander Back," Miss Toomey ; song, " Call Me Back," Miss Quinn, of Auckland; duet, Mr. G. and Miss Creighton ; pianoforte solo, selection of Scotch airs. Miss Lynch; song, Kiss Me, | Mother," Miss Toomey; song, '' Killaloe," Mr. George Rhodes ; song, " \lona." Miss Quinn; duet, All's Well," Mr. and Miss Creighton ; solo, " Barn Dance," in variations, Miss Lynch; song, "I'm Selling Up My 'Appy Home," Mr. George Rhodes, encore "By-bye, Baby." The Drury Minstrel Troupe contributed several songs to the delight of the young people. Mr. Fla-uighan, tambourine: Mr. Lowe, bones. The best items were" Uncle Jefferson," by the company. "The Old Man is not What lie Used to Was" and the " Little Log Cabin Down the Lane," bv Mr. Flanighan. A stump speech oil " Woman's Rights" was a little too-too. The second part was a dialogue entitled "The Shy Young Man," the parts being taken by young ladies and gentlemen of the district, and all acquitted themselves to the entire satisfaction of the audience which filled the schoolroom The room was then cleared for dancing, which was kept til) till four a.m. by some "30 couples. Mr. W. Rhodes acted as M.C. The ladies looked very charming, and the honours of belle were given to Miss Birdie Kiely. Miss Lynch, Mrs. Creighton _ (nee Rhodes), on piano, and Mr. J. Reid, on violin, very kindly supplied the dance music. Refreshments of the cup that cheers, etc., were handed round. The gross proceeds of the evening's amusement were £2 15s 6d. Thus ended one of the most successful entertainments that has taken place in Hunua. Mr. George Crouch acted as chairman at the request of the committee, and by an oversight thanks were not accorded to friends for their kindly assistance, so by the wish of the committee I am asked to do so for the help ■they gave.—[Own Correspondent.]

TUAKAU. There was a scare in the settlement this week among the unlicensed shooters. An individual, travelling as an insurance agent, turned (nit to be a ranger as well. Not until he had shown more than usual interest for an insurance agent in the success of various shooters did it dawn upon our yountc men that he was watching them to get up a case. Whether he has succeeded I have not heard. I am sorry to have to record acts of petty theft at VVfiangarata. A contractor who is building a teacher's house there has suffered a loss of 100 bricks and several pieces of timber ; but tie has made no complaint to the police, evidently preferring the loss to the trouble of informing and its consequences. This is not the first time these thefts have been committed. YVhangarata is a flag station, and goods left there have occasionally fallen into wrong hands, so that when a case apparently easily detected, like this theft of bricks and timber, occurs it is a pity the police are not moved in the matter.—[Own Correspondent.]

BOMBAY. Ox Tuesday, May 10, the Band of Hope meeting was held in the Wesleyan Church, Mr. Morgan, president, in the chair. The programme for the evening's entertainment was not so long as usual, but very good. The recitations by Misses Cuthbert, Gillon, and Buttimore were well rendered, also the dialogue. The following was the full programme Recitation, " Death of Abel," by Miss Cuthbert; solo, Miss Gillon ; recitation, Cissy Cornthwaite; hymn 25; recitation, " Found Dead," Miss Buttimore ; recitation, " Alcohol," Mis's Gillon ; hymn 17 ; dialogue, " Miss Burton's Domestic Troubles," by Misses Cuthbert, A. Carter, and Messrs. 0. Roke, J. Govam and \V. Cuthbert; recitation. "Sir John Franklin," by Mr. S. Allison. At the close three more names were added to the pledge-book. On 'I hursday, May 12, lively interest was manifested in the election to rill the vacancy on the Paparata Road Board. An omnibus was run between the polling booth (Bombay Hall) and Paparata, to bring up the voters, when the returning officer (Mr. Norton) called for nominations for a full Board of five. He only received four nominations, viz. :— Messrs. Manning, Parker, Balme, and Sawyer, when he again called for nominations to fill the vacancy. Three were nominated, viz. Messrs. Strong, R. S. White, and D. McKenzie. Theresultof the election was in favour of Mr. Strong, he topping the poll, being eight in advance of R. S. White, the latter two above Mackenzie. At the first meeting of the new Board Mr. J. H. Parker was re-elected chairman, Mr, Strong treasurer, Mr. Caie clerk and collector, and Mr. W. Norton returning officer. On Friday evening, May 13, the Rev. Mr. Berry was posted to deliver his popular lecture, " America Re-Visited," in the Wesleyan Church, but owing to his being laid up with a very severe cold at Pukekohe, he was unable to fulfil his appointment. However, he will deliver it on some other occasion, probably about the next tull moon.— [Own Correspondent.]

KUAOTUNU. Ok Sunday morning about two o'clock the residents of the township were awoke by the loud and continuous sounding of a steamhorn. Many thought that one of the batteries was on fire, but it turned out to be the Northern Steamship Company's Clansman that was calling in to take passengers to Auckland. It appears that the local agent had been advised of her coming, the boat with the passengers on board had been out for three or four hours waiting, but had given up all hopes of seeing the steamer that night, and returned to the landing, the unfortunate passengers being almost frozen. Scarcely had the crew retired when the unearthly horn-sounding commenced, and out they had to turn again. It was thought that the Clansman had called in place of the lona, but about eight p.m. on Sunday the latter steamer turned up unexpectedly, so that the boat crew had a lively time of it. Captain Hearne, who has been relieving the head teacher here for the last two months, has had to leave through illness. He caught a severe cold the night of MeSheffery's fire, but had continued to attend to his duties for more than a week afterwards, when he was obliged to take to his bed, and call in the doctor, who found him suffering from a combined attack of influenza and quinsy, and I advised him to leave for Auckland, where his home is situated. Captain Heme, during his short stay in this place, has made many friends, and has given great satisfaction to the school committee, as well as to the parents and children, and very great regret is felt at his illness and departure. I am informed that the Kuaotunu Quartz Crushing Company's battery has changed hands, Messrs. Price Brothers being the purchasers for something over £900, a little more than half the original cost. The Mariposa Company have got the foundation ready for their _ battery. The machinery is expected to arrive by trie scow any day. The Kuaotunu Licensed Holding, after a lapse of some months, is being worked again. A parcel for crushing has been got out, and will be carted to the battery this week. The Lucky Hit Licensed Holding, which was sold under a warrant of distress some weeks ago, and bought by Mr. Thomas Cunningham, is being worked by a local syndicate, who have just had a parcel of seven tons crushed for a return of a little over 7oz of cold.

Mr. Curtis has taken up the portion of the old Wairoa claim situated on Mr. Comer's property, and has applied for a licensed holding for another portion of the same holding, situated on the adjoining native land. The ore found in this mine is of a low grade, but as it adjoins Mr. Curtis' battery, he reckons he can make it pay. At the last meeting of the County Council it was resolved that a man be kept constantly on the jzoldfield roads here, and if more are required the foreman of works or the local councillor can put them on temporarily. There was a rumour about last week that Dr. Bedford had given notice that he would be unable to pay his usual weekly visits to Kuaotunu. It appears that several people have been calling him all the way from Mercury Bay, sometimes at night, for trivial illnesssuch as colds, coughs, etc.cases that could very well have waited till Saturday, his usual day. Mr. Gow, the chairman of the Mercury Bay Hospital Board, came out here last Saturday to see what arrangement the local Medical Committee could make regarding the medical fund. It was arranged to try and make the weekly subscription of sixpence compulsory. It is to be hoped that this can be done, as it is a matter of the greatest importance to have a medical man in attendance. One would have thought that the miners would be only too glad to have a good doctor at their beck and call, and medicines free for the small subscription of sixpence per week ; but, I regret to say, there are a good many here who have refused to subscribe. At the same time, they forget that, if , no one subscribed, and an accident happened to one of themselves, he might die before medical aid could be brought from a distance, as it is only by subscriptions collected in Mercury Bay and here that a Government subsidy cnn be obtained, without which a doctor could not be kept in the district.—[Own Correspondent.]

TOW A I. The annual election for the school committee of this district took place in the Ramarama Valley schoolroom, as advertised. Mr. H. C. Patterson occupied the chair. There were ten householders nominated. After the ballot had been taken, the following was the result: —R. Marshall, S; S. Brvdon, S; G. Boswell, 8; E. Ferguson. 8: J. R. Lambert, 8; H. C. Patterson,?: William Osbourn, 6; William Tibbuts, 1: R. R. Forsythe, 1. The chairman declared the first seven named as the school committee for the ensuing year ; and at a meeting held by them immediately afterwards Mr. J. R. Lambert was unanimously chosen chairman, and Mr. Mr. R. Marshall treasurer. The office of secretary was left vacant for the present. The chairman was requested to apply to the Board for a storm-shed to be erected on the schoolground for the use of the children in wet weather. It is to be hoped the Board will accede to the request. The Ramarama Valley Road is getting opened for wheel traffic for the first mile and a-half, and as this portion of the road leads past the cemetery, it will be found of great service to the district. Several selectors are waiting to take up land in this fertile valley as soon as surveyed. It, therefore, behoves the powers that be to push on the survey as fast as possible.—[A Correspondent.]

WAIPU, The bold task of opening a new outlet for the Waipu River was commenccd on Monday last, the 9th inst., and the work has been continued during the whole of the week with commendable energy and spirit, by a strong force of volunteer labourers hauling the sand out of the cutting with shovels, assisted by several teams of horses drawing scoops ; and for the short space of time the work has been in hand splendid progress has been made. The cutting is Wing made about ten feet wide at the bottom, and will be about seven hundred feet long. It is estimated that it will be necessary to shift about three thousand cubic yards of sand to complete the opening, full reliance being placed on the force ot the running water to make the channel sufficiently wide and deep for the purposes of navigation. The Government have promised to grant the sum of one hundred pounds towards the cost of the undertaking, providing it proves successful. If this enterprise does not command success, there was never an enterprise that more richly deserved it. It is with regret that I have to announce the death of a young man, .Mr. 1). McAuley, son of Mr. D. McAuley, of the Cove district. The deceased was carried off at the early age of 27, being a victim to the fatal disease of consumption of the lungs.—[Own Correspondent.]

WAIRANGI. The annual meeting of householders took place in the schoolroom on Monday, April 25. There was a small attendance; the householders, evidently being satisfied at the way the school matters have been worked for the past year, did not trouble about new blood in the committee. Mr. James Ross took the chair. The statement of affairs was read, after which the following were elected a committee for the present year :— Messrs. \V. Ross (chairman), J. T. Mears (secretary), and James Ross, J. Muir, and J. Bruce. The Public Hall is fast approaching completion, and being close to the schoolhouse the two look quite imposing as the visitor first catches sight' of these from the adjoining hills after a dreary ride of eizht or nine mile 3 from the railway line.[A Correspondent.] RAHOTU. The school committee election took place as per advertisement, when Messrs. James McCullum, James Morgan, J. Flynn, H. Brown, and Alexander Morrison were elected. Mr. McCullum was re-elected chairman, treasurer, and secretary.—[Own Correspondent.] OPUNAKE (TARANAKI). Mrt. McGuire, M.H.R. for the Egmont constituency, addressed a large meeting in the Town Hall, on Thursday, the 12th instant. Mr. Donald McGregor, chairman of the Town Hall Co., presided, and briefly introduced Mr. McGuire. There were upwards of 200 persons present. Mr. McGuire went through much the same ground he did at Hawera and other places, which have been read by most people. At the close of his address questions were asked and answered. Mr. Gane said no doubt Mr. McGuire had done his best, as he states, re making the natives pay their share of fencing, also local rate, etc., and he was entitled to the thanks of his constituents for so doing, but he (Mr. Gane) blamed the Premier, as he had pampered too much with the natives, instancing that at the time the law was about to lie carried out to enforce payment of the dog tax, he got the Governor to exempt them at the tax collector's cost. He had very little faith in the Premier in matters in connection with the natives. Mr. T. Maloney asked for what reason did he vote against the one-man-one-vote in the Counties Act? Mr. McGuire: Because it was not fair that a person who paid £5 should have as much to say in the expenditure of rates as one who paid £1000. Mr. J. Stevenson minted out the necessity of taxing native ands, and asked it there were any hopes of getting such difficulties removed? Mr. Guy

asked if the income tax would pay the expenditure of the Government? Mr. Gane asked if the Government was not successful this session in passing a Bill to extinguish the title to these native lands, so as to put the leaseholders on the same footing as deferred payment and perpetual leaseholders of Government land, would he endeavour to get the leases amended, by inserting a clause to give back to the Road Board, etc., onethird of the rent to make and maintain the roads through these leased lands, as at present the Road Boards had to depend on a rate; and it was easily seen where these lands were, as the roads were bad, whereas Government lease and deferred payment land had metalled roads? Mr. McGuire promised to do his best. Mr. McHardy questioned him about the price placed on a block of land, and after it was sold it was shown that 15s per acre was to be handed back for road-making, which was to the disadvantage of those who knew nothing of it. Mr. McGuire said he knew nothing of it. He saw the Minister of Lands about it, who said a note of this refund of 15s was marked on the plan, and when he went to see it, such could not be found. Various other questions were asked and answered, after wftich Mr. McLeod moved a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. McGuire as our member, relating briefly the good he had done and was doing. Mr. William Pettigrew seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman was passed, and the meeting terminated.[Own Correspondent.] OAONUI (OPUNAKE). The annual election of the school committee took place, as per advertisement, with the following result: —Messrs. G. W. Gane, R. Malcolm, J. Williams, Joseph Morrison, and J. Kirkwood, were elected. Mr. G. W. Gane was re-elected chairman of committee, and Mr. Silvester secretary and treasurer—the chairman to countersign cheques with the treasurer.—[Own Correspondent.]