COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8889, 27 May 1892, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from our own correspondents.] Opotiki, Thursday. A public meeting was held on the Queen's Birthday to consider tho meant; of procuring a locally-owned steamer for the Opotiki trade, and model of a light draught vessel was exhibited. A committee was formed to make inquiry, and report to a meeting to be held at a later trade.

I'APAKURA VALLEY. The negotiations which have been going on for a road between Papakura Valley Road and Ardmore have been finally completed. The new line of diversion obviates tlie necessity of an expensive bridge being erected, and difficult grades avoided. This will be a great boon to both districts. The new road is now clear of all artificial obstructions, and the road will be comparatively level from one district to the other.[A Correspondent.]

TUAKAU. I notice that the Crown Lands Board purpose holding a sale of land on the 9th of next month, and among others a number of sections of re-classified land in Tuakau. This, I am sure, will meet with approval by the people. As near as I can understand, the sections front the main road on both sides, from St. John's Church to Mr. Jones's. These sections have been quite an eye-sore to the public for many years, and have given our pretty village a neglected appearance. It is to be hoped that some of our enterprising settlers will take advantage of this opportunity and procure all of these sections, which will thus enable them to alter its native appearance, which is anything but pleasing. The land itself is of good quality, and as our settlement advances (which it is rapidly doing) some of these sections will be valuable as building sites. This land would have been bought up years ago had the price per acre been reasonable, but the price wanted by the Government was so exorbitant, namely, £30 per acre, that it was totally out of the question to think of it. Besides its sale being an advantage to the district, it will also be an advantage to our local Board, who will then derive a benefit from rates coming from it, and according to their balance-sheet up till the 31st of last March, I think; (hey will require nil they can get. Our roads are getting over-run with briars, and if something is not done before long in the way of eradicating them, I fear they will take full possession. It is not safe to wander off the footpaths at night, for one is almost sure to measure the height and breadth of a big briar bush, which is not a pleasant performance. If our Board has not enough funds the ratepayers ought to take pattern from our friends in the Onewhero district, whom, I am told by good authority, rolled up at their last annual meeting, and without a single opponent proposed and carried, "That their rate for the coming year be three-farthings in the £," at the same time they are paying a county rate of half-penny in the £. If our Board were allowed such privileges, I have no doubt we would soon have the briars cleared away, and other necessary work done. I hope our local authorities will take the hint and urge the matter on.— [A Correspondent.]

MANGAWAI. On* Friday, the 13th, the Church of England, Temperance Society met, and several members Rave selections of music, singing, recitations, etc., to a fair audience. The whole affair passed of successfully. Mrs. W. Stewart is now secretary in place of Mrs. Ryan, resigned. A public meeting of the ratepayers was held fast Saturday. It evidently was insufficiently announced, as no one in the southern part of the district knew anything about it. My informant, a ratepayer, could not tell me the object of the gathering.

The metalling of the flat has at last commenced. It is a work clamoured for for many years, but the amount of stone at present put on will not stand the traffic for long. We do not expect to see any of it at the end of the winter. It no doubt will have sunk below, making room for as much more or double the quantity now on. Mrs. Rebecca Spurling, living at Hawthorn, Melbourne, and aunt of Mr. Boldero, Mangawai, celebrated her 100 th birthday last month with her children and grandchildren. She was born in Norfolk, England, in 1792. . . , The weather is now winterly, and heavy rain falling. It will do good to vegetation on hills ana dry spots. The efforts of those who admire the idea of nationalising of land do not at present appear quite successful. The promoters of the idea profess to be advanced Liberals; but, in their blundering, they are making a retrograde step that will eventually land us under the same laws as were in vogue in the days of William the Conqueror, when the old feudal system was in full swing. The beginning of the nationalising will be soft, easy, canny, and smooth; but what will be the ending? When King " Offhisballance" demands fealty from us, his vassals; when he draws, with his press gang, the finest men of the land for his navy and army; and demands food and forage, without payment, from us, his impoverished vassals, to provide for them ; when this comes to pass, how long, say the wise men, will it take to throw off the yoke? At what cost of blood and treasure ? And what will be the position of those who now have homes of their own, and are not at the beck and call of men of fads and foolery ? At the beach are several new houses, and the school is well attended by thirty scholars. A new school will soon be asked for. One new settler is amongst us. He is going in for vines and wine, but no great expenditure has been indulged in at present. The increase of orchards goes on slowly but surely. One kind of fruit, a good one, I have not at present seen in the district; I mean the shaddock, a large species of orange that takes its name from Captain Shaddock, who first brought it from the East to the West Indies. This should not be confounded with the Lisbon lemon, as some foolishly do here, which seems astounding, the fruits being so thoroughly distinct. Our steamer the Ruby keeps with us, and is doing well. Her old captain, Mr. Michael Lennan, bosses her to the satisfaction of us all.

It is a good sign of the prosperity of the place when two vessels can bo doing well. The captain of the cutter Teviot is doing fairly well, and it is to be honed he will continue so for many years. With the steamer, the cutter, an oyster boat now and then, private yachts, pleasure boats, and the heavy looking scows, our river looks quite lively.— [Own Correspondent.]

RAGLAN. The s.s. Argyle. Captain Austin, called in at this port on Wednesday last, en route, for Wanganui. She returned here early on Sunday morning, and after loading flax at Te Akau, proceeded to Onehuuga. During the last ten days this vessel has paid no less than four visits to this port. Such attention is most unusual on the part of the Northern Company, and its continuance will no doubt be greatly appreciated by the settlers. The Coralie arrived here on Friday, and is now lying at the Kopua waiting for the weather to moderate to allow of her return to Onehunga. Her cargo for the north arm was taken up in Mr. Rendell's boat, the Rangatira, which has been greatly improved by the addition of a small cabin.

Mr. T. B. Hill is again to the fore in Messrs. Yates' root competition. On Saturday last he brought into town six Champion Long Red and six Yellow Globe mangel wurtzel, which were duly weighed in the presence of Mr. J. N. Pegler, J.P., and Mr. J. Rendel, the local agent for Yates' seeds. The six Long Red totalled 3031b, and the Yellow Globe 1611b, the top weights being 74 and 411b respectively. Although this is below the weight of the roots taking the prize in last year's competition, yet Mr. Hill is sanguine of success, as he is of opinion that the late dry season will have been against other growers. A sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court was held on Monday, the 23rd inst., Messrs. Pegler and Thompson being the presiding justices. There were a number of rate cases from the Raglan County Council, the whole of which were settled out of court, the various amounts having been paid in. In the case of C. Newton v. Harrison, claim for packing, etc., on survey work, the summons had not been served. It was enlarged until next sitting of the Court. The Rev. Mr. Smulifield.of Auckland, who has during the last fortnight been visiting and holding services throughout the district, preached in the Raglan Church on Sunday evening. There was a large attendance, and the sermon given by the reverend gentleman from the text " Lord, teach us to pray," was listened to with devout attention by all, and will dwell in the minds of those present as a pleasant and homely illustration ot the Great Master's words.—[Own Correspondent.]

WAVERLEY. The volunteer ball, held here on Friday, the 6th May, was a great success. About 100 couples were present. The dresses of the ladies were as usual very beautiful, and did credit to our district. To pick the belle would be impossible, as the majority were about equal in dress and appearance. I think the honour rests between the following ladies: — Misses Dickie, Frances, Harll, Brown, Peat, lon, and Scott. Amongst the married ladies the following looked exceeding well : —Mesdames Kemp, Wybourne, Loniax, Booth, and 11. Gibbons. The refnx.inii.ents were provided by Mr. Dustin, of WftbgTi mii. The annual election of the Matorua Road Board was held last Monday. Mr. Pymont headed the poll. The others elected are :— M essrs. Chamberlain, Thurston, and Palmer. Tins being Mr. Pyemont's first appearance in public life, it is a proof that he is highly esteemed in the district.—[A Correspondent.]

NORMANBY (TARANAKI). The ladies' leap year ball which was given at the Town Hall on Friday, the 13th May, was much marred by the weather, a constant downpour from the south-east setting in on the afternoon of that date which kept on throughout the night. The arrangements were ably carried out by the ladies' committee, who comprised the following :—Mesdaines E. C. Meredith (hon. secretary) and Eagles and the Misses Eagles, J. Lorirner, L. Lorimer. The hall had been tastefully decorated for the occasion, and the floor was all that could be desired. It is needless to say more about the music provided than to mention that Miss Espagnc (Hawera) presided at the piano, and with Professor Joseph Higham (Ngaire) on the violin, fully sustained that reputation for which they are noted throughout the district. Through the courtesy of Mrs. E. C. Meredith (hon. secretary) " your own" was presented with a complimentary ticket, coupled with the compliments of the ladies'committee, a favour, I think, correspondents should be proud of, and at the same time it sets an example worthy of following, as it ensures a better chance of a correct report than would otherwise appear. Dancing commenced at 8.30, about 18 couples taking possession of the floor, who, I must admit, looked charming. Miss Eagles' dress (blue, trimmed with cream-coloured lace) looked exceedingly tasteful, also another lady stranger (black dress, with white scarf) looked very neat; but stop, Mr. Editor, further than this, I think, on the face of my being a shareholder in matrimonial stock (live), it would be impolitic for me to go. Everything passed off in first-class style, and only for the weather fully as many more would have been there. Supper was laid out in the reading-room under the supervision of our esteemed and worthy confectioner and pastrycook, Mrs. Eagles, who, in her usual style, had provided a spread seldom seen at larger entertainments, and who, with usual kind heartedness and liberality, on seeing the small number assembled, presented the committee with the supper provided, which, taking into consideration the quality and quantity prepared must have meant considerable expense and trouble. Dancing was kept up until about 3.30 a.m. with unflagging zeal, at which hour business was supposed to have concluded; and I supuosc we must patiently wait the results that should follow the Normanby leap year ball of 189*2. llinking season is in full swing under the management of Messrs. C. Bayley, E. Hall, and P. Meredith, who open at the Town Hall on Tuesday and Friday of each week to a fair company from 7.30 to 10.30 p.m. A meeting of the Town Board was held on Monday evening, 16th May. Present: Commissioners Lisley, Rowe, Epping, and the town clerk (Mr. C. E. Gibson). In the absence of the chairman, Mr. Lisley was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, "That the clerk write to Messrs. Hunger and Dacre acknowledging receipt of £5 14s lid, also indemnifying them absolutely from all further liability in the matter. Notice of motion was given, Mr. Lisley to move at next meeting, '* That the sum of £5 14s lid received from Messrs. Hunger and Dacre be handed over to the school committee to be spent in books to form the nucleus of a library for the use of the school." The following accounts were passed for payment:—Lysaght (royalty on metal for Board's use), £1 Ss; T. Tetnpro (for dog collars), 14s 6d; Sergeant Quinn (commission on dog tax collected to date), £1 ss. This being all the business the meeting adjourned. [Own Correspondent.]