COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8961, 19 August 1892, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Thursday. THE block of three shops erected in Vic* toria-street to the design of Mr. T. H. White, architect, for Mr. Howden. are now completed and occupied, and it may be considered that they are the most business-looking and prominent establishments in the main street. The contractors, Messrs. Pettigrew and ' Co.. deaer ve great credit for the manner in which they have carried out their contract. The fittings of Mr. Howden's shop were constructed by the members of the firm, and are finished in a manner which could not be excelled. The decorations were executed by Mr. Mallindine, of Ngaruawahia, which together with the lettering, gold and bronze, by Mr. Taylor (Henderson and Co.), of Auckland, may be considered specimens of high art in their respective lines. It is stated that the Messrs. Harker, the rival firm of iewellera in Hamilton; have instructed Mr. White to design the improvements and additions and decorations to their business premises. and if these are carried out similar or equal to those of Mr. Howdeu, Hamilton may be considered to possess very fair samples of modern art decorations suitable to this particular business.

On Tuesday Mr. Johnson, of the Native Lands Court, Otorohanga, was received into the hospital, suffering from illness. Yesterday Mr. Clifford, storekeeper, of Morrinsville, entered the hospital for treatment of a severe abscess on the neck.

Cambridge. Thursday. In your issue of to-morrow will bo found the announcement of Mr. J. McNicol's spring horse fair in connection with the Waikato Farmers' Club's annual stallion parade,'to take place on Wednesday, the 21st September. There is little doubt but at this season of the year good horses, especially those suitable for farm work, will meet with a good demand. Horses will be sold as they are entered for sale, and already entries have been made by many of the principal breeders and settlers in Waikato, amongst which are the following entries : — Draught stallion Blair Athol, thoroughbred stallion Aorangi, and the roadster stallion Merry boy by Merrylegs. Miss Agnes King has been appointed a pupil teacher to the Cambridge West school. Ohaupo, Thursday. From all parts of Waikato there arises an almost unanimous protest against legislative interference in the suppression of the codlin moth. Orchardists admit that without compulsory legislation the ravages of this pest cannot be suppressed, but they are opposed to the annoyance of official interference, and have no faith in local Boards, and their officers appointed to carry out the law believing neither in the efficiency nor in their impartality. Better the de il they know than the de'il they don't know. The proper action to be taken is in the introduction of the natural enemies of the moth and grub, swallows, martins, -bats, and insectivorous and moth eating birds. Tjs Awamutu, Thursday. Dr. Bakewell, of Auckland, is expected here on Saturday, to visit the district with the view to settling here in the practice of his profession. It is a large district, and the want of a resident doctor is much felt. Huntly, Thursday. Two lads, named Harlock and Hawkins, working in a fiaxmiil at Rangiriri, were brought up before Messrs. Graham and Ralph, Justices of the Peace, and charged by Constable White with damaging property and stealing honey belonging to Mr. W. Reid. It appears that they had upset some fifteen hives belonging to Mr; Reid, and stolen the better portion of the honey. They were sentenced to 48 hours' imprisonment, and to receive twelve strokes of the birch each. [by telegraph.own correspondents.] * Hamilton, Thursday. At the cattle saieyards here to-day there was a good attendance, and stock realised high prices. Beef fetched 25s per 1001b. Mr. Cliff, curator at the fishponds in the Domain, passed through from Okoroire to Auckland this morning, having been in the former district liberating a quantity of the rainbow trout. He will return with another consignment on Wednesday next. Mr. Cliff has received very good reports of the welldoing of the brook trout distributed two years ago in the Waipa River, in the King country.

NORTHERN WAIROA. Tub natives do not trouble as much with the misdemeanours of their people, but thev have "their own methods of dealing out punishment. One dusky gentleman (?) in a settlement not a hundred miles from here seemed to have the animal nature preponderating so largely that he could not keep himself from breaking into other men' reserves. The tribal authorities sought tos keep him under by tines, and he has, I am told, been mulcted in £10 and 10 horses. But this was not sufficient, and the matter has so far ended by the offender being sent out of the district. If this scandal had occurred in European circles our high civilisation would probably have dragged it through all the courts of divorce, and we should have been regaled with all the sensational items, while the lawyers fattened ana the litigants grew thin. Not so with the Maoris, however. The Roman Catholic Church at Opanake has now been completed by the erection of the spire and accompanying cross. I notice by the advertisement in your columns that the Post Office Department are calling for tenders for two new postal services in this district. We have been much neglected in the past, and have had no communication by post except through Helensville and Auckland, and letters for VVhangarei and neighbourhood have had to go south to Auckland first and then north again. So also with the Kaipara settlement, all our communications have had to go through Helenville, causing much delay. The new services for which tenders are now called are from Tokatoka to Matakohe, and from Dargaville to Tangihun. The former will connect with the Matakohe-Wellsford service, and give us direct communication with Paparoa, Pahi, and other Kaipara settlements; the latter joins the Maungaka-ramea-Whangarei service, and will give us direct intercourse with the West Coast. We are heartily pleased that the Government have at length recognised our necessity. There is still one connection which we desire, and that is a service between Maunganui Bluff and Kawerua. This would join us with the Hokianga and Bay of Islands districts. The Northern Wafroa Rugby Union has had a very brisk season, and the cup contests have excited a lot of interest in the mill portion of the district, if nowhere else. The Maropiu Club commenced the season well, by defeating Kopuru in their first match, and there were some who thought they would come close to winning the cup, but their subsequent performances have placed them in third position. The Kopuru Club, which includes several members from Aratapu, were looked upon as the likely winners about the middle of the season, as they played a draw ,wjth Aratapu, and won the junior matches, but the old red and black warriors rallied round their banner, and defeated Kopuru in their second match, and thus won the ' cup. The Aratapu Club's record being an unbeaten one in spite of the defection of some of its old members. Last Saturday week the Waima (Hokianga) team came over and played Aratapu on the latter's own ground, when owing to a mistake by the referee they were accorded a win by 6 points to 4. The local club entered a protest, as a try was allowed a Waima player, who picked up the ball when it had been put down by an opponent just collared, but I do not think the club intend to push it, as there is no trophy hanging on the result, and betting-men are not deserving of any consideration, and the Waima boys are a fine lot, who play a good game, deserved to win after coming so far over such roads as are available.

Our players are glad to see by the Auckland papers that the Auckland Union have decided to send a team up this way this season. Our lads play a good game, and hope to learn something from an Auckland visit. They are quite prepared. for defeat, although they are determined to do all they can to prevent it. The police of this district have been instructed by Inspector Broham to enforce the by-laws of the county in reference to the licensing of hawkers and pedlars and vehicles.

A short time 'ago the Waste Lands Board decided not to lease or sell any more gumbearing lands, and some of the lands on the Te Kuri Block, between this and the North Kaipara Head, were withdrawn from sale. This was felt to be a mistake by our County Council, especially as settlement was fast spreading in that locality, and some of the lands had been applied for. Most of the land in that block carries gum to some extent, and were it not so settlers would find it very hard to establish themselves. The Redhill settlement, too, would never have been formed if the resolution of the Waste Lands Board had always existed. Messrs; Sjoatrom and Schick, two applicants for Te Kuri lands, waited upon the Council, and asked them to approach the Waste Lands Board for the purpose of having the Te Kuri Block thrown open for sale or selection. This the Council have done successfully. ' The merging of several counties into one charitable aid district has not worked well in the North at least. A return prepared by our county clerk shows that the Nortn Auckland Charitable Aid Board has received from and on behalf of this county during the past three years a sum of £605, and has only, expended £494 to patients from the county. It was* resolved at the last meeting of the Hobson County Council not to pay any further sums from this county to the North

Auckland Board until decided steps have been taken to recover arrears due from the Mangonui County.[Own Correspondent.] ARATAPU. A fancy dress carnival was held in the Rotunda Rink, on Wednesday, when there was a good attendance of the public, not very many of whom, hOwever, were in fancy dress. No prizes were offered, and there was no racing or competition, so that the proceedings were not of very great interest. The United Brass Band was in attendance and livened up things a bit, but the noise of the big drum in a comparatively small room is never very pleasant to the brain. The fancy costumes were varied, but not. as a whole, of any very great merit. Forget-me-Not, Miss Jones, was the pink of the lot, and she really looked very pretty. Miss Harrison, (is Poppy, was also very pretty, and the waltzing of these two in the centre, whilst the others skated round, was very nice. Miss E. Corkill, Shepherdess, the next worthy of mention to my taste, whilst the two Misses Rhodes, as Tambourine Girl and Venetian Girl; Miss E. Morgan, as a Bride; Miss Brown, as Starlight; Miss F. Morgan, as Pears' Soap, and Miss Gerring, as Five o'Clock Tea, were all very nice and attractive. Mr. Ah Sing attended in the full dress of his own race, and was an attraction. So well did the whole pass off that I hear it is the intention of Mr. Jones to hold a carnival on a grand scale with full attractions before the season closes. The Rink is, 1 believe, the best out of Auckland, being of rotunda shape, well built, and commodious. The Aratapu Minstrels gave an entertainment in the Hall on Saturday evening in aid of the Football Club, and although the rain fell heavily were favoured with a * good audience. Mr. C. Clark gave an invisible slack wire walking performance of great merit. He walks on a single strand piano wire, and puts himself through small hoops and into a pair of trousers and coat, and then takes them off again, all the while standing on or walking on the thin slack wire. Mr. J. McAneny is the chief actor in the minstrel performance, and is altogether a comical character to dance, sing, act, or play the fool. Mr. John Harrison has a fine voice, and sings with feeling and expression. Mr. Clark also gave a clever trapeze performance. The anniversary meeting of the Aratapu Sunday-school was held in the Public Hall last Friday. The children were given a tea at six o'clock, and seemed to enjoy it immensely. The. thanks of the school are due to Mesdames Harrison, Corkill, Woollams, Stevens, Slater, and Stall worthy for the tea. The Rev. Joseph Blight was present at the tea, and also presided at the after meeting. The hall stage had been provided with a gallery, and on this the children were seated to the number of about seventy, the remainder of the school being accommodated in the body of the hall. The meeting began with hymnt No. 551 from Sankey's, after which prayer was offered. The chairman's address was an appeal to parents not to neglect their duty in the training of the children. The report of the main school was given by Mr. T. Nield, who stated the number on the roll to be 109, with an average morning attendance of twenty-six, and ,an afternoon ditto of fifty. The balance-sheet showed a small amount in hand, but not sufficient to meet outstanding liabilities. Duet, " What are the Wild Waves Saying?" by Misses Anderson : hymn 571; recitation by Nellie Stevens; hymn 524. Mr. Sheffield then gave the report of the Kopuru-hill branch of the school, which showed a roll number of 35, and an average attendance of 12 in the morning and '20 in the afternoon. He also said the school was in need of an instrument. Quartette, by Misses Phelan (2), Corkill, and Nield; Psalm xxiii, by George Wordsworth; hymn 590; short address by Mr. W. T. Stevens ; hymn 471: Romans xii, by A. Stallworthy ; hymn 568 ; short address by Mr. Stallworthy, who amongst other things said that the school was forming a senior class for young men and young women, and would be glad to have the attendance of any of those present. A collection was then made and realised £1 14s 3d. Recitation by Annie Stevens ; hymn 479 and the benediction brought the meeting to a close. The various hymns, all comparatively new in this locality, were sung by the children from the stage, under the guidance of Mr. A. Campbell, who had trained them, and were accompanied by Mrs. Marcroft at the organ, Mr. Edmonds (flute), Mr. John Lindsay (violin), and Mr. T. Campbell (cornet). The thanks of the school were expressed by Mr Nield to Mr. T. Campbell, who almost from infancy has presided at the organ for the school with such regularity that he can be looked for at his post with almost as much certainty as the organ itself. —{Aratapu Correspondent.]

WAIUKU. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, on August 12, before Captain Jackson, R.M., there were only two small-debt cases, both of which were settled out of Court. On Friday evening last a tire occurred in an outbuilding containing implements, tools, etc., the property of Mr. Joseph Binns, a settler residing at Karaotahi. The building was totally destroyed with its contents. The loss is estimated at £30. There was no insurance, and Mr. Binns cannot form any idea how the tire occurred. The weather here for the past week has been very fine for winter, and the grass is growing well. The farmers are all very busy ploughing, and preparing the land for their crops. The fortunate people who have sections In the Otaua, Awaroa, and Akaaka, are all very busy either in draining, cutting teatree, or preparing fencing material, and before six months are over there will be a very great improvement in that locality.— [Own Correspondent.] The ordinary meeting of the Waiuku Mutual Improvement Society took place on Monday, the 15th. The President was in the chair. The business of the evening was the reading of the magazine by the editor. The following articles were read : —" An Old Fogey A Misnomer," by "A Very Old Fogey;" "A Small Taste of Political Economy," by Mr. Large ; ,l My Second Attempt at Writing for the Magazine," by John Snifkins ; " Gorse," by Charles J. Hosking; " The Unpleasantness of a Bachelor's Life," by " A Bachelor "Is Legislation Against the Codliu Moth Desirable or Not," by Johu M&kgill; " A Few Lines on a Dream," by F. Perkins; "An Excursion Trip,' 4by "Observer ;" " Mutual Improvement," by the Editor. In point of literary merit this issue was quite equal to any former ones. I was glad to see that several young members had contributed. The attendance was small but perhaps the threatening weather was to blame for that. The next meeting takes place on Monday next, the 22nd iust.—[A Correspondent.]

TE AROHA. Word has been received here by the friends of Mr. W. S. Allen of his intention of leaving England for the colony by the 8.8. Tainui on September 17, with Mrs. Allen and their family. They may be expected here therefore about the beginning of November, and will be most heartily welcomed by the settlers in the district. The new house at Annandale is now completed, and is by far the most substantial and best finished house in this part of the country. The appointment of Mr. 0. Mills as a member of the Domain Board has given general satisfaction here. Mr. Mills is an earnest, painstaking, and hard-working man in anything that he undertakes, and his advent upon the Domain Board will be a very great advantage both to the Board and to thepublic. A sparrow match, got up by Mr. W. H. Knock, eventuated on Monday afternoon. A good number of persons were present. There were eight competitors, but only Messrs. Tyndal and Rowe scored anything, both obtaining two points. No doubt the- sparrows thought the shooting first-class, as most of them managed to regain their liberty.—[Own Correspondent.] ; RAGLAN. There was a large attendance on Friday night, the 12th ins at the fancy dress ball held in Powell's Hall, and given by the bachelors of the district. The fancy costumes were very tastefully got up, the ladies' costumes more especially so. I do not pretend to give a description of the costumes worn by the ladies, but they were very artistically arranged, and very much admired by all. The ball was a decided success, the music, etc., all that could be desired, but leaving the hall and adjourning to a publichouse for refreshments was a bad feature in the programme. This was pointedly shown by some of the ladies and gentlemen obtaining refreshments elsewhere independent of the bachelors' providing. I am fond of dancing, and pleased to see others enjoy* themselves in any innocent amusement— I consider our occasional dances and balls, conducted as they always have been conducted, with the greatest propriety, and respectability, have done a great deal of good in giving a little polish to the manners and carriage of our youths in this district—but if we cannot have these little social dance gatherings • without being connected with publichouse interests and influence, then, I say, for many reasons, the sooner the dances and balls are done away with the better.— [Occasional Correspondent.]