COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8966, 25 August 1892, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from oub own correspondents.]

Hamilton, Wednesday. It is the intention of the Borough Council to ask the Government ior the use of the strip of land within the railway station enclosure adjoining the present saleyards, from which the statioumaster's house has recently been removed, for the purpose of a suleyard for sheep. The allotment iu question, from the entrance gate in Victoria-street to the corner of the cattleyards, will not probably be required for the railway authorities for many years, and can be given up by the borough when required. It was the intention of the Council to have erected pens for the sale of sheep on the opposite side of Victoria-street, but the piece of land in question would be far more convenient, and better for the stationmaster, now that his house is removed to its present site, than having the peas erected right alongside of it. Mr. Isaac Coates ' farm, Sunnyside, late Captain Steele's, has been leased for a year to Mr. Richard Barugh, an elder son of Mr. J, J. Barugh, of Tamahere, who, with his family, is expected weekly to arrive in New Zealand from Yorkshire.

Huntly, Wednesday. T. M. Davis, the alleged bogus insurance agent, who obtained on the Ist of July last a cheque from Mrs. Hill, of Matahura, as a premium for insurance on her property-, was brought before Messrs. Tattley and Ralph, Justices of the Peace, yesterday. A letter from Mr. Tait, general manager of the National Insurance Company, was read, stating that Davis, who originally hails from the Bay of Islands district, was no longer an agent of the company. Mr. Tait is now in Sydney, and Davis, on this plea, and that he required time to produce a witness on his behalf, asked for a remand of the case for eight days, which was granted.

Cambridoe, Wednesday. The annual meeting of the Cambridge Chrysanthemum Society was held at the Borough Council Chambers yesterday evening. There were present: Mr. Wells (chairman), Mrs. Young, Mrs. C. Hunter, Messrs. Brooks, Pilcher, Hartly, Webber, C. Day, J. Chambers, T. H. W. Yate, J. S. Bond, M. McDermott, Mrs. and Miss Chambers, and Mrs. Jas. Young. Mr. F. J. Brooks, secretary, read the report and balance-sheet, the latter showing a credit balance of £13 10s 7d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. Wells explained the change in the constitution of the society. By arrangement with the Auckland society the Cambridge branch will now become a separate society, but will be affiliated with the Auckland society. A resolution was carried giving effect to the proposal. It was resolved that the rules of the Auckland society, with some slight modification, be the rules for the Cambridge Chrysanthemum Society. Messrs. Wells, Brooks, Pilcher, Hartly, and Hester were elected a committee for the ensiling year. It was resolved that the show be held on the 7th and Btli of April. Mr. Wells moved a vote of sympathy and condolence with Mrs. Dewes in her bereavement : Carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was accorded to Standing Committee, Auckland Society, coupled with the name of Mr. Tibbs, for the generous support accorded to the Cambridge branch. Thanks were also accorded to the Cambridge Standing Committee. This concluded the formal business, after which a general talk on chrysanthemums took place. Te Akoha, Wednesday, Daring the storm on Tuesday, Mr. James McNicol, brother of Mr. Duncan McNicol, of Wairakau, met with a very serious accident. He was standing , near one of the stables on the station when the door blew off its hinges and hit him upon the head in falling, inflicting a severe wound. He was carried into the house, and his injuries at once attended to, and he is now doing as well as can be expected. During last night the wind entirely ceased, and to day has been fine, with the exception of a few light showers. Mr. R. B. B. Willis, who has been a settler in the Waihou part of the district for some years past, has accepted an engagement as manager of an estate in the northern part of the province, and leaves here in two or three weeks to undertake his new duties. His genial, happy manner has made Mr. Willis many friends throughout the district, who will sincercly regret his departure.

WELLSFOIIU. A balk was held at Mr. Treadwell's on Monday of the land owned by Peter Sandvig (bankrupt), by order of the Official Assignee. Mr. McMurdo, the popular "knight of the hammer," was the auctioneer, and the property was purchased by Mr. William Armitage, for the sum of £110. On the evening of Friday, the 12th, asocial was given in the Wellsford schoolroom by the bachelors, in return for the ladies' ball, a report of which appeared in the Weekly News a fortnight ago. The weather was all that cOuld be desired, and a very enjoyable evening was spent by all present. Dancing was kept up merrily until an early hour, and the entertainment; was pronounced a decided success.— Correspondent.] ARARIMU SOUTH. The erection of a creamery in our district Is going ahead. The building is up, and. the shoot which is to take the water from the creek to the waterwheel is nearly finished, but I am. a little doubtful about it being completed by the first of the next month.

! Our school and district have suffered a loss in the removal of Mr. Kiely and family. Mr. Kiely has always taken a deep interest in our district school, and all that pretained to its welfare. Our School Committee are trying to improve the appearance of the schoolgrounds, by planting about 180 shelter trees. These, with what was planted before, should make it a very pretty place. The frost ana cold winds of late have not assisted the growth of grass, but the last few days have been a little raider. The sowing of cereals is being pushed ahead on every favourable opportunity. The weekly dance at the Public Hall seems to be attracting greater numbers of late. On Saturday the hall being nearly full.—[Own Correspondent.] KAIWAKA. It has been decided to hold an Industrial Exhibition and Produce Show, sometime during the month of March in next year. An influential committee has been formed for the purpose of carrying out all necessary arrangements. Mr. F. Clark, J.P., has accepted the presidency, Mr. T. W. Dawson takiog the duties of lion, secretary. The exhibition is to continue for two days, and will be held in the Hakaru Hall. The building has been kindly placed at the disposal of the committee, through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Sarah. The Rev. H. M. Maynard.B.A. (Anglican), preached an instructive and practical sermon in the Kaiwaka Church on Monday evening, August 15. The rev. gentleman's discourse was founded upon the following words, "One thing thou lackest," St. Mark, x, 21. Owing to the darkness of the night, and threatening state of the weather, the congregation was but small.—[Own Correspondent.] .

KAMO. Puhipuhi is gradually attracting more attention throughout the district. I hear " The Just in Time" holding have obtained the handsome return of 250 a 3dwts bullion, worth 4s 2d per oz, from halt a ton of ore, treated by Mr. D. R. S. Galbraith's water-gas process. As this is equal to over 50oz to the ton, and there is, I know, a 3ft 6in lode to work upon, through a grand sandstone country, no doubt the plucky proprietors will now be satisfied that they have a very valuable property. None of the other claims are working, not even "The Waipu," from whom so much was expected; and, indeed, considering the returns the proprietory obtained from the half ton treated at the Thames School of Mines, the wonder is that something is not really done to further develops this fine holding. We are all, however, anxiously waiting for the advent of Mr. R. Hunt's English capital. That undoubtedly will, in a very few months after its arrival, put entirely new habillimcnts on this hitherto sadly mismanaged quartz field, aud not a man in our midst will be more proud of this change than Mr. G. Clark-Walker, of Whangarei, who has so long aud so unselfishly worked in the cause of the Puhipuhi Silver Field. The Kamo School Committee are putting forth all their strength to improve the school and sohooi grounds. Messrs. Hodge and Johnson have a contract in hand to build a new fence around the school, and at the same time Mr.Cheeseman has in hand the building of a riug fence around the trees planted on Arbor Day. There is also some talk of getting up a children's concert, for which a small admission fee would be charged, the prooeeds to go towards improving the playground, which certainly requires seeing to. The trouble, however, seems to be in enlisting the sympathies of the head-teacher in this very laudable effort, that gentleman not bothering himself in anyway with the efforts of hia scholars, whether on the playground or otherwise after school hours.

The weather is delightful, and everything promises for an early and prolific spring. The roads, so far as mud is concerned, are almost clean.

The dog tax is to be enforced throughout the county, and Mr. J. P. Ward of this town is appointed to collect the tax. There can be no doubt that Mr. Ward has peculiar qualifications that well entitle him to the appointment, but why the tax at all? And what are the estimated receipts? And how much after paying the cost of collecting and purchase of collars will find its way to the county chest? It the shoals of itinerant hawkers fu>m the genteel Auckland bagman down to the Italian or Maltese abomination, were taxed, as they should aud ought to be, it would be better for the honest country tradesman, and no doubt a substantial improvement to the county exchequer.—[Own Correspondent.

HEREKINO. , Since last I wrote, the weather has been slowly , but steadily improving, and there is every appearance of an early spring. At present, however, feed is very scanty, and accordingly our cattle, horses, and other stook are in rather poor condition. But with the advance ot spring pasturage will become as abundant as usual. The present winter is thought to have been the most severe since the settlement was founded, more than five years ago. The roads are gradually becoming better, and should the road inspector delay his visit for a few weeks longer, there is a prospect of his being able to ride through;the whole settlement without getting his horse bogged more than onca or twice. This reminds me that he got into difficulties the last time he was here. On his road to \Vhangai>e, his horse stuck fast in the mud, and he was compelled to seek assistance from the Maoris. By their united exertions they managed to extricate the horse in the course of a couple of hours. When any work upon the roads is asked to be done, the answer is almost invariably that funds are wanting. It seems that the Government will supply any ironwork that may be required for the Uwhiroa Bridge, provided the settlers will supply the wood and tho labour requisite. But as the bridge was promised three years ago, without any such condition, the settlers are very naturally unwilling to supply what is required. In taking up the sections at the top of the block, the settlers were given to understand that the main road would be completed, so as to give access to these sections. Accordingly, when the communications are cut off by a fresh in the river, great indignation is expressed at this breach of faith on the part of the Govern In consequence of the fine weather we are enjoying, great preparations are being made for getting in the crops. In previous years, the area of ploughable land in the place has been but small, owing to the stumps of bush remaining iu the ground. But this year, I am glad to notice, quite a respectable extent of laud on various sections is to be ploughed. To judge from the amount of land to be cultivated, the crops this year should be the largest we have ever had, if only the season should be in any way favourable. One of our settlers, Mr. Bowman, has lost a number of sheep lately by dogs worrying them. I believe he has found out whose dog has been doing the damage. Various other losses have befallen different settlers, but I suppose every country settler has to put up with that at some time or other. I am pleased to see that Mr. Powell has, with his usual energy, made good his recent loss, and has raised another team of bullocks.

Mr. Gardner is making considerable progress with his whaleboat. So far as can be seen at present, it will be a credit to the builder, as well as to the whole settlement. —[Own Correspondent.]

WHANGAREI. At the last meeting of the Whaugarei County Council, a notable scheme was proposed for the support of the aged by Mr. Mallabond. This gentleman is also chairman of the North Auckland Charitable Aid Board, and the deplorable state of affairs under which this body sufl'era was the main cause of the scheme propounded by him. It would seem that Mangonui County is three years in arrears ; Hobson County has flatly refused to pay, and a demand made 011 the Whangarei County Council for £212 when they had r.ot as many pence has brought matters to a crisis. Mr. Mallabond proposes that a tax should be levied on everyone, payable through the Customs, to raise a fund that would assure to those reaching the age of about 60 enough to keep them from want. He argued that the burden ot supporting the aged should fall on all alike, and not on the county ratepayers, who are overburdened already. He also contended that every adult who uses the roads should be made to work on them, or contribute towards their maintenance. The chairman of the Council, Mr. J. M. McKay, informed the members that this law was already rigidly enforced in the United States. Even although a man from another country was not settled there long enough to become naturalised, or to have a vote, he had to work on the roads, or find a substitute all the same. He agreed with Mr. Mallabond that when a young man obtained the right to vote, he should also become liable to do his share of work on the roads. The demands for charitable aid are becoming greater every year, and already they absorb about one-fifth of the county rates." Had this winter been auything like that of 1889 or 1890 there is no knowing what would have been t the result. However, " The wind has been tempered to the shorn County Council" so far. and although comparatively few repairs have been made, the roads are infinitely better than they were dnriog that calamitous period when over £1000 was needed for urgent repairs alone. However, Mr. Mallabond s scheme met with some favour in the Council, and it may be noticed generally that necessity and misfortune are the parents of nearly all. similar schemes.—[Own Correspondent.]

: TAUHOA. Hot much stirring this week. Everyone is on the tiptoe of expectation for Saturday, when the Te Kopuru Football Club conies to play Albertland at Port Albert, and with them the Kopuru Minstrels and Kopuru Brass Band. As this latter is the first brass band that has ever visited the settlement, the interest in the coming sport is very great, and the juveniles are eagerly anticipating the (to them) grdat event, as the majority have never heard a band in their lives. Some of the elder folk think that they have not lost much, but in this as well as other matters opinions- differ largely.— [Own Correspondent.] / ' WANGANUI NOTES. The annual meeting of the Wanganui Caledonian Society was held last week. The year's report was not of the most promising nature, showing, in fact, a great falling off in public interest. The amount of members' subscriptions obtained for the first year of the Society's existence was £61, but last year only £16 10a was recorded from the same source—a fact which speaks for iteelf. Several new members were proposed, officers for the ensuing year elected, and various other matters of importance—included among which was a proposal to considerably reduce both the number of events ana the amount of prize-money at the next gathering—were discussed and decided upon. Some of our probable " reps." at the New South Wales Rifle Association'! meeting started practice last week, and I have no doubt but that those who are ultimately selected will five a good account of themselves. Major 'urnell, Lieutenant Foster, and Private Kreuse are the most likely men to go. A wedding of some importance was celebrated on Thursday, the ilth instant. Mr. E. R. Jackson, the youngest son of Mr. F. R. Jackson, the well-known auctioneer, took unto himself Miss Bertha Peat, the fourth daughter of one of our most respected settlers, Mr. David Peat. The Rev. J. Tread well officiated at the ceremony, which was celebrated at; Hillside, the home of the bride's parents. In the evening the Fire Brigade Hall was brought into requisition, and right merrily did the friends of the young couple, who came from all parts of the district. chase the glowing hours with flying feet," and in the early morning there dispersed one of the happiest gatherings that ever congregated within its walls. The young couple left for Cawood, Wheuuakura, in the vicinity of Patea. The yearly report of the Chamber of Commerce, presented at the annual meeting last week, tended to show that things have at last taken a turn for the better. Eulogistic A'td congratulatory reference was made to Mr. A. Hatrick's enterprise and success in establishing up-river communication. It was mentioned that during the next year we should be visited by a direct home boat, which would make Wanganui the only port of call.—[Own Correspondent.]

OPAHEKE ROAD BOARD. The ordinary meeting of the Opaheke Road Board was held in the Valley school, on the 13th. Present: Messrs. Dunn, Markharn, Trail, and Whelan. The chairman having sent a Bote, stating that he could not attend the meeting, Mr. Markham was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. J. Kiely wrote asking the Board to make a sledge track into his property. Letter received. Mr. Buttler's tender, £10, for building two culverts, and doing some earthwork on River Road, was accepted. The clerk reported having attended the meeting of ratepayers at Maketu as the representative of the Board, for the purpose ot taking a vote and hearing any objections to the closing of a road between lot 120 and 121, and there being no objections, the Resident Magistrate declared the said road closed. The clerk was authorised to prepare a certificate for the signature of the Resident Magistrate. Messrs. Rooks, Norton, Wagner, and W. Shaw waited on the Board, asking the Board to fell the bush on the road fronting their various properties. Resolved, "That the Board offer 2s per chain to the several applicants. Mr. Shaw to be paid out of perpetual lease-thirds" The offer of the Board was accepted in each case. Mr. Deneney, Maketu, waited upon the Board asking that something be done to a gully near his farm. Resolved, " That Messrs. Markham and Whelan inspect the place in question." Resolved, To call tenders for erecting a bridge on a road leading to Mr. Sherdon's. Tenders returnable at next meeting." Mr. Trail was authorised to get the approach to Wilson's Bridge repaired. The following accounts were passed for paymentM. Sinclair, £6 2s sd; 0. Cummins, £19 lis 6d; Kauri Timber Company, £8 17s id ; J. Sinclair,. £1 15s; D. Sinclair, 6s; W. Stanley, 10s; H. Donohue, ss; J. Dinnin, 6s ; P. Keauey, ss.—[Own Correspondent]