COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9032, 10 November 1892, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

" PAPA RATA. > The monthly meeting of the Paparata Band of Hope was held on Thursday evening, November 3. Mr. J. Long was in the chair. The meeting was opened with a hymn and prayer, after which the following programme •was rendered: Recitation, Miss Maggie Shanks nolo, Miss M. Buttimore; recitation, Miss S. Sharp; choir, " Sound the Battle Cryreci ition, Miss Shanks; solo, Mrs. !>• Mackenzie; recitation, Miss M. Buttimore; choir, "The Army of the Brave;" reading, Mr. J. Long; solo, Miss Maggie Shanks; choir, " Brave Soldiers Hear clarionet solo, Mr. T. Wright; recitation, Mis S. Sharp. Mr. Worsley presided at the harmonium, and Mr. Wright the clarionet. A very pleasant meeting was brought to a close by singing the hymn, " Father, from Thy Throne Above," and the Benediction.—[Bombay Correspondent.] BOMBAY. On Tuesday, November 1, the monthly meeting of the Band of Hope was held in the Wesleyan Church. The night was fine, but the attendance was rather thin, owing to counter attractions in the public hall in the shape of a bear show. This being the first of the kind held here, the youngsters flocked to see tho performing bears; - However, we had a very good meeting, and a nice little programme, thanks to our. energetic secretary, Miss Buttimore Mr. Morgan occupied the chair, and Mr. Patterson kindly officiated at the organ. The following took part in the programme, viz., recitations by Misses Buttimore (2), A, Jessup, S. Sharf, F. Morgon. Cissy Cornthwaite, and Willie Landin; readings, by Misses Gillon, H. Allison, Messrs. Morgan and S. Smith solo, by Miss Gillon. The meeting was closed with Hymn 24 and the benediction. (In Thursday evening, November 3, a missionary meeting was held in the Wesleyan Church. The Rev. Mr. Lee was the speaker. The attendance was very thin. Oil Friday evening, November 4, the annual soiree in connection with the Wesleyan Church was held. Tables were laid in the hall, and were provided by Mesdames Willis, Allison, aud Lindsay, and ably presided over by Mrs. W. Lindsay, and Misses Allison (2) and Gillon, with their attendants. A goodly number sat down to tea. After tea there was an adjournment to the church to hear the Rev. Jos. Berry deliver his popular lecture, "My Trip Ihrough America." The church was nicely .decorated with ferns, liikaus, and flowers. The Rev. Mr. Carr, circuit minister, presided, and opened the meeting with a hymn and prayer by Mr. Spooncr. The Paparata choir then rendered an anthem, Mr. Worsley presiding at the organ. Mr. Lindsay read the financial statement in connection with the debt of the church. An effort is being made to raise £140 to help to reduce the debt on the church. Mr. Carr then introduced the lecturer to the audience. The rev. gentleman at onco plunged into the subject of his lecture, and in a vivid and graphic manner described their trip from Frisco through America to Washington, keeping the audience in a lively humour for nearly two hours, and then did not finish his lecture. The only thing which marred the thorough enjoyment of the lecture was caused by some senseless larrikins letting off crackers outside the church. Some of the incidents described, which came under his observation, seemed almost incredible. Fancy a fellow being fast asleep in the middle of the night, when the fire-gong goes, and in seven seconds lie is up, dressed, and in his place on the engine to start for the scene of the fire. Then, again, at the big hog - killing establishment in Chicago, fancy killing and dressing seven hogs a minute. I don't think our local pig-sticker would swallow that. However, it is done.' At ten o'clock Mr. Berry pave it best, though he had not nearly finished. He spoke for nearly two hours, with only one break, when the choir sang an anthem. A vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies for their assiduous duties during the day and evening. The hymn, "God Be With "You," and the Benediction, brought the proceedings to a close. At the meeting of the district school committee, Mr. James McGowan was the candidate for the ICducation Board voted for. Two voted for Mr. Wilding and three for Mr. McGowan. Ke scholars failing to pass at one school and following the inspector to another, was brought up at the meeting. The chairman had received a reply from tho Board to the effect that there was nothing in the regulations to preclude a scholar who had failed at one school following the inspector to another school, and being put up again. Also, the school where the scholar passed would be credited with the pass, but the failure would not count, simply because the scholar had not made any attendances. This shows clearly that the present system of school examination is not a true test of the progress of a school. In our school, there were 13 failures. Two of the failures followed. the inspector, and wero again put up. One passed, the other failed. If the whole of the failures had followed the inspector and passed in the same ratio, it would have brought the failures down one-half. Still our school would be credited with 13 failures, and other schools been credited with the passes.—[Own Correspondent.] NORTHERN WAIROA. The Mangawliare .people have a splendid cricket ground, almost equal to the Auckland Domain Ground, but they appear to have no cricketers. The Aratapu and Kopuru people have the players, but they have no ground. The Aratapu Club have ordered a matting, and hope to make a good pitch in that way. Messrs. E. F. Broad aud Dufaur, directors of the Kauri Timber Company, have been having a look round the mills here. The Wesleyan Sunday evening services, which were discontinued during the winter, have been resumed with the advent of fine weather and improved roads. The Te Kopuru sawmill is now again in full swing, and the place will soon smile once more. The people nave kept well together, aud a large proportion of the old faces have resumed work. I hear that lower wages are now given at some of the positions in the mill. The alteration in the time-table of the steamers running between Helensville and Dargaville is not generally approved. _ Were the cargo boat to leave Helensville on Wednesday evening instead of Tuesday, we would be kept iu better communication with the outside world. Some specimens of the Australian dollar bird have appeared in this district, and some of them have been shot out of curiosity. They are entirely iusectivorous, as can be seen by a careful observer, and as was proved by a 2>o.it-mor/e?n examination of one. The Dargavillo Rifle Club, as far as the up-river settlements are concerned, seems to have died from inanition. The Aratapu and Kopuru contingent is, however, anxious to start operations once more, and several new members are waiting to join. The annual meeting of the club was held at Dargaville last Saturday, when nearly all those present belonged to the down-river contingent. Mr. J. M. Dargaville, president, occupied the chair. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year President, Mr. Dargaville , secretary, Mr. N. A. McLeod ; managing committee, Messrs. H. Haswell, A. Wilson, J. Lindley, S. Webb, aud W. J. Bassett. The statement of accounts was read and approved, the club having a credit balance of £6 beyond liabilities. It was decided to notify the Dargaville members to call upon the secretary forthwith for their rifles, and if the same be not reclaimed within a stated period, they be handed over to the new contingent about to be formed at Arapohue. Mr. S. Webb moved that the iron targets now at Dargaville be removed to Aratapu, but it was considered that the canvas targets at that place had worked very successfully, and an amendment was carried to give the iron targets to the new contingent at Arapohue. The president consented to send down for all arrears of ammunition due, and when it arrives firing practice will at once begin. The recent heavy rains caused freshes which moved many logs which had been fast for two years and more. Hundreds of logs were brought down, aud the creeks in every handy part have been boomed to hold the logs ready for the mills. There are said to be about 28,000 logs now in the various booms about the river. In some places the booms were carried away, and have had to be replaced, and the Aratapu village blacksmith is now full of work.

The only cricket matches played last Saturday were Married v. Single, one at Tatarariki and the other at Aiatapu. In -both instances the benedicts were defeated, although in the latter place they were before victorious. At Tatarariki the highest scores were —Rice, 20; T. Elliott, 19, for the bachelors; and W. Legge, 12; and James Molloy, 13, for the benedicts ; the single men winning by 17 runs. At Aratapu the married men were defeated by 48 runs, but were very much weakened by the absence of Marcroft. J. Elliott, 39, and R. Masefield,2l, for the victors, and Stallworthy, 19, for the losers, were the only double figures. A grand fancy dress skating carnival was held in the Aratapu rink on Friday evening, and was quite a success. The Aratapu Brass Band was in attendance, and added much to the enjoyment of all. Two hours were spent: in skating, and then followed three hours of dancing. The Kopuru footballers held a social dance on Friday evening as a wind-up of their season. There were nearly 70 couples present, and the hall was almost more than filled. This club has had an enthusiastic season, which they closed in a hearty manner with the social. Music was supplied by Messrs. James and F. Molloy, and Messrs. T. Smith and C. Molloy were the M.C.'s.— Correspondent.?

OPOTIKI TOWN BOARD. The monthly meeting; was held on the Ist '11 t. Present ": Messrs. J. C. Arthur (in the chair), R. T. Abbott,' S. Moody, J. Parkinson, and J. Smith. The school committee applied to have the footpath formed and drain filled up opposite the school buildings in Church-street. Mr. Abbott said there were many miles of similar drains in the township, dug by private persons without consent of the local authority, and he thought they should be cautious in dealing with the matter. After discussion it was resolved not to entertain the application. Several small matters having been disposed of, the Board proceeded to the appointment of a clcrk. The chairman said that since the Board decided to call for appiicasions for the clerkship he had inquirer! into the matter, and found that it was not compulsory for them to do so, as he found that such a position as that of Town Clerk was only taken from the holder by reason of misconduct or non-fulfilment of his duties. He was sure the Board was perfectly satisfied with Mr. Elliott, and this being so, he contended that the inviting of applications was doing him an injustice, therefore, he thought they should reinstate him in the office. Mr. R. 1. Abbott agreed with the chairman, and was sorry they had dropped into the error. There was no doubt they had good reason to be satisfied with Mr. Elliott, and he begged to propose, "That Mr. Elliott's services be retained." The late Board had been so satisfied with him that a resolution, proposed by Mr. Dawson, and seconded by Mr. Moody, was passed, thanking him for his services. He thought, therefore, they could not do better than reappoint him. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Parkinson thought they should read the applications as an act of courtesy towards the applicants. The applications were then read as follows :— M. Downey, W. Parkinson, Edwin Sandeman (solicitor), John 8011, J. J. Hay, and H. E. Elliott (solicitor). Mr. Abbott's motion was then put and carried, Messrs. Moody and Parkinson only voting against it. Applications for the position of surfaceman were read from the Following:— Q-. Ball, jun., W. McAulay, James Hamilton, C. Hennessy. Mr. Moody proposed that J. Hamilton be appointed. Seconded by Mr. Parkinson, and carried unanimously. The chairman and Messrs. Abbott and Mpody were appointed the Surface Committee for the ensuing month. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.—fOwn Correspondent.]

WHAKATANE COUNTY COUNCIL. The lust monthly meeting was held at Opotiki. Present: Messrs. C. F. Bockett (in the chair), H. R. Hogg, A. Parkinson, S. Moody, S. Bates, and Dr. Reid. Presentation of Silver Medal. —It having been arranged that at thin meeting the silver medal and certificate of the Royal Humane Society of . Australasia should be publicly presented to Mr. James White, that gentleman was present, as well as some interested spectators. [The proceedings connected with the presentation have already been published in our columns.] Mr. White made an appropriate acknowledgment, thanking those who had brought the case under the notice of the society for the interest they had taken in the matter. _ Correspondence.— The outgoing correspondence was read and approved. Mr. Berry interviewed the Council on the subject of his proposed deviation of the Waiotahi Road, and asked that the deviation be arranged before repairs were made. _ The Council declined the proposed deviation. Tenders. — Tenders were opened for repairs to the Waiotahi Road._ They proved to be above the Engineer's eetiinate, and the Engineer was authorised to have the work done by private contract or to accept the lowest tender at his discretion. Encroachments by the River. — The Domain Board wrote asking the Council to join in a scheme for stopping the encroachment of the Otara River at the Domain Reserve and Slaughter-yard Reserve. Resolved, "That the Council regrets being unable to do anything in the matter." A Sick Person.—Letters were read regarding the sending to the Hospital a settler named Henry Will, who required constant attention. A guarantee of 28s per week was required by the Auckland Hospital. The chairman moved "That the case be recommended to the Charitable Aid Board as being a proper one for the Hospital." Seconded by Dr. Reid and carried unanimously. Memorial to Sir H. A. Atkinson.—A circular was received from the Mayor of Hasvera, covering subscription list for proposed memorial to Sir H. A. Atkinson. Laid on the table. Road Drainage.— North Island Land Association wrote with regard to draining the Whakatanc-Te Teko road, and straightening the Orini river near the special settlement at Whakatane. The Chairman said the draining might be included in the proposed works 011 this road, but that as to the Orini river, the question as to whether it is for the Association or the Council to do the work must be decided before the expense of a report by the engineer can bo incurred. Resolved to reply to this effect. Road Votes.—Mr. Kelly, M.H.R., wired that the amount on the Estimates for sundry roads is £500, for Waimana, Parish £300, and for Waiotahi £300, and that he hoped to get a sum on the Supplementary Estimates for the Waioeka bridge. It was agreed to ask the engineer if any modification of his scheme of repairs to the Waioeka bridge, estimated to cost £800, could be devised. Treasury Voucher.—The Treasury forwarded voucher for £30 6s 4d, subsidy on the outlying district. Waioeka Bridge.—lt was agreed that the chairman again wir° to the Government asking what sum is on the Estimates for the Waioeka bridge. Accounts.—Some small accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. —[Own Correspondent.]