COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9186, 28 April 1893, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM our OWN CORRESPONDENTS,]

Hamilton, Thursday. Dr. Kenny, the medical officer of the Hospital, assisted by Dr. Kerr, lias successfully executed the delicate operation of removing cancer from the lip of one of the patients. The financial result of the performance of the Hamilton Amateur Opera Company on Tuesday night is not very encouraging. The expenses amounted to £14 odd, and the receipts to a similar amount. The case Hunter v. Lewis lias been brought to an amicable settlement. Mr. Lewis will not appeal against the judgment given in the Resident Magistrate's Court, and Mr. Hunter, satisfied with having got a judgment in his favour, has very liberally agreed to forego the costs of £27 given in his favour, Mr. Lewis taking the cattle at the auction price. Nuaiutawahia, Thursday. Mr. E. Fitzpatriclc, of this place, leaves here on Monday, en route for the Home country. It is expected that ho will return towards the close of the year. HIJNTHiY, Thursday The following team will represent Huu'tly at the Football Association match to bo played against Whatawhata, at Ngaruawahia on Saturday :—Fullback, M .Gleeson ; threequarters, Reid, Barton, C. Lovell, G. Walsh ; halfbacks, T. Conolly (captain), H. Dansey ; forwards, J. Sampson, MoSweenev, J. Montgomery, A. Douglas, Marshall, R Montgomery, S. Harris, 11. Marshall, and J. B. Harris. Emergencies, Clout uudGreig. PUKEKOHE WEST. Tub young grass and turnips arc looking well, and feed is fairly plentiful. A few of our fanners have not as yet finished their chaffing and threshing, nor will they bo able to do so while, the present weather continues. Never in all my thirty-five years' experience as an agriculturalist do I remember wheat so low in price. It is really ruinous. Surely our millers should be able to pay the same here for wheat as is obtainable in the Australian colonies.

1 may mention for the benefit of those interested in the reduction of the auctioneers' commissions, etc., that Mr. Alfred Buckland, for the firm of Buckland and .Sons, has intimated by letter to the chairman of the public meeting held at the Pukekoho Hotel, that it is the intention of his firm to place the country sales on the same footing as the metropolitan or Remuera sales, and the same commission prevailing there will for the future be charged in the country districts. Mr. Alfred Buckland, jun,, held his monthly cattle sale in the new yards on Monday last, the 24t'i instant. There was a good attendance of the surrounding settlers, and good competition was kept up for the different classes of cattle throughout the sale. A great number of cattle were yarded, especially dairy cows, for which class of cattle keen bidding was elicited. One halfbred Jersey, belonging to Mr. James lioulston, brought close on £10. For springers from £5 10s;

backward cows from £3 to £4 10s; fat cattle about the same as usual. Calves and young cattle from 10«, 15s, 255, 355, £2 10s, and £3 each. Several horses were offered, but very few changed hands.—[Own Correspondent.] WAIUKU. Os Saturday last, the day appointed for the nominations of ratepayers to vacancies in the Waiuku and Waipipi Road Boards caused by the retirement of Messrs. Dromgool and W. Fiavell, and the resignation of (Jr. H. Selby in the former and the retirement of Messrs. Keogh and J. McNaughton in the latter, at the hour of noon, only three nominations, the number requited, were received, viz. :—Peter Dromgool, who takes the place of his brother ; W. Fiavell, re-elected ; and C. Hosking, in place of G. H. Selby, resigned. The returning officer, Mr. J. T. Mellsop, declared those three gentlemen duly-elected members of the Waiuku Highway Board. In the Waipipi, Messrs. John Keogh and John McNaughton were declared duly re-elected members of the Waipipi Highway Board. The encampment of the throe mounted troops, viz., Waiuku Troop Cavalry, Te Awamutu, and South Franklin Mounted Infantry, commences on Monday next, Ist May, at Windsor Park, the property of Mr. E. Constable, who has kindly placed the ground at their disposal for the occasion. The troops will be in camp the whole week. Tenders were received at 4 p.m. on Saturday for the supply of rations for the men and horses. There were several tenders, and Mr. C. W. Flexrnan's tender for groceries, milk, potatoes, etc., was accepted. Mr. Hedge for butcher's meat, and Mr. Lewis' for bread, was accepted, the whole amounting to Is Ojd per man per day, which is considerably under the contract price at the late encampment at Kohimarama. Mr. George Pickard's tender for chaff was accepted at £3 10s per ton. The tenders for oats, hay, and straw are not yet decided. The weather for the past week has been very wet, rain every day, consequently the roads in most parts of the district are in a bad state.— Own Correspondent.! TITIRANGI. It seems a great pity that this district cannot be better represented in the County Council. Our roads are in a bad state already. On the road from Titirangi there are two bog holes which take your horse up to his knees, and these have been the same all the summer. One of the councillors expressed himself at a county meeting lately, when it was brought forward, that the councillors took no interest in the roads in their ridings, that it was no part of the councillors' duty to see to the roads, but they paid an engineer to look after them. In our district we may see the engineer once in twelve months. We, have no fault to find with him, but we expect a man that is placed iu the position of councillor by the ratepayers to study the ratepayers' interests. But still the general election takes place this year, and we must elect a real five member who intend", faithfully and impartially to study the ratepayers and their road 8.

We are going to have a new settler in the district, Mr. W. Pugh, he having bought an improved section and intends to settle on it. —f A Correspondent.]

POKENO.

Quite a " bit of fan " was imported into the school committee election, this year, It would appear that a stray member of the Woman's Franchise League intended putting up as a candidate. However, several men were nominated in that interest, instead; but there—another injustice to the cause—those tyrants of the opposite sex rolled up and discarded both her and her nominees. The utmost good nature prevailed throughout, and much personal chaff was indulged in. The Mangatangi races were held on Saturday last, the 22nd April. Very few persons went from this part, because of the heavy rainfall during that morning and the previous day. The main thoroughfare has been entirely renovated, and the contractors have made a very good job of it indeed. The only eyesore now is the part between the South Road and the station, which, as remarked previously, could be put right by the expenditure of less than £1 by the Maungatawhiri Road Board. It is earnestly to be hoped they will take action before the worst of the winter sets in. Two vacancies in the Pokeno Road Board occurred by ordinary process of time. The two retiring members—Messrs. J. J. Clark and R. J. Lyons—were re-elected without opposition. Mr. James McPherson, elerk of the Road Board, was in attendance at the public hall on Monday, 24th instant, and as only those two persons were nominated, ho had no trouble in declaring them duly elected.—[Own Correspondent.] ROTOR U A. Tourists and others will have no reason to complain of the dispute amongst the Maoris at Whakarewarewa over the toll fees. The following translation of a " Notice to tourists to the Rotorua Lake district" has been handed to me for publication — On the 22nd day of this month (April) Panapa te Nihotahi decided to close the toll-gate at Whajtarewarewa for one month. Therefore let r'l visitors go free ; do not pay to the toll-gfcte. But wait till the Native Minister or other officer of the Government appointed by him, or the Resident Magistrate, arrives to settle the question of a toll-gate. Then it will be right for visitors to pay what is then decided. At present there is no such charge for your seeing Whakareware 0 my friends." —(.Signed) M. H. Taupopoki. At the recent annual election of a school committee, which took place on Monday last, and resulted in only two of the old members being _ returned, although five of them were candidates, a rowdy element, it is alleged, mustered in force and pretty well took possession of the schoolroom. Complaint is also made that the scrutineers did not exercise that surveillance which the circumstances demanded. No check appears to have been taken of the number of voting papers given out, or the number of householders present. Some of those present, non-householders, were, it is said, allowed to vote, and in one instance at least the same individual voted twice. A protest against the manner in which the proceedings were conducted has been forwarded to the Education Board, Auckland,—[Own Correspondent.] MAUNGATUROTO. On Saturday evening, the 15th inst., a concert was held in Davies' Hall, in aid of the Congregation Church Funds. The concert was given by some musical friends from Aratapu, Northern Wairoa, and in every particular was a splendid success. The meeting was presided over by the Rev. C. E. Davidson. There was a full house. The weather was real summer weather, and everything passed off well. The following was the programme of the evening :—Piano duet, " Maritana," Mesdames Wylie and Black; song, "The Stowaway," Mr. Edmonds; song, " Ring Out Wild Bells," Mrs. Bassett; recitatiou. "The Last Shot," Mr. Bailey. This niece was founded on a scene in the Indian Mutiny, and was composed by Mr. Bailey himself, who recited it in a masterly manner. Song, " Daddy," Mrs. Black ; song, " Angel of My Dream, ' Mr. Steven ; song, " My Life for Thee," Mr. Webster; duet, " Sweet Dreamland Faces," Mesdaines Wylie and Black. After an interval of five minutes the second part was given —Piano solo, Mrs. Wylie; recitation, "The Kissing Cup, Mr. Bailey, who, in answer to an encore, gave "The London Waif;" song, " Ora Pro Nobis," Mrs. Bassett; song, " Mona," Mr. Webster ; song, " Grace Darling," Mr. Edmonds ; song, " White Wings,' Mrs. Black ; duet, "The Larboard Watch," Messrs. Webster and Edmonds; piano solo, Mrs. Wvlie. A hearty vote of thanks to the ladies "and gentlemen who had come from the Wairoa to entertain us, proposed by Mr. E. Ford and seconded by Mr. W. J. Bailey, was carried by applause, and the entertainment concluded by the singing of the National Anthem.—[Own Correspondent.] MANGAPAI. A most successful meeting of the Mangapai branch of the Blue Ribbon Association was held on the 11th April in the Presbyterian Church. There was a fair attendance notwithstanding there was no moonlight. A letter of apology from the president, Mr. Harrison, was read stating his inability to be present. Mr. Mackay acted as chairman. After the chairman address, the following programme was given :—Reading, Mr. S. Graham; song, Miss E. Graham, "The Vacant Chair ;' reading, the chairman ; song, Mr. J. Lynch, " Fare Thee Well;" recitation, Mr. Mackay ; sons:, Miss E. Graham, Please, Give Me a Penny;" reading, Mrs. Green: song, Mr. Lynch ; song. Miss E. Graham, Jessies Dream;" reading, Mr. Mackay ; song, Mr. Plummer. Hymns 37, 274, and 111, Sankey's collection, were sung at intervals. Miss Graham's songs were well received, and well merited the encore given. w mmmer "I so received an encore. We have had nearly a month's nice dry weather, which has been well taken advantage of in getting ploughing done, which was backward, owing to a wet summer. A good supply of logs has been hauled to the sawmill.

Many parts of our roads are in a very dangerous state, owiug partly to the heavy loads of timber drawn along them. Our bridges and culverts are not strong enough to bear such heavy weights, and have suffered much damage. A good deal of repairs are needed, j which it is hoped will not be neglected, else i some roads will shortly be impassable. | The local sawmill is found to be a great I boon to settlers, as timber can be procured at reasonable rates, and as a consequence set- ) tiers are getting new houses and additions to

old ones. Quite a little' town.v''!* ill formed beside the schoolhou*L U K 1 hall.— [Own Correspondent.] "* fo^ jf PAKUABAY A MEETING of the school commiff„ in the Public Hall on Satuffyfe" h«U Present: Messrs. Mallaboua ' ffl.C \ Moray, sen., Moray, jun., Lee, d tS>l lhe minutes of the previous mZiH» 1 read and confirmed, (w' , U H C Several letters were In «* P?<? I of Education relating to the am ,! el ffl*' a teacher to take charge 0 ou?W*B (» Miss Picken, of Wellesley.stie!; ft? Auckland, had been suggested tn t\ ''* mittee and accepted by 'them wL "? ** found that this lady could not f" "*« owing to the continued illness of J!! 8 member of the \Vellc»loy.«trec ?% staff. The committee are anxious n appointment of a successor to M;,,H ' should not be delayed, so that no ti be lost in the school. A letter ».,,!» from the Board drawing theattenti** committee to the inspector's report run school, and asking them to til" '* action which may have the effect of t 80i ing the disfigurement of the schorl V " ' The committee requested the chain put tip a notice at the Taranui school hf* effect that, "Any persons found iniu ;„ school property in any manner will I*. secuted without further notice." \'*K' : was received from Mr. A. R. Miller V'-"' now engaged painting No. 'J school to r the shed and the gate, for the sum J* 8 This the committee decided to accent M would make the shed uniform ?i fa] school. The Board of Education thant ' ! ' committee for the suggestion that a the educational advantages open toco""" scholars be printed and posted up if? schools, and promise to give effect to it i plii application was received from Miss ft r i»fl Anderson, teacher of the Taranui »* '* that a shed be erected in the grounds o>'f'' school for shelter for the children, 'hi, * referred to the incoming committee. Tel?'" having been invited for the erectingl swings, etc., in the several school » rou ,/ one tender was received which w»« sidered too high, and considerably mor s* : they would be justified in spending on Z! things. It was therefore resolved "ft* the resolution passed at the Weetißjo/b 25th February, authorising the erection ' I swings in the school grounds, be rtfcyJ and that no further action be taken in s matter by this committee." This ecocide the business of the meeting.-{O«7S poudent.] __ W,t>

WHANGAREI. A case of furious riding in the dark k Wednesday, resulted in serious consent Two native men and a native woman «v galloping furiously out of the town.offl with a waggon, which was coming down V Maunu road, near Mr. (Jamah's. All l were thrown. One of the men struck «2 a bridge, and got badly cut about the C' ;"■,' and face. The other went clean overt fore part of the waggon, and it ia fearedtb! the hind wheels went over his body, Hew taken to the Toitoi native settlement 0* Maori friends are rather given to fastridin and the roads about Wbangarei are air ' full of people up to a late hour, so a warm! of this kind was much needed still », must hope that the injured man will coif round. The cutting it the firebell hill j 8 m . greasing favourably, and the Town Bod ' lUf are making a lot of footpaths. They hat.! HI sum of £700 at their disposal, and therm W$ making a very good show with it. Mf The Hikuraigi railway is also -makta !» good progress. The big cutting that ira W$ supposed to keep the line back is now likelv 111 to be finished is soon as the rest. Seven vessels loaded wth rails have come in. Tht^ s "* sleepers are being carted, and ererytliinnlP appears to work smoothly. " We have had a lot of drizzling tain thiißl month, interferkig with contractors andlS spoiling the roads. Altogether this gumma has been very vet. Hardly any baau li*m|| been burnt, and now it is getting too lit*||||| However, during the last 36 years a «» fffi summer has always been followed by afc llgl winter, and we nust hope that this yearn? iff not prove an exception. • l|j| Amongst other signs of returning p, S'| perity it may be noticed that the maras |fJ are increasing is Whangarei county. it l|4J several years New Zealand hud fallen toil fflt lowest place in the Australian colonies |G| it is getting high time for a boom in lk M direction. |f, L j They are going to make another starts 111 Puhipuhi next month, putting in a drives H a low level. Mr. Thompson, M.H.R., has retws I from _ Australia, and one effect produel K by his travels is a higher opinion of h m Zealand. Mr. A. B. Wright, of the Survey Dim M ment, accompanied by the county en/jwr, m has been making a tour pi itutpAcUtfMv I number of the roads in and around thewuftj, I amongst others the road from Mangankito ' Tokatoka. A new bridge is in course of erec- j tion over the Mangouui river, and tenders; are to be called for felling the bosh right through, a distance of ten miles. This road will furnish communication between the settlements on the Lower Wairoa and Mat:-. pai; also opening up a large extent of gone I land, which has lain almost valueless fa y>k \ thirty years.— Correspondent.] Ii KAWAKAWA. Last week, after two or three days of ws |«f sional showers, the rain came down witha pfe will and rained—or, rather, poured. 'hi |Ji| more time was given to repair maty i: |I|l places in the roads in and about the ton ||| ship, and the main roads to and from Km ||1 kawa. The only event of interest to the ks ; munity is the Government notice of a ( opening of the land over some thirty oik |fij of the East Coast, from the boundary oft 0m county, near Whangaruru, to Russell, row rfe% Cape Brett, and up the harbour to thewhal ii||| which had been interdicted for two or '/ ■ years past; and as the granting of leave: '. ". dredge, for oysters was notified there win rush to obtain them. No fewer than sift? boats were taken out at Opua and Ru«- ft;:, It is hoped that, as there is always a d«u . for them in Sydney and other parts of As ■, ; ' tralia, it may induce the Union steamy,' ■ , coal again at Opua, so that the full worn i HH of the mines may be again resumed. 1 On Thursday last an event occurred gave our police constable another chws'i prove his well-earned repute in the pros?J attention to his duty. During his rounds the country he had been informed by* Patterson, the gum merchant at Kail* that he had private information of then** ~ tion of one of his customers, deep in his W 1 to go to Australia. The constable, prow with the account and a warrant r.s os* kept the matter quiet; but watching train leaving Kawakawa for Opna, M™ * 1 ; steamer, and, having discovered his roM -" j , ■■ quietly informed him that unless the »«*» ■$}* that he produced was there and lh«I" \ l .\ he would have to detain him- A* ;i ; was pressing, the would-be levanterf" ~; jj the amount and departed.—[Own W» |v,, , | pondent.J

NEW PLYMOUTH. j< Mr. Wektman, Commissioner ofCis* |«|| Lands, lias received notice that he ll '*, .|g| transferred to the Blenheim office, »M |||| Stranchen. of the Westland province. * ||g§ take Mr. Weetmau's place here. ,jII j Mr. MeGuire addressed a fair n|ff .j , [] electors in the Injdewood Town H»« '.. |«| Friday evening. He pave deWi* " '" doings last session of Parliament, *° mised to ase his best, endeavours Mb"* J East Road improved. A vote of th*», confidence vas Riven at the conclust* 01 address. . ~;„£ The addition to St. Mary's Church i» l *' j.,; ' pushed on rapidly. The ceremony oik hir a memorial in the cornerstone j; new addition took place on Monday ' , inK- The first stone of the church *» 0 . , in 184"). Then it was enlarged m '»-; attain in 18(56, and again at the prc«n V ' The ceremony consisted of a l lS ' jO»i hymn, and concluded with i>rayer.-i« Correspondent.] =====