COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9270, 4 August 1893, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM our own correspondents.]

Hamilton, Thursday. Rain fell incessantly and heavily last night. Matters are getting very serious. The roada are getting into such a state that the whole work of reconstruction will have to recommence when the line weather sets in, which with the replacing of culverts and bridu'es, will greatly increase local taxation. The river is now nearly as high as in the year of the great flood (1875), and especially the Waipa. The Waikato representatives in the football match to be played at Auckland on Saturday, against an Auckland team, left by this morning's train, and will play at Pukekohe against the Franklin representatives on their way down this afternoon.

OllAOl'O, Thursday. Chaff for cattle feed is beginning to get scarce, not because the material is not in the district, but from the bad state of the roads and culverts not permitting the machines to bo taken from one place to another. Fanning operations were never so backward. Tin ground is so thoroughly soaked that all tin rain that falls remains upon the surface, and even when the weather chances a fortnight at least will have to elapse before the plough can be set going on brokenup land. Lust night again the rain fell continuously from sundown to sunrise.

It will be seen with pleasure by the general public that the South Auckland Racing Club at its meeting of yesterday has rescinded its resolution of last year, that the membership fee be one and ahalf guineas, and that the original charge of one guinea has been returned to. This raising the fee is most decidedly one of the causes of the loss on last year's proceedings, though the chief cause was the bad weather we suffered at the time of the race meetings. The raising of the fee not only induced a direct pecuniary loss, hut it made the club unpopular with the general public, and tended to decrease the attendance at its meetings. The Noxious Weeds Bill has been con-

demned by the Piako County Council, and the clerk instructed to write to the Minister of Agriculture, that in the opinion of the Council the proposed Act is unworkable, and would act disastrously on settlers generally. Further, that the Council hoped it would not be passed. Morrinsviu.i:, Thursday. The balance-sheet of the I'iako County Council shows an expenditure for the year of £3152 8s 7d, and a statement of accounts to date shows the general account to be in debt to the extent of £201 13s 2d. Te Aroha Riding is in debt £45 10s Sd ; Patetere Riding, in credit, £109 Is : Te Aroha interest in debt, £75 18s 7d ; Patetere interest, in credit, £84 9s Sd. It has been resolved to open a bank overdraft to the extent of £000 for the current year.

feWAIUKU. SINCE writing my last I have little more to report with reference to the weather, only it has been worse, and heavier rain, and one of the heaviest Hoods known here for several years was experienced on Sunday and Monday last. The Awaroa Creek overflowed, consequently causing the Otawa, to be flooded so bad that some of the cattle had to he removed in consequence. £ortunateiy, we have had a fine day to-day (Tuesday), but the clouds are heavy, and another downpour is expected. Measles are more prevalent just now than they have been previously, and in consequence the Central school is temporarily closed. The average for the last week is under a dozen

From notices I see posted in the village, the Rev. L. M. Isitt will deliver a lecture on the Direct Veto in the Temperance and Public Hall on August the 17th.

At a meeting of the school committee, held last evening, it was decided to close the central school until the 14th instant, owing to measles, colds, wet weather, and bad roads. It has been raining hard again all the morning, and there are no signs of it ceasing.— [Own Correspondent, August 2.]