COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9327, 10 October 1893, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM ode OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Te Awamuto", Monday, Ox Friday a serious accident happened to Mr. Hnugerford Roche, of Te Rahu. He was thrown heavily from his horse and sustained a severe dislocation of the'collarbone. He was taken down on Saturday to the Waikato Hospital, at Hamilton," by Mr. Pairmaun and Mr. Blackott of the Te Rahu School, where the dislocation was reduced by Dr. Kenny. Kiuikiiu, Monday. Tawhiao aud his followers are now busy farming at Parewera. He has this year extended the area of his wheat crop to something like 60 acres. There is a large and industrious native population at that settlement, but unfortunately there is just now much sickness amongst them, caused it is thought, from want of house sanitation. At night their wharcn are so crowded that sleeping in such a vitiated atmosphere has effected many of them with a low and depressing type of fever. * At the last monthly meeting of the Town Board Mr. Commissioner Rigg reported that such was the rough and broken condition of the streets under the control and management of the Waipa County Council leading to the creamery that milk suppliers when driving over them had to bold on to their milk cans. The Board was unanimous in deciding that it was useless to appeal further in the matter to the Council. They had done so before about six months ago and nothing had come from it. In the general opinion of those who are interested in the matter, the abolition of dual control by both council and board in town district; is one of the most urgent and necessary municipal reforms that auy Government could undertake. Now that the Puniu River has got rather low. Constable Lowther made a search on Friday for the body of the native that was drowned in driving through the river, wheu in flood last mouth. He succeeded in finding the dray and harness but was disappointed in not finding the body, us he fully expected to find it under or about'the dray entangled in the harness. There were a number of natives at the time on the bank of the river looking on, but although the constable called upon them several times to assist him in getting the dray out, not one of them, through some superstitious dread, could be induced to come near to or lay their hands on either dray or harness.

Morrinsville, Monday. The engineer to the county, in reporting on the state of the roads, says with respect to the Te Aroha-Lichfield Road that it is almost impassable between Te Aroha and Wairere, and in many other places requires repairs ; that it is very bad in the Mat&mata Riding, but in line order between Tanapa and Lichfield, and will require about £100 for repairs. The ThamesWaikaco Road will require a similar amount. An inspection of the Waotu Road with a view to closing the Government surveyed road, and opening up the line of road used at present between Putaruru and the Waotu bush, will require a bridge over the Pokiwheuua at the cost of £60. The Cambridge-Tauranga Road requires sanding, and other repairs to the amount of £50. The secretary of the Gordon special settlement has written to the Piako County Council offering to expend £70 on the £ for £ system iu improving the main road within the bounds of the settlement, but the Council considering that the £100 to be spent ou the Te Aroha-Lichfield Road was largely for their benefit, it has been resolved to ask the settlers to contribute the £70 referred to unconditionally for repairs in their own bounds. * The following is the financi.il position of the Piako County Council:—General account, in credit, £89 9s Id; Patetere riding, iu credit, £65 lis lid; Patetere interest account, in credit, £42 5s 9d ; Goldfields Reserve credit during month of August, £9 10s; Te Aroha riding, debit, £41 9s lid ; Te Aroha interest account, debit, £86 2s lid; cash in bank, £231 16s 2d. During the past six months the following sums had been expended on public, works : —Main and couiity roads: Cambridge-Tauranga Road, £15 17s; Te Aroha - Lichfield Road, £228 19s 9d; Thames-Waikato Road, £57 14s 7d; Cam-bridge-Oxford Road, £43 10s 9d ; CambridgeWaotu Road, £7 18s; Waiorongomai Bridge, £78 13s lld ; To Aroha Tramway, £19 3s 7d ; county offices, £180 7s Id, making a total of £638 3s Bd. Ngaruawaiiia, Monday. The annual meeting of the Ngaruawaiiia Lawn Tennis Club was held at the Delta Hotel on Friday last, Mr. T. W. Davies occupying the chair. The accounts for the past season showed a small credit balance. The Rev. R. Welch was appointed secretary and treasurer, and Misses Wilson and Davies and Messrs. T. W. Davies and Ellis were appointed a committee. A large number of new members were enrolled, and everything gives promise of the coming season being a most successful one. The committee was asked to arrange matches with the various local clubs, and also a return match with the West End Club, Auckland.

A most profound gloom overspread the township on Saturday last, when it became known that the wife ot our much-respected townsman, Mr. W. Butcher, had died suddenly during the previous night. Mrs. Butcher had retired to rest on the Friday night, apparently thoroughly well. She awoke during the night, complaining of a choking sensation, and in fifteen minutes she was dead. The deceased lady had been a resident here for upwards of twenty-five years, Mr. and Mrs. Butcher having celebrated their silver wedding in March last. An inquest was held yesterday, and, in accordance wiitli the medical evidence of Dr. Brewis, a verdict of " Death from heart disease "w as returned. At the Church of the Holy Trinity last night, Mr. (i. F. Dickeson expressed in feeling terms sympathy for the bereaved husband and children, and at the close of the service the " Dead March in Saul" wan played most impressively by Miss Gard.

[BY TKI,EGRArU.—OWN COIiKESI'ONDENT.S.] Hamilton, Monday. Mr. Graham Johnstone was to-day brought up befo.re Messrs. Knox and Jones, J.P.'s, charged, with being of unsound mind, and ou the testimonies of Drs. Brewis and Kenny was committed to the Asylum.

Ngajiuawahia, Monday. Mey.srs. Friar, Davies and (Jo. lost a valuable horse this morning. One of their employees was carting iiotatoes' from the river, when the horse backed over the bank and was drowned before it could be cut loose fro(ii the dray.

WAITAKEREI. Thm late very acceptable fine weather has greatly improved our roads, which, it is ueiidless to remark, have been at their worst tlris past winter A few tourists, however, notwithstanding the state of the roads, have ventured to the Falls. It has been found a creat convenience to some to hire a trap off .Mr. Sinclair, oi Svvanson, and thus escape /.he depths of mud of the first part of the /journey; but the road—if we can call it a road, better perhaps the mud track, through the bush, alongside the river—will not in a very tempting state for some time to come, being so overshadowed. The growth so far lias not been very great, but the early spring crops are looking well. % The lambing season was necessarily a trying'one on account of the weather, particularly the early part. In some cases the percentage of ewes lost was high, and in others more amongst the lambs only, but taking it on the whole the percentage of lambs has been satisfactory. We have a few more new settlers in different parts of the district. Election news so far has produced but little excitement. The great want of the district is better local government. This is folt all through it, but its exceedingly scattered state is much against unanimity of action. Most of the settlers and well-wishers of Mr. Henry Hunter, of Taupaki, look upon his announcement of contesting the Eden seat for the House of Representatives as a great mistake on his part. I have not heard of any candidate for the doubtful honour of representing this district in the Waitemata County Council. I am afraid nothing short of extire emancipation from that form of local government will do justice to the needs of this riding, which, though returning a good revenue re rates, is one of the worst off for roads, has been worse represented, and less fairly dealt with, than any other riding under 'the control of the Waitemata County Council,—that is, as far

as I have an opportunity of judging. lam happy to state that settlers generally seem more hopeful, and evidences of thrift j and prosperity are becoming more marked in every part of the riding.— Correspondent.]

; TE KOPURU. The monthly meeting of the Kopuru School Committee was held in the* Library on Tuesday, October 3. The chairman (M. Cobbald), the secretry (J. Brockliss), and Messrs. Molloy, Anderson, Vincent, McLeod, and Webb were present. It was decided to get a supply of printed forms for warning parents in cases of absentee children. The attendance at the school was reported to be very good. Inspector Airey's reports on the three schools in charge of the committee were read :— Kopuru school: The report was generally very favourable, but it was pointed out that the additions of attendances to the register were not made regularly at the proper time. Tatarariki school, which has only been opened one week: Hugh Campbell, sole teacher. The report was favourable, but it was pointed out that there was no water supply, and no means of warming, and the ventilation was bad. Redhill school: T. D. Rice, E5, teacher. The report was upon the whole satisfactory. It was shown that there was no water supply, and no means of warming. Boxes of outhouses were overflowing. The register showed some want of care. Tile attendance at the Kopuru school was reported at 100 : Redhill, 28; and Tatarariki, 13. The committee considered the reports satisfactory. , Owing .to various causes, Kopuru has for "a long time past had indifferent or bad reports. But the school seems now to have got into thorough good condition. The chairman was instructed to warn all parents not sending their children, according to regulations, and the committee will use their utmost endeavours to enforce . attendance. Mr. •a. Campbell, of the Tatarariki school, applied to the committee, to put him up some accommodation' for living in. Decided to reply to him, that it was distinctly understood that the householders were to provide him with accommodation. A circular was read from the board asking for a report as to the state of the schools grounds, draining, etc. The state of. the school ground drains, etc., is in general very good though water lies in one corner of the boys' ground. • Tins would be remedied by filling in with earth at an estimated cost of £0 or £8. The chairman was authorised to reply to the circular. It was decided to draw the head teacher attention to the need of some supervision in recess in the Kopuru School, as per inspector's report. Mr. McLeod undertook to make some arrangements respecting th« outhouses at Redhill. A sub-committee was appointed, consisting of the chairman, secretary, and Mr. Webb, to select books for the school library. They have £5 in hand for this purpose, which they expect the Board to supplement by another £5. An account for 4s 6d for advertising thanks for services rendered, was received from Mr. J. Stallworthy. This account had been previously before the committee. Some of the committee thought that as the liability had been incurred by the old committee, this committee was bound to meet it. Others thought that school funds ought not to be expended for such a purpose. Decided by 4to 3 to refer the account to Mr. J. Seymour, secretary of the old committee.—[Own Correspondent.]

PORT ALBERT. The quarterly meeting of the Wesleyan Methodist Mahurangi circuit, came off on Monday last, in the local chapel. In the afternoon the business and preachers' meeting was held, with tea towards evening, and a very well-attended session later on.' Their teas are usually noted for abundance and excellence, but on this occasion the arrangements were rather defective. In the evening a large number were present, well contrasting with the old-time meetings of about a score or so. Rev. Law occupied the chair, and addresses, music, etc., followed each other till a late hour. "Mr. A. Neal, who for a number of years lias occupied the position of local steward to the Society, gave in his resignation ; defective health, unhappily, being the cause. 4 A number of Mahurangi friends were present on Sunday and Monday, Us usual on these occasions. The weather was all that could be desired. The weather is, # of course, of perennial interest in an agricultural district. This is the third week of sunshine, excepting one day early in the first. Comparatively, roads here are as hard as adamant, or thither tending. Farmers are now over ears and head busy. Election matters are looming in the near future. Local politicians are, or rather have been, fully alert. Our emancipated sisters have been interviewed, anil claims to be enrolled have been sent to the Registrar. Scarcely any have been omitted in these districts. Will the Editor, below or elsewhere, note whether the term " Postmaster," at foot of claim to be enrolled, includes " Postmistress?" One or the other are near everyone, and those omitted could easily ride to nearest above official, and receive due attention. [Electors of the district should be more numerous and of easier access than either postmasters or postmistresses, and why not ask an elector of the district to witness the application ? A postmistress might be under age, and consequently not eligible for enrolment. Better adhere to an "elector of the district," as no gentleman would be churlish enough to refuse to witness a woman's signature to her application to be placed on the register.—Ed.J Names of candidates for this district (Waitemata), are partly, even now, before the electors. Messrs. Monk, Palmer, and now a rumour of Dr. Wallis. The latter is mostly an unknown quantity to country interests and people. Many worse men may be in the House. Both the others are known ; it may be interpreted, as political bias, to say well known. Since prior to last general election, no member of the " House" has been near Port Albert: the penalty of being severed from one electorate and tacked on to another. But the person many here voted for, Mr. R. Thompson, has been fairly attentive to local requests, and save as regards the Government Liquor Bill, when he appeared wholly astray, has proved a useful man.—[Own Correspondent.]

. TAIRUA. On Monday last, the 2nd instant, a ball was given by Mr. Henry Laycock, at his residence, to celebrate the coming of age of his daughter, Miss ' Mabel Laycock. Invitations were issued to a number of the residents, and about twenty couples responded. The new store was swept, garnished, and tastefully decorated with ferns, nikaus, etc., as a bull room. The large dining-room was also artistically decorated, and the tables literally groaned with the quantity of good things placed upon them. When I say that this special department was under the superintendence of Mrs. Laycock herself, it is sufficient guarantee to all old Tairuaites that everything was served up iu first-class style. After partaking of the good things, dancing commenced, Mr. \V. Strugnell acting as M.C., the music being provided by Mr. G. Culpau, assisted by the young lady guests, at the piano. Many and hearty were the good wishes for long life and happiness tendered to Miss Mabel Laycock ; her kindly disposition and wiiming manner having made her a general favourite with all classes of the community. Some choice songs were rendered between the dances, Mr. Laycock himself rendering in splendid style "The Red, White, and Blue." The ball broke up at two o'clock, and after giving three hearty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Laycock, Miss Mabel, and all the family, the guests wended their way homewards, unanimously admitting that they had never spent a more enjoyable evening during their sojourn in Tairiia. The mill is now shut down, and all hands except those who have left for Mercury Bay, are on the spear." Let us trust that the demand for timber may so increase that our management may see their way to resume operations here at an early date. Some splendid prospects are being obtained at the new gold rnsn at the Third Branch. As I intend shortly paying it a visit I will forward you an account indue course.—[Own Correspondent.]

TAHEKE. SOME excitement was caused here last Saturday week by a report that the daughter of a settler had beon assaulted by a Maori on the gumfields. The affair happened on Friday afternoon, the 22nd September, when the girl was leading a packhorse. laden with meat, across the gumfiolds at Taheke. Two men who were digging for gum heard someone cry out, and on running to see what the matter was, found her on the ground and saw a Maori run away from the place and mount his horse. They gave chase, but were of course unable to come up with the man. The matter is in the hands of the police, who have, I understand, grounds for suspecting a certain native, and are on his tracks. The occupiers of land adjacent to the Punakitere have suffered so much lately from the Hooding of that river, that they are beginning to despair of being able to hold on. The flood water cannot get away when the fresh subsides, as the banks are higher than the land behind, and the only means of getting it off would be by constructing a Dig drain through the back of all the sections. A small creek could be partially utilised, 4 the work is too heavy an one to be undertaken by the settlers themselves. A petition to the Government is in course of preparation, dealing with the subject. The : settlers on the Auckland endowment have also a real, grievance. The road through 1 the block has never been a good one, but now part of it is nonexistent, it having disappeared into the creek below. The occupiers of land there have to find tracks across some of the sec-

tions, and their only outlet will, I understand, be soon fenced off.. Several of them nut in a day or two repairing a bad part 01 S3 road, and have invited the Government Road Inspector to have a like amount ot work done. I have not heard with what, "we'have had a week or so ?rvery fine weather, which is quite exhilarating after the fearfully long spell of wet we have endured. —{Own Correspondent.]

KAWAKAWA. , . The news from Auckland that three thousand women had already _ registered, tneir claims for voting made quite a stir in our quiet township, and there was a rush to the registry office. There are now in the field soliciting the votes at Kawakawa, and in the county, four candidates, Messrs. Houston (the present member), John Lyndon, JbranU Dargaville, and Trouuson, of Wairoa, but, at a meeting held in Kawakawa the proposition to vote exclusively for Mr. Houston was carried unanimously, as it is said that he really has fully performed all he had underparticularly the vote for £300 tor a new court-house and lock-up, also votes lor the repairing and completion of the several roads that he had been requested to obtain. All has been granted, so that the works on roads, etc., in the Bay of Islands, will be of some note, and make some work all over the county, and in the new settlements. It seems also that the Survey Department will be able, from the votes in the Public Works Statement, to open up several new blocks for sale and immediate settlement, our community have so long urged on the powers that be through their representative and the ... A circular has been going the rounds of the gumfields north of Auckland, from a committee, where or how got-up does not appear. It calls upon all to give their support to the three they have named : Waitemata, Jackson Palmer; Marsdeu, R. Thompson ; and Bay of Islands and its electorate, Frank Dargaville. • The object of this movemeet, it states, is to upset a clique that has for its object the return of members hostile to the present Ministry, which the circular states has been the most liberal we have had years. In Kawakawa there will be a different opinion, as Mr Houston will undoubtedly carry the day here, as the opinion in his favour is most certainly unanimous. Another rumour has caused some excitement lately.it being an order to all gumbuvers to cease altogether from purchasing any gum for three months. Such is said to be the orders from Auckland. This will very seriously affect the great mass of gumdiggers in the several districts, as they have no other means of living than by the sale of their gum. The work in the mines at Kawakawa still goes on steadily, keeping up the supply to the demand, and, as was the case the last months, being also able to have sufficient ready for one or two extra steamers that were notified as likely to call at Opua to coal if such could be guaranteed. This was done, and completed as requested.—[Own Correspondent.]

WHANGAROA. A soiree and concert was given on Monday, the 25th September, by the Kaeo Lodge of the American Order of Oddfellows, as a farewell to Brothers John and William Flavell, who are leaving the district, to settle in Waiuku. There was a full attendance of the brethren, aud the hall was crowded with them and their friends. After tea, aud the room being cleared, a good programme was gone through. Brother P.O. R. Armiger, of the Star of Auckland Lodge, representative of the D.D.G.M. here, ably presided, and called Mr. F. Fairbum to open proceedings with an overture, after which the following items were gone through :—Song, " In Hnprjy Moments," Mrs. Maurice; recitation, '* Inkermann," Brother E. Shepherd ; song," The Fisherbov," Miss Haydea ; pianoforte, " The Sultan's Grand March," Mr. Bernard Armiger ; song, " The Tar's Farewell," Brother Burgess. A presentation of a P.V.G.jewel was made on behalf of the lodge by the chairman to Brother John Flavell, in recognition of the active part which the said brother has taken in the working of the lodge since its formation. In presenting the gift the chairman spoke upon the special advantages of belonging to a friendly society and of this order in particular, urging all you:ig men to join a benefit society so as to provide for days of sickness and adversity. lie also referred iu warm and kindly terms to the services rendered by Brother John-Flavell and expressed the regret that the lodge felt at his departure from Kaeo. These remarks were echoed by the aprdau.se of the audience. Brother John l<lavell suitably replied, acknowledging the receipt of, the presentation. Afterwards the programme was resumed by the song of " Softly and Slowly Music Shall Flow," by Mr. Fairburn. The second part consisted of an instrumental duet by Mrs. Maurice and Miss Louisa Flavell; song, " Some Day I'll Wander Back," Miss Havden (encored): song, " I Laugh, Ha! Ha !" Mr. William Downes ; pianoforte. " Silvery Echoes," Mr. Bernard Armiger: song, " Every Inch a Sailor," Brother Burgess: pianoforte duet, Mrs. Maurice and Miss May Penney ; song, " How Sad it is to say Farewell," Mr. Fairburn ; recitation by Brother E. Shepherd: after that the audience sang "Aula Lang Syne." Dancing was then kept up by the younger people till the small hours of the corning. So many people were able to attend from a distance, as the night was beautifully fine, there being a full moon, and* the roads comparatively passable added to the pleasure of the travelling. On the night of the 27th, Mr. William Flavell's friends in Whangaroa entertained him and his family at a farewell social in the hall. There being about forty couples present, a very enjoyable evening was spent. At the close, the good wishes of the residents were conveyed to Mr. Flavell, and " Auld Lane Syne" was again sung.—[Own Correspondent.]

HASTINGS. The carnival week is now over, and the pleasure will close by a great sale of stock of all descriptions, which takes place at Beecroft's repository. The weather has been glorions all through. The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club has been extremely fortunate in ! the matter of attendances-good fields and sunshine ; not a single hitch occurred to mar the sport. The Hastings Trotting Club had the same good luck, as everything went as merrily as a marriage bell.

Our Taradale neighbours must be congratulated at having at their disposal the most comfortable public conveyance that has yet been seen in the province. This vehicle is in the shape of a palace car, and is similar to what the Wellington Tramway Company use. It has been built to the order of Mr. A. Macdonald, the wellknown hotelkeeper of Kuripapanga, and will ply between Napier and Taradale. It will carry 36 passengers, and three horses draw it easily. The car is on low wheels, and has a footboard runniug the whole length of the car, on botli sides, which makes it very convenient fgr getting on and off. Comfortable, wide leather seats face one another, and a light roof, supported with iron rods, helps to give an elegant appearance to the whole cojfeern. Mr. W. F. Burnett, whose sad death by suicide cast a gloom over the township, was privately buried on Saturday morning in the Hastings cemetery, instead of being remo vedTo Nelson for interment as was first intended. The deceased gentleman was greatly esteemed in the district, and was a cultured gentleman in every sense. Financial troubles are supposed to be the cause of his rash act.

Mr. W. Nelson, of Tomoana, has imported a splendid irrigation plant, manufactured by Chynne, of Hammersmith, London, for his Chesterophe estate. The engine was working on the show grounds, and attracted great attention. It can lift 120,000 gallons of water in an hour, and will be invaluable for irrigation purposes during a dry season.

I am glad to see that our small farmers are getting their large milk cans in readiness for the opening of the butter factory, which will commence operations during the mouth, —[Own Correspondent.]