COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9328, 11 October 1893, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Tuesday. The ladies of Hamilton have set themselves the task of liberally augmenting the stakes for the Ladies' Bracelet, to be run for at the Summer Meeting of the South Auckland Racing Club, and to do this, they have decided to give a dramatic entertainment. Nominations for the triennial election of Councillors for the Waikato County Council will be received up to noon of Tuesday next, the 16th instant, at the county office, Kinkiriroa, and the election will take place on Wednesday, November the Bth. Taopirt, Tuesday. The matter of the Mangawhare Road has been left by the Kirikiriroa Road Board in the hands of Mr. B. Maclean to carry out. After an inspection of the road by the chairman of the Board, Mr. J. Coates, and Messrs. Gordon and Maclean, it was suggested '..hat the Board should offer Mr. Welsh £15 to make a road available for traffic to Taupiri. subject to the approval of the Board. This offer Mr. Maclean was authorised to make. Oiiaupo, Tuesday. At the monthly meeting of the Pukekura Road Board, it was resolved to carry out the following works, viz., to form the road fronting Mr. C. Dunn's, and to fill up the hollow ; to plough and level the road leading to Mr. G. Bailey's and the Cemetery ; to form and gravel Carlvle-street; to put in order the Pukekura Redoubt Road: to form and gravel the road from Keiley's corner to Seabrook's gate; to fill in a Maori pit near Fletcher's : to form and gravel the road from Denton's Hill to the bottom of the rise near Vickers: to clear, plough, and gravel the Putney Road from the end of the old formation to the top of the hill at Mystery Creek ; and to plough and level the road from Reynolds' corner to the Factory Road and clear out the water-tables. Letters have been received by the local bodies, who have appealed to the Railway Commissioners st Wellington against the refusal of the Railway Department in Auckland not to reduce the freight on gravel for roadmaking purposes, acknowledging the receipt of such appeal, and stating that the matter was receiving consideration at their hands. The making of country roads is of much benefit to the railway traffic, as making feeders for the line, that it is hard to sec how the Commissioners, acting in the public interest, can refuse their consent to the request of the Road Boards and County Councils. Good roads would double the amount of produce to be transported by the railway. All entries for the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Show, to be held at Claudelands on the 26th and 27th instant, must be sent in to the secretary by Monday next. There have been a considerable number of additions and alterations to the prize list as already published. Amongst these are the Mexico! memorial cups, value £5 each, the one given for the best entire thoroughbred of any age, the other for the host entire draught horse. A silver cup. value five guineas, given by Mr. F. L. Wright, for the best exhibit of cattle, the bona fide property of one private owner. Companies are allowed to exhibit but not to compete. Also prizes of £3 3s, £2 'is, and £1 Is, first, second, and third, for the cow that gives the greatest weight of milk in two milkings, milk to test not less than 3 G-lOtli of butter fat. In sheep there is the NcNicol memorial cup, value five guineas, tor the best Lincoln ram of any age ; prizes for Leicester ram and pen of three ewes, all uuder eighteen months; best pen three ewes, Romney, and best pen three ewes, Shropshire, under eighteen months. The New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company has a prize of five guineas for the best pen of five fat wethers, gross live weight not to exceed 1201b. On the second day of the show there will he a guessing competition of dead weight of a steer, a cow, and three sheep; prizes of £1 and 10s will be given for each lot. Entrance fee for each lot, Is. The animals will be killed the same night. There are besides the above some twenty prizes (money and cups) given by various firms and individuals, amongst which are for the best lady rider over three jumps—lst prize, five guineas ; '2nd prize, three guineas; 3rd, prise a gold brooch value two guineas, given by Mr. H. H. Howden ; and 4th prize, one guinea. Mr. Nicholas Hunt has also given a prize of £2 for the best dog (field trial). Te AWAMCTU, Tuesday. Constable Steele brought down to Te Awamntu on .Friday last from the Porotorau tunnel, a native named Heraie Tikitini, charged with stealing one iron chimney, the property of Mr. Tanner, of Te Kniti. He was brought before Messrs. Maunders and Elmsly, J.P.'s, and fined £1 (first ofieuce) and £3 costs. Mr. Hungertord Roche, just before his late accident, had completed a house-to-house canvass here and at Kihikihi, as well as of those settlers residing on the Puniu river and along the confiscated -.boundary on the Orikau side, distributing as he went electoral forms, and filling in some, where required to do so.

MAUKU. At the evening service at St. Bride's Church, on October 3, the Rev. H. M. Maynard alluded to the granting of the female franchise, and called the congregation's attention to an article in the October number of the Church Gazette, and read the following portion of it:—"There is some doubt _ as to whether the more educated women will take the trouble to register themselves as electors, or even if registered will exercise the franchise. We do not ignore the many objections that may be urged against female suffrage, but we should consider it a national calamity if those women most competent to use the power wisely refrain from exercising a direct influence upon the community by abstaining from the polling booth. If women are true to their God, their country, and themselves, they will be able to do something for the moral and religious well-being of the people of this colony, by a faithful use of this trust, by steadfastly refusing to vote for irreligious or immoral men, and by voting just as steadily for men of high principle and irreproachable character." The Rev. Mr. Maynard is doing good and useful work for his Church and the district generally, for he has the happy way of drawing the young people to him.— Correspondent.] PAPAROA. The Wesleyan quarterly meeting was held a few days ago. The receipts for the quarter wera rather smaller than they would have been on account of the unusually wet winter. Mr. R. Haines was requested to represent the circuit at the district meeting in place of the senior circuit steward. On the receipt of the financial statement an interesting conversation ensued on roads and road-metal, aud the result of bad roads in the lessened attendance at public worship, and consequently smaller collections. It was decided not to invite a minister in place of the Rev. J. J. Mather who is removing next April. Since I last wrote the long-looked-for change in the weather has come, and the mud is rapidly being d'ied up. The change is very acceptable, but some are afraid that we shall now have too much fine weather. Notwithstanding the incessant rain of July and August, the lambing season has been a fairly successful one. The early plums promise an abundant crop at present. Mr. H. Hook read an essay on "Arctic Discovery," at the ordinary meeting of the Mutual on Wednesday evening. I believe the ladies of Paparoa are all enrolled ; and they mean to vote too.[Own Correspondent.]

KAIPARA FLATS. " Thk ratepayers of this district will do well to elect a member for the County Council who will spend the rates judiciously, and for the benefit of the majority, not of the few, as heretofore. If the allocation principle should be discontinued, as has been suggested, the most alert member will secure the highest sum for his district, unless they are endowed with more scrupulosity than some of their predecessors in oilice, but it is a most evident fact that all the several districts require a much larger sum than the rates will allow. If £20,000 was granted to the Rodney County Council, it might do something to make the roads as they ought to be. The miserable sum voted by the present Government is simply nowhere, and the public bodies have a thankless office in trying to make the best of it. The north may well be called " poor." It has never had a chance to establish its rights to any other title, simply because the Government has never granted the means to develop it« resources. There is plenty of good laud, but little inducement for the settler. No roads worthy of the name, and no railway. Much will be expected of outrepresentatives in the next Parliament, for the agriculturalists are at last alive to the injustice to which they have been subjected. They will insist on a fair and equitable adjustment and distribution of the revenue, to whicli every individual contributes in the form of heavy taxes.—[Own Correspondent.]

WHANG AREI. Thk weather for the last ten days has been very fine, and a number of people are already crying out for water, as a sudden drought will spoil the crops. The show of fruit this 'year is small so far, especially in the vineries, a number of the vines beinc quite bare. Mr. J. C. Firth, representing a party of Auckland gentlemen, arrived here on Wednesday to make arrangements with the Santa Clans' Company to prospect the claim for cinnabar. He had very little trouble in making satisfactory terms with the company, and a party of four are going out to the field , this week to work the claim.— Covres- : pondent]. . J

PARUA BAY. . A meeting of the School Committee was held Mglhe Public Hall, at the termination of the Road Board meeting, on Saturday, October 7th. Present: Messrs. Mallabond (chairman), Lee, Morey, sen., Moray, jun., Downard, and AUwood. Correspondence read and dealt with. The following accounts were passed for payment :—W. M. Parkes, erecting shed, £11 63; R. M. Peace, erecting swings, £5155 ; cleaning school (No. 1), 17s 6d : cleaning school (Taranui), 17s 6d; cleaning No. 2 (half-time school), lis 6d. The chair" man informed the meeting thatatthestandard examinations, which had taken place during the past week by Inspector Airey, 8.A., the results were very satisfactory, there being only one failure in each •of the schools. A long discussion here ensued on the conduct of the schools generally. The chairman said that, as No. 2 school was about to be severed from this district, to form a portion of a new district taking in Waikaraka; he would suggest that a swing similar to those recently erected at the other schools be given to this school also. This was agreed to, and the meeting closed.— Correspondent. 1

MANGAPAI. Ox September 20 an entertaiment in aid of the funds of the English Church was held in the Public Hall. The attendance was hardly as large as the object deserved. The programme consisted of a lecture by the Rev. J. Hawkes, and musical items. The lecturer took as his subject. " Historical Traits of Irish Character,' and the lecture proved both instructive and amusing. The musical part of the programme consisted of:—Harmonium solo, Mr. Grierson ; song, " Moua,'' Mr. Broadbent; song, " Swanee River," Miss Snell; song, Steering Home," Mr. Cooke : song, " The Bridge," Miss Graham ; song, " Death of Nelson," Mr. Plunimer; harmonium solo, Mr. Grierson; song, " Jack's Come Home," Mr. Cooke; song, "Apart," Miss Snell; song, "Queen of the Earth," Mr. Broadbent.—[A Correspondent. J WAIPU.I Tun cattle sale on the 7th instant was a failure, there being a dearth of buyers and sellers. Seven head were yarded, five yearlings being sold at £2 Is each, 1 bull at 20s, and 1 pony at 60s. —[Own Correspondent].

WHANANAKI. At date of writing (October 5) we are enjoying a long spell of fine weather, which has euabled settlers to push along planting operations, delayed somewhat by previous inclement weather. The cropping area of the settlement has been considerably increased this season. The beginning of a new industry has also been introduced by Mr. James Ayton, who lias started cheese-making. Spring growth is decidedly backward this year. Apple trees are hardly leafing as yet. The extension of the franchise to women caused general satisfaction here, and a point was made to get enrolled every qualified woman in the settlement. This lias resulted in the voting strength of Whananaki being about doubled. The young people of the settlement have instituted regular fortnightly dances, which have proved most successful. The dances are held in a hall at the VVai Rahi, which was built by the sawmill and bush employees of Messrs. Foolo Bros. The question of a public hall at Whananaki is engaging serious attention, especially as the schoolroom and teacher's residence are under the same roof. A full gathering took place at the September meeting of the Whananaki Social Club. Mr. R. H. Hooper read a paper entitled " Co-operative Country Life." After touching briefly on the subject of national cooperation or Socialism, the essayist gave a sketch of an organised co-operative rural settlement on the lines for instance of New Australia, in Paraguay. The manifold advantages, material, intellectual and ethical of such an organisation, were clearly set forth. The paper in closing instanced how the cooperative spirit or partial co-operation might be practically applied in a settlement such as Whananaki, which had been already established on individualistic lines. The essay was very well received, and gave rise to considerable discussion, the meeting deciding almost unanimously in favour of the cooperative principle. The remainder of the programme consisted of music, recitations, and readings. On September 30th was held a well-at-tended public meeting in the schoolroom to consider various public matters. Mr. Thos. Morris was voted" to the chair, and called upon Mr. J. C. Johnson to address the meeting. Mr. Johnson stated that the main object of the meeting was to take steps to obtain a reserve for the settlement. This was for three purposes, viz., for a wharf, a cemetery, and a recreation ground. He exhibited a tracing obtained from the Crown Lauds Department (through the courtesy of Mr. Kensington) oi the fiat spit of land which forms one side of the harbour. This block of some 40 acres was the only piece of Crown land available for the purpose, and would serve all three purposes admirably. After considerable discussion, the following resolution was carried: —"That the chairman of this meeting write to Government, applying, as a reserve, for the remaining portion of land lying north of Spithill's Block, Block IX., Opuawhangasurvey district." Mr. Johnson then drew attention to the apparent omission of the Whananaki-Opuawhanga Road work from the Public Works Estimates, while at the same time all the moneys for road works applied for by the Whangarei County Council had been placed thereon. He suggested taking united action in the matter. Considerable discussion ensued, in which the subject of the ensuing general election was introduced. Finally, there being some doubt on the question at issue, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. K. H. Hooper, seconded by Mr. Johnson, "That the chairman of this meeting write to Ml'. R. Thompson, M.H.R., requesting him to inform the Whananaki settlers definitely, whether or no moneys had been voted for Whananaki roads; also if there is any ground for the report that there is to be no polling-booth at Whananaki at the ensuing genera) election." Mr. F. W. Macken next moved "That the Commissioner of Crown Lands be urged that the Whauanaki-Ngun-guru Coast Road be started at once, and constructed on the co-operative system." Seconded by Mr. R. Peters, and carried unanimously. With regard to the first resolution, I may say that a new wharf is urgently required. The present structure belonging to the Kauri Timber Company, and lying off their mill, is too far up the inlet, for vessels such as the s.s. Chelmsford to berth there at neap tides. Besides the wharf in question is not expected to stand more than a year or so more, being in an advanced state of decay. The block of land applied for contains the best site in the inlet tor a wharf. As regards a cemetery, though there has been no need as yet for one, it was thought best to lie prepared in advance with this adjunct to the social system.—[Own Correspondent.]

WHAKATANE. - A most enjoyable and highly-successful concert in aid of Whakatane Church was held in the Schoolhouse on the 29th alt., at 8 p.m. In spite of the inclemency of the weather fully I*2o people were present, who all appeared to thoroughly appreciate the various items on the programme. The programme consisted of two parts, the first of fourteen and the second of thirteen items. The evening was opened by a pianoforte solo from " Alice," played in an able manner by Miss Sisam. The next item was a son" from Mrs. Butler, whose rendering of that well-known favourite song " Kate O'Shane," earned her an imperative encore to which she responded with Wishing Cap." Mr. Duckworth then gave " The Death of Nelson" in very good style, but did not respond to a decided encore on account of the length of the programme. Mr. Pilcher followed with a recitation, "Drought and Doctrine," in which the difficulties attendant on the christening of a child in the Australian backwoods were humorously depicted. Mr. Green sang " Sailing" in his usual good style, and in response to an encore repeated the last verse. The gem of the evening was a song, " The Minstrel Boy," by Miss J. McPherson, and the audience showed their appreciation of her good singing, and of her energy in coming so far to assist, by a vociferous encore to which she responded by repeating the last verse. Mrs. Ross followed with a pianoforte solo played in very pleasing style. Miss Smith sang "Thy Voice," a rather difficult song for so young a performer. Mr. Tempter's fine bass voice was heard to real advantage in that favourite hunting song, " Drink, Puppy, Drink," and, on being recalled, gave " Ihe Wonderful Musician." The next item was a pianoforte duet by the Misses M. and H. MeGarvey, who gave a highly creditable performance for such young players. The Rev. Mr. Souter followed with " A Lassie Lives," and showed that his voice had lost none of its richness. A recitation, " Ned, the Stockman," was then given in a masterly manner by Mr. Butler. Mr. Parker then sang, " In the Gloaming," and acquitted himself very creditably. Mr. Wright, a visitor from Taranaki, sang " The Old Rustic Bridge," and, for an encore, sang an Irish comic song, that fairly brought down the house. This concluded the first part of the programme. After an interval ot ten minutes, the second part of the programme was opened by Mrs. Home and Mrs. Butler, who sang very nicely, " What Are the Wild Waves Saying," as a duet. Mr. Tempter followed with "' The Mountebank's Song," which was deservedly appreciated by the audience. Misß F. Smith, a young performer, then gave a humourous recitation in good style. Mr. Duckworth's fine baritone voice was next* heard to great advantage in "The Midship, mite." He was followed by Miss Smith who sang "Gathering Shells, very tastefully

Mrs. Butler then sang "Good Company," in very taking style, but contented herself uy bowing to the audience in 'response to a vociferous encore. The Misses McGarvey were next on the boards with a pianoforte duet, which Rained a decided encore from the audience. Miss J. McPherson then greatly pleased her hearers with her pathetic rendering of " The Gipsy's Warning." Mr. P. Holland followed with a comic song in character, which was received with great applause. Mr Pilcher then recited in really good style that fine poem of A. L. Gordon's "The Voice From the Bush." Mr. Parker sang In Happy Moments," with great ; effect. Mr. Green sang "The Little Hero" very well. The effect; however, was rather spoilt by a heavy shower of rain on the roof. Mr. Wright concluded the evening with a seriocomic song, "Good Evening," and in response to a prolonged encore gave " Browns Paper Parcels." Messrs. Whyte, Pilcher, and Green deserve great credit for the able and energetic manner in which the concert was carried out, the most successful one both vocally and financially that has been held in Whakataoe for some time.— Correspondent.] —