COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9333, 17 October 1893, Page 6

COU NTRY NEWS.

[from OITB OWN correspondents.] Hamilton, Monday. The sale on Saturday of the privileges of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Show on the 26th and 27th instant at Claudelands, resulted in the purchase of the gates by Mr. Adams for £80; the grandstand booth was purchased by Mr. Lequesne for £40; and the temperance booth realised £2. Last year the gates realised £71, aud the grandstand booth £80. Mr. John Knox held a satisfactory sale of clothing, books, and produce on Saturday. Fowls realised Is 2d each; ducks, Is id; turkeys, 3s 6d to 4a; potatoes, new, lgd per lb; hams and bacon, 4d to 4&d. At Mr. W. J. Hunter's cattle sale at the Hamilton Borough Council's Yards there was a good B how of stock, and the following prices were obtained:—Dairy cows, from £5 10s to £6 15s; weaned calves, from 35s to 40s; year and a-half old calves up to £3; store cows, 60s to 78s; fat cows, £5 to £5 15s; fat steers, £7 19s to £8 5» ; hoggets, 12s. The man Drabin, who was brought into hospital severely injured by the engine, this side of Morrinsvilfe, with both arms and his collarbone and eleven ribs broken, and cut about the head, was reported as doing better yesterday. His lungs are much injured, and his breathing is difficult. Dr. Kenny lias but little hopes of his recovery. It will be remembered that about two years ago a gentleman named Wardell, with his wife, from Yorkshire, visited the Waikato, and spent several weeks here in examining the district, with a view to returning to Yorkshire, aud coming out again to settle m Waikato. Mr. Isaac Coates, who was his host while in Hamilton, has received a letter, stating that Mr. Wardell and family sailed for New Zealand by the Coptic on September 30, and may be expected in Hamilton in about a month. The settlement in Waikato by Mr. Wardell is likely to result in the emigration to this district of several substantial Yorkshire farmers. Huntly, Monday. A concert, promoted bv Mr. Benson, an employee of the Taupiri Reserve Company, Kimihia, was bold here on Friday night last, but was very thinly attended. The Huntly Brass Band lent their assistance, and played a few nice selections both before and during the concert. There was a paucity of lady vocalists. Mr. Benson, who, is, evidently, " an old hand " at concerts, sane two songs in a highly satisfactory manner. He is the possessor of a full yet nicely-balanced baritone voice. Songs were contributed by other local amateurs, the accompaniments being played by Miss Turner and Mr. Benson. Just at present there is a plethora of entertainments of a public nature, which accounts in some measure for the thin attendance at the concert. The erection of the Anglican Church has been commenced by the contractors. Messrs. White and Pettigrew. The site at present is not easy of approach, a defect which will bo minimised in the course of time.

PUKEKOHE WEST. The weather has become dry, and the ground dried up as hard as brickbats, the result being no grass, as the growth of grass is very backward, and the spring crops seems in a measure to be at a standstill for want of moisture. We could do with 12 hours nice rain. Mr. Philson, of the firm of Hunter and Nolan, held his monthly sale here on Wednesday, the 11th instant. There was a fair muster of cattle, and a large assemblage of the general public. Dairy cows were a good bit easier in price, whilst stores, young cattle and beef kept late values, and met with a steady demand throughout the sale. A few horses were offered, but I did not see any sales effected. Pigs: A good number were brought forward, which met with a steady sale at good prices. The candidates for Parliamentary honours were both present, viz., Messrs. Harris and Massey, ana both gentlemen were using their best endeavours to get a promise of support at the coming election. It is the general impression here that Mr. Massey will make a close fight for supremacy; but I hardly think such will be the case, as Mr. Massey is not well enough known throughout the electorate,'although I must admit he is doing his best to overcome that disadvantage, by going around interviewing theelectors.--fOwn Correspondent.] ■ . _____ TAUHOA. The election of members for the Rodney County Council takes place on the Bth of next month, and there are three candidates in the field' for the Tauhoa riding, viz., Messrs. S. if'. Boler, J.P., T. Buckton, and R. Grant. There is a considerable amount of interest in the coming contest, which promises to be a very keen one. The candidates for Waitemata in the coming general election are pretty sure of large audiences when addressing this end of the electorate. All, or at anyrate nearly all, of the fair sex have sent in their claim for enrolment, and are looking forward to the first opportunity they have ever enjoyed of exercising the franchise. The young folks also have something to look forward to, as I hear of a Juvenile Flower Show, to be held in the Hoteo North schoolroom, ere long, which promises to be a great success. The Maoris, whom I mentioned some time back as engaged ingumdigging on the Tauhoa ranges, have folded their tents and departed. None too soon saith the Pakeha.[Own Correspondent.]

WELLSFORD. A very enjoyable dance was held in the Wellsford Schoolroom oil the evening of Friday, the 22nd. The room was very charmingly decorated by Miss Thompson and Mr. Lewis Armitage, and at 8 p.m. the guests (about .'JO) were gaily whirling to the music of the piano, presided over by Mr. G. Nicholson, and violin Mr. Webster. Refreshments were handed round about midnight, after which dancing was resumed with spirit until 1.30 a.m., when a very pleasant evening was brought to ii close. The moon has a lot to answer for in these country districts. Naturally those who are getting tip any entertainment choose a moonlight evening, and as Friday is the only evening of the week that is convenient for hall work, and also for ladies' domestic arrangements, the selection of an evening is somewhat limited, and the result is that entertainments in adjacent districts frequentlyclash without any intention of so doing. This was the case on Friday night both at Wellsford and Hoteo North, and very much disgusted our boys were at losing a dance (the first this spring) as they could not very well be in two places at once.—[Own Correspondent.]

NORTHERN WAIROA. Very little has for years been done in this district in the Max industry. The cost of getting the article to market has probably been considered a drawback, and perhaps the abundance of work at the mills and guinfields has absorbed all interest, so that our flax growths have been allowed to remain untouched, or be destroyed by fire. Messrs. Pullau and Morton, of Scarrott's run, are said to be now about to enter upon the business of flax-dressing, and, as there is plenty of raw material about, they should be able to make something out of it. The Tatarariki School recently established by the Board, is now at work under the mastership of Mr. H. Campbell. The last football match of the season in this district was played last Saturday at Aratapu. The Kopuru J.I. and Aratapu 11. had tied for the Junior Championship, and they met to decide the matter. There was a large attendance of the public, and very great interest was displayed, amongst ladies as well as gentlemen. Mr. A. E. Harding was appointed referee. The teams were very evenly matched, and played amid great excitement. The first spell ended without a score, and 44 minutes of the second spell were gone, and spectators were looking forward to another deciding test, when, just on the last minute, the Aratapu forwards took the ball over the line and scoied a try, which Walker converted, and they thus gained the victory by five points to nil, and with it the Junior Challenge Cup, 1893. Messrs. Mead and Sharpe were the successful tenderers for the work of re-erecting the Northern Pine Mill, Tatarariki, recently burned down. Their tender, which was for labour only, was for £98. The work is being pushed on vigorously. The Aratapu Brass Band turned out on Sunday afternoon, and treated the public of their township to au excellent performance, showing very considerable progress on recent outdoor appeal ances. . Mr. A. G. Lee occupied the position of bandmaster, and the following progi'timmo|of sacred music was gone through :—March, " Sacred Gems " (Leach); hymns, " Holly" (Bach); " Moscow " (Gardma); "As Pants the Hart " (Spohr); anthem, "The Song of Jubilee" (Handel); march, Devotion " (H. Round); anthem, " Glory to God " (Round); hymn, "Old Hundred " (Franc); prayer, " Endless Blessing " (Beethoven).—[Own Correspondent.]

MANGAWAI. Anglican Church matters seem rather mixed here. The report* is that the committee,decline to support the appointed clergyman and have offered the church to Dissenting ministers. This action is not approved of by many, as Mr. Horsfall is much liked in the district. I am not aware that members of the Anglican Church have ever striven to oust a

Dissenting minister from his place of public worship, as Dissenters apparently are doing here in the present moment. The opposition to Mr. Horsfall is ridiculous and uncalled for; and it is to be hoped' that an increase ot subscribers and donors towards his stipend will be the outcome. Strict members of the Church of England are much scandalised at the present state of affairs.— Correspondent.] .

OPAHEKE. . A , The ordinary monthly meeting «■«"> Domain Board was held in the Valley school, on the 14th. Present: Messrs. Whelan (chairman), Dunn, Markham. Quane, and Trail. A report was laid before the Board, complaining that some person had been taking a quantity of scoria from the Domain, without permission, when, after some discussion, it was proposed to take legal proceedings against the offenders. tfut, eventually this proposition was withdrawn, and it was decided to charge a royalty for the metal taken, and if not paid, then to take such steps as shall bring the offenders to justice, with a view of preventing a similar occurrence. .. '• **i u .4 The ordinary monthly meeting of the Koad Board was held immediately after the Domain business was disposed of, the full Board being present. Only one tender was received for repairing Pratt's Hill, Mr. U. Cummins' for £3 19s, which was accepted. The question as to the nature of the agreement with Mr. Barclay for replacing the old bridge was considered, when it was proposed that he be allowed 10*. The clerk reported that the result of the canvass was that only four had refused to sign the petition tor altering the boundaries. Resolved that the Board forward the petition asrequested to the Government. Mr. Quane reported that a culvert on the road lee ding to Mr. Sherdan s had collapsed. Resolved that it be inspected and reported upon at the next meeting. Mr. Long waited upon the Board asking to have some repairs done on the road leading to his farm. After some discussion- Mr. Long offered to do the repairs for £1, and wait until the Board had funds. At this stage of the meeting some member asked the clerk to inform the Board and ratepayers what the present liabilities were. To which he replied £100 odd. Mr. M. Sinclair waited upon the Board complaining of a bridge near his farm which was dangerous, and some time elaped before any decision was arrived at, when it was agreed to offer Mr. Sinclair £3 aud three old stringers to put another bridge in place ol the one complained of, which offer was eventually accepted. The Valley Road was then discussed, and it was resolved to adjourn the meeting to inspect and lay off the necessary works, and call for tenders by the next meeting. The following accounts were passed for payment:—J. Donohue, £4 Os 6d; Wilsons and Horton, £2 6s. A schedule of thirds was received from the Crown Lands. Resolved to spend it on the road leading to Lot 247. The Board then adjourned to inspect and deal with the Vailey Road as may be found necessary.—[Own Correspondent.]

KAIPARA FLATS. On Sunday, the Bth insfc., the Rev. Mr. Law, the newly-appointed Wesleyan minister for Warkworth, paid this settlement a visit, holding service •in the schoolroom. There was a large attendance, who listened with attention to the impressive address delivered by the reverend gentleman. These services are generally appreciated, it is a pity they are so infrequent; and it is to be regretted that a more adequate building is not available, the imperfect ventilation of the schoolhouse making even one hour's occupancy by thirty or forty people a most unpleasant experience. Can the Board of Education have any regard to the laws of health, and daily allow forty children to use so unsuitable a room, and yet I am informed that several petitions for a larger and more appropriate building have been forwarded to the Board, but hitherto no notice has been taken ot their just requirements— Correspondent.]

KOHUKOHU. ' Out of evil good arises, and I have no reason to regret the adverse fortune which caused me to leave less sunny lands and settle in Kohukohu. I had often heard of the varied beauty ot the Hokianga River, the fertility . of the surrounding country, and the general : prosperity of the district, with its gumfields J and enormous kauri forests only enlivened by the busy hum of some flourishing sawmill. But of ; Kohukohu I had but a va«ue idea, as a sort of Ultima Thule, where only the merest wanderer turned up by the merest chance. To my surprise I find Kohukohu is Hokianga —the pivot on which all the other little settlements on the river depend. Here is the Government wharf, which is the terminus for the Northern Company's steamers from the Manukau; here is the Kauri Timber Company's mill in full activity, employing some 40 hands, all busy preparing the timber which shall make the future homesteads for many colonists throughout Australasia. Here also is an hotel second to none oat of Aucklaud, fitted with every comfort for the wearied traveller, and which, if it were but known, would form a favourite rendezvous for the sportsman, the tourist, and those on pleasure bent. For the angler, fish abound at all times, whilst in season pheasants, quail, pigeons, wild ducks, etc., are almost without uumber. Here also flourish the orange, the vine, the tig. and loquat, which are to be had in the older gardens for the asking.-, Kohukohu. is also the business centre of this large district, and it boasts no less than four large stores, all well equipped with all the necessaries and luxuries of life, which are distributed to the up and down river settlements by means of a small river steamer and small sailing vessels. The river is everywhere the great highway, for the North is much too far away from the seat of our paternal Government to receive any consideration in the way of roads, and our sitting member lives at Mangonui, on the other side of the island, where he cannot be expected to pay much heed to us or our requirements. The main road from Russell to Kohukohu, although it is the mail route to Hokianga, is almost impassable, and we left the bones of one wellfound coach on the journey over. However, as civilisation follows the plough, solnust the roads come with the opening of the laud, and r'a tins direction the Government seem really to be doing some Much of the land here is of the very finest quality, and in addition to what is already opened for settlement, I hear the natives are just about selling another very large block close to Kohukohu, which will support a large number of settlers.— Correspondent.]

EAWENE. The fortnightly meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society was held in the Public Hall, Rawene, on the evening of Tuesday, 10th October, the ladies belonging to the Society charging themselves in this instance with the sole conduct of the entertainment, and bringing it to a highly successful close, A programme of seventeen items, musical and other, was gone through without a hitch to the enjoyment and edification of a numerous audience. Owing to the regretted absence of the president, the Rev. B. F. Rothwell, through illness, the position of chairman was taken and its duties ably discharged by Mr. C. A. Lane, one of the vice-presidents of the Society. Among the items more especially "worthy of note may be mentioned in. the first place two sacred selections at the beginning and end of the programme respectively, which were charmingly sung by the following quintette : Mesdames Rothwell, Burr .and Lane, and Misses Burr and Irvine, Mrs. Rothwellalso accompanying. Miss Annie Hogg's harmonium solo may also be mentioned as reflecting great credit on so young a performer. Among the vocal soloists may be mentioned Mrs. Dyer, who gave without an accompaniment a most pathetic and effective rendering of "The Slave's Lament;" Mrs. Satchell, who, in addition to her solo, sang with Mrs. Rothwell the duet " List to the Convent Bells;"' Miss; Nellie Bryers, "The Song that Reached My Heart:" and Miss Burr, who in her second song, 'What do the Angels Dream of, Mother?" made decidedly the success of the evening, obtaining an only and well-deserved eucore. Two papers were also read; one by Mrs. Lane, giving an interesting and graphic account of a voyage from England on board the R.M.s. Arawa, and the other by Mrs. Rothwell, having for its subject the heroism and selfdenial of Mrs. Elizabeth Fry, and other noble women. The reciters were Misses Annie Beazley, Edith Cochrane, and Mrs. Menzies, fthe last being worthy of special remark as exhibiting in a high degree the merits of clearness of enunciation and correctness of emphasis in her piece, "The Gambler's Wife." At the close of the programme the ladies kindly allowed the gentlemen to take a share in contributing to the entertainment, and some impromptu speaking was indulged in by Mesdames Rothwell and Dyer, and Messrs. Irvine, Wetherall, A. and B. Menzies, Prideaux, and Reisterer, and the proceedings were brought to a close by singing the National Anthem. The Rawene Mutual Improvement Society, more especially the lady members, are warmly to be congratulated on their progress in general, and on the success attending this evening's entertainment in particular, a success which it is not to be doubted awaits all their similar efforts in the future.—[A Correspondent.]

HASTINGS. The Napier Park Races were attended with splendid weather. Our local racehorse ownets, Messrs. J. D. Orrnond and W. Douglas were the principal winners of the big events. The Native Lands Court, which has been sitting here for the last few months, has been adjourned to Waipawa to adjust some minor claims. The small township of Te Auto was thrown into great excitement on Tuesday by an ex.

citing scrimmage between some Maori landowners and a Government surveyor and his assistants, .who were making preparations to commence a survey of a valuable block of land, , according to instructions frqm | to,e Public Trustee. The Government man 8 instruments were promptly captured by the Maoris, who were lea on by a strapping chieftaihess named Ariha Te Nana, lhe proceeds of the capture were left at the railway station (Te Aute). The usual lec;al proceedings will be taken against the natives for obstruction. A novel claim for damages will be heard before the Resident Magistrate's Court here on next Friday, in which a storekeeper claims damages from a herbalist for injuries sustained whilst being treated for a complaint that he (the storekeeper) was suffering from. The firat consignment of milk was put through the separators at the new dairy factory this week, with satisfactory results. The factory will be in full swing next week. The attendance at the horse sale held in Beecroft's Repository last Saturday, was enormous. It was estimated that 1500 people must have been present, and during the day over 1000 horses changed hands, besides some pure-bred cattle. The splendid stallion Mainmast, owned by Mr. George Cormack, of Christchurch, was bought by Mr. D. Fleming for 200 guineas. The foundations for the new Presbyterian Church at Havelock are being dug out, and the building will be commenced at once. The site is in the centre of the town, and very nicely situated. Our local brewer, Mr. E. Newbigen, beat all-comers at the A. and P. Society's Show with his bottled ale and stout exhibit. Competent judges declared Mr. Newbigen's ale far superior to the general standard of the imported article, whilst his draught ale gained for him first prize. The hops used in the manufacture of both articles are locally grown. ' Mr. Russell, the contractor for the enlarging of the Fire Brigade-station, has the work nearly completed. The whole of the additions hare "been well carried out, and will be a great convenience to the members of the Brigade. The Napier Amateur Dramatic # Society gave a charming entertainment this week (■" Les Cloches do Corneville "). 1 hope soon to see them again.—[Own Correspondent.]