COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9394, 28 December 1893, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from odb own correspondents.] Hamilton, Wednesday. On Saturday last Mr. J. Knox sold the privileges of the Whatawhata racecourse. The gates were knocked down to Mr. for £10; the temperance booth was bought by Mr. Calder for 20s. The produce sale was largely attended. Poultry were in full supply. Fowls realised from Is to Is 3d each; gobblers, 5s 3d ; turkey hens, 4s to 4s 6d ; new potatoes. 5s per cwt; potato onions, 2kl per lb ; fowl wheat, 3s ; peas (green), la 3d per peck. Mr. F. W. Lang will be asked by the Waikato settlers to stand for one of the vacant seats on the Auckland Education Board. It is high time that so important a part of the Auckland Provincial District as Waikato should be represented on this Board.

The Rev. B. Rothwell conducted the anniversary services in connection with the Wesleyan Church, Hamilton, on Sunday last. _ In addition to the usual morning and evening services, a floral service was held at three o'clock in the afternoon. There was a large congregation on each occasion, Special hymns were sung by the children of the Sunday-school, assisted by the choir and orchestra, conducted by Mr. Meacham. Captain Reid desires it to be announced with thanks that he has already received the following promises of contributions in encouragement of the annual prize-firing of the Hamilton Light Infantry Volunteers :— L. D. Nathan and Co., silver electro-plated cup ; Ehrenfried Brothers, £1 Is ; Hon. A. J. Cadman, £1 Is; Northern Boot and Shoe Company, pair of " Northern " brand of boots; Lieutenant Markham, & MartiniHenry rifle. The sacred concert given in the Volunteer Hall, on Christmas night, in aid of the Presbyterian Church, was in everv respect a great success. Ihe hall was well filled, an(? the performance reflected most creditably on the conductor, Mr. Gribble. The anthems sung by the company were excellently rendered, more especially the opening one, " Onward," in the first part, and the anthem, " Father, Almighty," in she second part. "Toilers."by Mis. Whitaker, and "Charity," by Mrs. Waters, were both given wi';h good effect, a.nd deservedly applauded.

ct 1 i-,., Later. Samuel Gibson was charged this morning, before Messrs. ELnox and Jones, J.P.'s., with being drunk and disorderly at the sports on Sydney Square yesterday, and on a second charge with using obscene language and resisting the police. On the first offence he was fined 10s, and costs 10s, or forty-eight hours' imprisonment; and on the "second offence one month with hard labour, without the option of a fine. It is to be hoped that the police will be able to identify some of those who obstructed them in their duty yesterday.

Cambridge, Wednesday. ' Messrs. Carter and Francis held their Christmas sale in the Public Hall on Saturday last. There was a good attendance, and though bidding was not too brisk, owing to buyers having in part supplied their wants at the previous week's sale, the following prices were realised :—Turkeys, 4s to 7s 3d ; clucks, Is 5d ; fat geese, 5s ; farm geese, 2s 6d to 3s 9d; potatoes, £d to Id per lb ; onions, Hd to 2d ; cabbages, 2s per dozen; peas, 9d to Is per peck; table carrots, 3d per bundle; cauliflowers. 7d each; rhubarb, 4d per bundle; cucumbers, 2d to 3d each ; apples, 10 cases Irish peach, Id per lb; plums (Orleans), 10 cases, 3d per lb; bacon, 6d to 7d ; hams, 7d to 7£d; furniture of all sorts, clothing, drapery, ironmongery, etc., were at very satisfactory prices. The next sale will be held on Friday, in consequence of the South Auckland races, at Claudelands, taking place on Saturday next.

Te Awamtjtu, Wednesdav. A special service was held at St. John' 3 Church on Christmas Eve at half-past seven o'clock, when there was a large congregation, and special hymns and an anthem were sung by the choir. Aduef wassungby Mrsßispham and Miss Harrison. On Christmas Day a special service was again held in the evening, when the solo, " Nazareth," was beautifully rendered by Mr Knight. The Rev. Mr Wilson also held divine services, and celebrated the communion at Kihikihi, at 11 o'clock, on Christmas Day. and held a festival service at Alexandra, on Sunday morning. [BIT telegraph.— correspondent.] Rotorua, Wednesday. The action of the Government in connection with the sale of the township, which takes place to-morrow, is warmly condemned by many of the leasholders. who held a meeting last night, and arranged to interview Mr Kelly, M.H.R. Another meeting is to take place to-night, when the situation will be further discussed. There is every indication of coming strife, and perhaps litigation. The Government are decidedly guilty of countenancing a peculiar policy of a most changeable nature. No later than a week ago au announcement was advertised that unless certain payments for back rents were made by leaseholders their bids would not be accepted; again two blocks near the Sanatorium are to be offered in one lot after a day's notice.

A very heavy thunderstorm passed over Rotorua this afternoon.