COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9400, 5 January 1894, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from OUR own CORRESPONDENTS.] * " v Hamilton, Thursday. There were five applications yesterday for the office of probationer nurse to the Waikato Hospital—those of Miss Lucy Murray, of Hamilton Miss M. L. Millar, of Te Awamutu: Miss R. F. Gorty, of Tauranga; Miss M. Gibbon, of Kopu; and Miss Rose Waklyn, of Kamo. The' Board knew nothing personally of the applicants, and the doctor was sent for. He said fthat he had been personally interviewed by only three of them Misses Gibbon, Millar, and Murray; and when asked to advise, classed them in the order given, judging of them by physique and apparent mental ability. Mr. Bond proposed, and Mr. Chepimell seconded the appointment of Miss Gibbon. Mr. Smith proposed, and Mr. Lang seconded, the appointment of Miss Millar. Several spoke in favour of Miss Millar as being nearly as well spoken of by the doctor as Miss Gibbon, and being moreover the daughter of a Te Awamutu settler. On being put to the meeting, Miss Gibbon secured seven votesMessrs. Bond, Chepmell, Hunt, Kusabs, Brown, Seddon, and Primrose; for Miss Millar six voted, viz.: Messrs. Clark, Smith, Lang;, Teasdale, McQuirk, and Jones. Mr. Smith drew attention yesterday at the Hospital Board meeting to the large amount of the outstanding debts due to the Board, and suggested that the cases of all defaulters should be brought up at the monthly meetings and discussed. To his own knowledge one of the wealthiest settlers in the district was owing an account to the hospital two years overdue. The day of meeting of the Hospital Board is likely to be altered. It has been held on the first Wednesday in the month. Now this is the day alter the Piako County Council meeting, and generally a Court day in Hamilton. It is proposed to hold it the same day as the Hamilton cattle sales, every fourth Saturday. As the sales commence at one p.m. this will ensure more speedy business at the Hospital Board, and generally suit members better. Mr. Teasdale has given notice of motion for next meeting to make the proposed alteration. Cambridge, Thursday. Only one tender has been received by the County Council, that of Mr. Crouch, 2s 6d per chain, for re-forming, and 3s for ballasting, the Cambridge-Tauranga Road in Taotaoroa, or £51 9s for the job altogether. A Mr. H. J. Turner, who it was stated, would principally benefit by the road, had demanded £5 for gravel, and as the gravel off his property was the only available metal, the Council refused to make an unusual payment of the kind, remarking- that the demand was very unfortunate, and declined to accept the tender. Ohaupo, Thursday. Mr. F. W. Lang, the chairman of the Waipa County Council, has received the following I reply from the Railway Commissioners to a \ request of the Council that gravel for roadmaking purposes should be carried by railway freight free, or that the freight should be very much reduced: " With reference to your letter of the 14th December, in regard to the conveyance of gravel for local bodies, I have the honour, by the direction of the Railway Commissioners, to inform you that they could not agree to carry gravel _ for local bodies free, nor do they see their way to make any reduction in the rate now charged, which is the lowest in the tariff, viz., Class Q— I have the honor, etc., E. G. Pilcher, Secretary." Waitoa, Thursday. The Thompson's track undertaking still hangs on hand owing to the backwardness of the Tauranga County Council in performing their part of the bargain. The Government, it will be recollected, promised £2,000 conditionally on the Piako and Tauranga Counties giving £500 each. At the Piako Council meeting on Tuesday, the Surveyor-General wrote stating that he must await a letter from the Tauranga Council before he could definitely reply to the Piako Council. Mr Gavin, one of the members of the latter body, stated that he had recently seen Mr Cadman, who said the Government were only waiting for the Tauranga County to agree to give the £500, to go on with the work. An opinion was expressed by the Piako Council that it was to be regretted that the Tauranga Council should now stand, in the way of the undertaking of this most desirable work. At first there was no holding them back. Now, it seemed, when the money was wanted it was difficult to move them on. m Te Aroha, Thursday. There was' considerable excitement here on Tuesday over the election of two councillors to fill the vacancies in the Town Board. Mr. P. Snewin acted as returning officer, and the election was held in the new Town Hall. There were four candidates viz., Messrs, Gavin, Gallagher, Hetherington, and McIndoe—all good men, and the first three formerly members of the Town or Domain Boards. The friends of each candidate did their utmost for their man, and throughout the day a good deal of feeling was shown. The following was the result of the poll :— Gavin, 76: Hetherington, 56; Gallagher, 43; Mclndoe, 9. The first two were elected. DRURY. The annual and long-established picnic in connection with this district was held on New Year's Day in Mr. Buckland's paddock, and notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, it was largely attended, there being about 400 people present, including a full muster of the residents of Drury and Runciman, and settlers and their families from the surrounding districts. An active committee had made suitable arrangements for the amusement of old and young, and abundant provision was made for the wants of the large company, About £10 had been collected, and all was judiciously expended. A ball was held in Drury Public Hall in the evening, which was also largely patronised. —[Own Correspondent.] PAPAKURA. The Mystic Tie Lodge, 1.C.G.T., held an open social meeting in the Library here on Wednesday, the 3rd January, which was attended by from 60 to 70 people, and passed off successfully. The Rev. T. Norrie was called on to preside, and he gave an introductory and humorous speech, and at the same time made a feeling reference to the sad and sudden death of the late Brother McLean. He also at another stage gave a reading full of amusement and instruction. Readings were also given of a humorous character by Mr. W. Richardson, and songs were sung by Brothers Philpot, Rhind, and Brooks, and by Messrs. John McNeil and F. McClymont. Brother D. Norrie gave a recitation. Odes 72, 208, and 42 were sung by the whole company, who also closed the concert by singing the National Anthem. Refreshments, consisting of tea and cake, were handed round by Sister S. McLeod, the Chief Worthy Templar, and the other sisters. — [Own Correspondent.] TE KOPURU. A Christmas tree was given to the children in the Kopuru Hall on December 26. The hall was crammed to the doors. A beautiful tree was provided, and well lighted and loaded with toys. Every child great and small was provided with a ticket, and there were abundance of prizes for all. The next day, Wednesday, was the day set apart for the children's treat, which was held in Mr. Cobbald's paddocks, in a suitable place, where a grove of trees afforded good shade. Here several swings were erected, which were kept going incessantly. The Tatarariki and Kopuru schools were joined together in this treat. A number of races were run by the children for prizes. "Kiss in the Ring," "Jolly Miller," "Grab," and other games were indulged in by adults as well as children. The Kopuru band was revived for the occasion, and gave several selections of music. Several members of the committee, Messrs. Molloy, Cobbald, ( Vincent, assisted by some friends, Messrs. W. Smith, Foreman, Petersen, and others worked hard for the general good, lhe weather was fine, and altogether the affair was very enjoyable. About £17 in subscriptions has been collected for the treat and children's tree. ■ . Many are anxiously inquiring when the wharf is to be repaired. By the terms of their agreement with the Government (re the reclamation) the Kauri Timber Company are bound to put the wharf in order. The County Council are anxious to acquire for the public the right to use this wharf, or rather, one side of it, on condition of allowing the company the free use for six years of that part of the reclamation belonging to the County. About £40 has been collected as a subscription towards the cost of a public wharf. This is held over, pending the arrangement between the County and the company. Should a satisfactory arrangement be made the subscriptions will be returned.— Correspondent.] ' PAKIRL A tea, concert, and dance in aid of the funds I of the Library Hall took place on Thursday, December 28th. A most sumptuous tea was provided and done ample justice to by the company. On the tables being cleared away, Mr. W. Greenwood was voted to the chair, and _ the following programme was very creditably gone through Pianoforte solo. Miss F. Harding. This young lady showed herself quite master of the instrument, and it ' was -a treat to hear her play. Song, "Little Hern," Mr. Hardy; song," Comrades," Mr. Henry Brown ; clarionette solo, Miss Edith Harding, this being the first instrumentof the kind ever played in this district [ it mot with load applause; swag, " Regret,"

Mrs. Henry Brown; song, "A Nice Little • Innocent Thing," Mr. Thatcher. This song being quite anew 1 comic, and sung iin hie well-known style, it brought down the house. In responding to an encore, he sang A Story of a Kiss." Reading, "How to Make a Gumdigger's Christmas Pudding." This was very amusing, and received well-merited applause. Song, "Tit for Tat," Miss Edith Brown. Thia was very nicely sung, and wan applauded. Song, "Swiss Mountaineer," , '/, Mr. Thatcher, who had again to submit te an encore, and gave a mouth organ march of his own composition. An Indian club exhibition was then given by Mr. Roseman. Song, Where did you Get that Hat," Mr. Henry . Brown ; song, " Monte Carlo," Mr. Thatcher, . who was again encored, and gave "The Miners Dream song, "Balaclava," Mr. / Hardy. This brought the programme to a . close. After singing the National Anthem, the seats were cleared away and dancing commenced, and was kept up wich spirit till daylight, with the exception of a a interval at midnight tor supper. Mr. Thos. Pratt very ably performed the duties of M.C Music was supplied by Messrs. Whittaker and Greenwood, assisted by Misses Harding. Thanks are due to Mrs. Henry Brown for the use of her "pianoforte on this, occasion, everyone having thoroughly enjoyed them- ' selves.— Correspondent.] DACRE'S CLAIM (OMAHA). One of the most enjoyable gatherings I have had the pleasure of attending for a long time was the anniversary of Dacre's Sundayschool, which took place on Boxing Day. The children, with their parents and friends, collected on the Recreation Reserve, a verv pretty place surrounded with hills, in a semi-circle, with the river in front,, and a fine sandy beach. Cloths were laid on the grass, under some very pretty totara trees, and ai abundance of good things were provided for the children and friends. Games were indulged in all day by both young and old. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. In the evening the final repast was partaken of, when the company adjourned to the hall for the public meeting. There was a good attendance. The school children, seated on the platform, looked very nice. On the motion of Mr. G. Savage, seconded by Mr. Lloyd, Mr. W. R. McElwain, of Waiuku was appointed to the # ohair. The meeting being opened, the chairman said he was surprised to see so many present, and was ghid to see the Sunday-school was prospering. Hymn 69, which was very nicely sung by the children. Miss Meiklejohn then gave a recitation, "The Church and the World," which was applauded. , Hymn 87. The secretary (Mr. Richard Wood) gave a report of the Sunday-school library, and of the school work generally, The first commencement of the library was a gift of books from the Scripture Gift Association. Then friends in the district had given several very valuable works, and a friend in Auckland, Mr. McTeir, had also given them 40 volumes, and Mr. McElwain had worked hard for the Sunday-school. He had brought a large number of books to be given as prizes to the children, also about 200 volumes for the library. The consequence was they had to get a bookcase made, and they now had the commencement of a good library. The books were for the use of any of the parents of the children, and could be got after services every Sabbath evening. The building had been given to them free during the last year, and he proposed a vote of thanks to the trustees for their kindness. He congratulated the children on their good attendance. Hymn 17 was then sung. The superintendent, Mr. G. Savage, gave an address on Sunday-school work. It was the duty of parents to assist the teachers in training the minds of children in the right way. Hymn 259 being sung, the prizes were given out. The Secretary stated that the first and second prizes were for the greatest number of attendances, and the others for good behaviour. Girls: Ist, Ethel Rogers ; 2nd, Annie Rogers; 3rd, Annie Sadler; 4th, Maud Anderson. Boys: Ist, Thomas Ashton ; 2nd, George Ashton ; 3rd, H. Sadler; 4th, Horace Ashton. A book was also given to each of the other children. The books were handed to, the recipients by the chairman, and to each recipient he gave some good advice. A large number of miscellaneous toys were also distributed among the children, greatly to their amusement. The usual votes of thanks being passed, prayer, and the Benediction closed a very pleasant meeting, which was enjoyed by every one present. The annual picnic on New Year's Day was largely attended. Gamss were indulged, in during the day, and the proceedings were wound up with dancing in the evening.— [Omaha Correspondent.] OMAHA. The polling for & member to fill the extraordinary vacancy in the Rodney County Council for the Omaha Riding took place oa Tuesday, January 2. The voting at Omaha and Pakiri gave the following result : — Knaggs, George, 41 ; Greenwood, William, 34; being a majority, for Mr. Knaggs of 7. Wangaripo return is not in yet, but it will not alter the above result, only to make the majority larger. Now that there is a change wc shall have something done to improve the roads, and every part of the riding will get its fair share of the expenditure of publics money.[Own Correspondent.]