COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9444, 26 February 1894, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from 008 own i COBBES?OND*»TB.I / I Hamilton, Saturday. At the Waikato Council mooting, yesterday, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Clarke, to , reduce the salary of the clerk from £150 to £120 per annum. The Raglan races came off yesterday. There was a falling off in the attendance as compared With last year, though visitors spoke well of the meeting and of the' various arrangements. The Handicap Hurdles was won by Mr. J. McGarry's Mistake, Bob being second, aud Haroto third.; The Raglan Cup, distance about one mile and a-half, was also won by Mistake, Wizard running a t bad second. ! The Settlers' Hack Hurdles fell to Haroto, and Murcel won the Consolation. The, following is the financial position of the Waikato County Council and ridings :— In credit: R&ngiriri Riding, £301 lis BJd: Kirikiriroa Riding, £9 10s 3d. In debit: Tamahere Riding, £8 5s lOd; Cambridge Riding, £23 8s 6Jd; Model Farm, £99 8s 2d. General account, in credit, £179 19s sd. Ohaopo, Saturday. At the ram fair on Thursday, McNicol and Co. report that Romney Shropshire, and Southdown rams of all ages were in demand, even some with broken mouths realising 2 guineas each, but that full-mouthed Lincoln rams were unsaleable, except at boiling down prices. Some 504 rams were sold. Lincoln rams, bred by Mr. James Forrest, sold-for 2£ to 3£ guineas, but same class or rams, bred by Mr. S. T. Seddon, of Knighton, sold for from 3 to 5 guineas, while those of Mr. R. Bosanko realised from 2 to 5£ guineas. Mr. McNicol's stud rams fetched 10& guineas; Romuey rams, 3 to 3£ guineas; Shropshire rams, from 2 to 4 guineas; Hampshire Downs, from 3 to 3£ guineas, and Southdown rams, from 2k to 5 guineas. The bidding was brisk, and the attendance good. Mr. W. J. Hunter's eattle sale on Tuesday was au exceedingly satisfactory one. Young stock and dairy cows were in demand, and fat cattle met with a ready sale. Dairy cows, at profit, £5 15s; heifers, £3 10s to £5 133; weaned calves, £1 7s to £1 15s: yearlings, 35s to £2 2s; 1£ year old steers,£2 13s to £2 17s 6d; 3 year old empty heifers, £3 7s to £3 10s: fat cows and heifers, £4 6s to £6 15a; 4 year old bullocks, £4 16s to £5 ss. Kihikihi,, Saturday. "Mr. O'Connor met 1 with a nasty accident yesterday while visiting Hamilton. In walking along the grassy side of the road from the Frankton Station to Hamilton he was -run down : by some horses driven furiously along the road, and being on the turf he did not hear them coming. He was picked up and taken into Hamilton by the coach where his injuries were attended. He was able, 1 am happy to state, to return to Kihikihi by the afternoon train. Tb Awamtjtu, Saturday. The school committee have voted for Messrs. Walton, Boler, and Blades for the Education Board. Like other committees, they would have chosen Mr. Lang as a good man, but consider that his parliamentary duties would interfere with his attendance at the meetings. Alexandra, Saturday. The following officers have been elected at the annual meeting of the Waipa Athletic Club for the current year President, Mr. F. W. Lang, M.H.R.; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. S. Rutherford, George Edgecumbe, T. M. Hall, J. H. Scott. A. H. Storey, F. C. Germann, and the Rev. W. H. Wilson. Mr. ; Chas. Bowden was re-elected hon. secretary and t» easurer. The balance-sheet showed a i credit balance of £4 18s 9d. The new committee —consisting of Messrs. James, Miles, T. Finch, Chappell, E. H. Aubin, J. Ryburn, McPherson, Mackey, and Hodgson met and prepared a programme for the next sports meeting for the club, which is to be heid on Easter Monday. An offer by Mr. Howden of Hamilton, of a trophy, was received with thanks. Messrs. .lames and Miles were elected judges, Mr. McNaughton referee, and Messrs. C. Bowden, T. Finch, and McPherson handicappers for the sports on Easter Monday. Te Aroha, Saturday. The Rev. Mr. Thomas, of Hamilton, preached in the Wesleyan Church last Sunday. He gave a lecture entitled "Homes Without Hands," in the Town Hall, on Thursday evening. The lecture was illustrated by magic lantern views, and both the lecture and views were highly appreciated by the audience.

Mr. S. J. Hirst, who has been away for some months iu England, returned to Te Aroha this week looking all the better for his trip. He has been to the home country on business connected with the patent rocking cradle, in which he has a large interest. Mr. Hirst is of course very reticent to outsiders regarding the probable outcome of hi 3 visit. A specially interesting cricket match took place on Thursday afternoon in Mr. - Lipsey's paddock. It was a trial of .strength, and science between a team of married and single men. Both teams played in a spirited manner, but the married men carried more weight evidently, for they won by three runs. The bachelors wanted another innings to show better play, but the married men, having had more experience, wisely declined. Iu the evening au excellent parade of the volunteers took place in the public hall, whon more than two-thirds of the company were present, and a good amount of drill done. Lieutenants Cochrane and Wild were in charge. During the evening Lieut. Cochrane stated that Messrs. Scott, J. B. Johnson, and Hayes had been chosen as sergeants, and Messrs. J. T. Maingay, Wheeler, and Stanley as corporals in the company. The Rev. F. G. Evans was unanimously chosen as chaplain, and thanked the men tor the honour they had conferred upon him. The company afterwards had a march out, headed by their brass band. The new uniforms will be here in about a fortnight's time, and will give the men a smart soldierly appearance when they go down to take part in the proposed Easter encampment. MATAKANA. The few who faced the downpour on the show night to hear the concert given in the hall, enjoyed a performance that was worth braving the weather for, as it had an artistic merit of metropolitan character. The items were rendered with the same care and finish as if the house had been a bumper one, and were nearly all encored. Mr. A. Campbell presided, and the concert opened with an overture by the Artillery Band in capital style; comic song, "New "iork Boardinghouse," by Mr. Ford, 1 who in this and subsequent items convulsed the audience. Mrs. Hunter's pathetic rendering of "The Old Countree" met with well-merited applause. The comic sketch, " Moving Job," was capitally given by Mr. Holbin.,, Bandmaster Hunter's cornet solo, " The Lost Chord," was an instrumental treat. The Tocal duet, "I Would That My Love," was an artistic performance by Miss and Captain Syms. Equally good was Miss Syms' pathetic rendering of " Consider the Lilies." Mr. White, who is a born comedian, and possesses the humour essential to the comic , singer, gave " Philomeua." Miss Cousins rendered with taste, "The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls." A pleasing item was a, selection by the band. Song, " There's No One Like Mother to Me," by Miss Coleman, was well received. The comic element was greatly in evidence, and Mr. Brisdin convulsed the audience with the "Hungry Man." In the popular song, " After the Ball is Over," Mrs. Hunter was heard to greater advantage than on any previous occasion, and received rapturous applause. Mr. Fort delighted the audience with a comic song, "Old Potts." Captain Syms was in fine voice, and contributed "The Skipper" in good style. The comic song, "Dan Murphy's Party," by Mr. White, brought down the house. Mr. J. Palmer was applauded for his rendering of the popular song "Jack's Come Home Again," also Mr. Green for his contribution, " A Soldier and a Man." Mr. Hunter, by request, played as a cornet solo The Last Rose of Summer," and it is needless to add that it was a brilliant piece of instrumentalism. The usual votes of thanks being passed, Mr. Grainger, one of the judges, in graceful terms moved a vote of thanks to the settlers of Matakana for the hospitality extended to visitors. The programme concluded by the band playing " Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem.

It is a matter of congratulation that the Show Committee will be able to pay all prizes in full, which is a matter of surprise, considering that the revenue received during the day was a bagatelle. The commi'stee desire to express their thanks for the generous offers of assistance, should there have been, as anticipated, a deficiency. Not only did takers notify that their prizes would e returned, but also outside offers were made of money. The Maori was unable to turn in the river at midnight 'on the show night, through the high Hood, and therefore could not tender to the Kawau, which was lying at the heads wharf. Many of the visitors who came in the morning went down in boats, but the Maori did not get away until midday on Friday.Own Correspondent]