COUNTRY-NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9495, 26 April 1894, Page 6

COUNTRY-NEWS.

[VROM OUR OWN CORRKSPONDKNTS.] Hamilton, Wednesday. The weather is peculiar and not favourable to vegetation, hot by day and cold and blustering wiuds by night, and though the sky becomes overcast at times, no rain, which is much needed, falls. ' The consequence is that there is no growth of grass, and the turnips are suffering, indeed to the threatening scarcity of feed this coming winter it is thought by many that the tall in cattle is due. Lucky are those who are provided with artifically-grown food for their cattle during the winter months. Ensilage or green crops other than turnips, but these are but few. Mr. Ticklepenny, of Tawhare, who is a staunch beliaver in ensilage, and has used it now these three or four years past quite independent of natural feed, having saved 30 acres of ensilage, chiefly half-grown maize cut when the tassel is well formed. It is much to be regretted that stock owners do not lay themselves out for a supply of winter feed for their milch cows. as dairying must form the chief staple of a district such as this, consisting principally of small farms and estates. Sugar beet is the most valuable and surest of such crops, but then when it is time to sow this crop feed is abundant, and the farmer never thinks of the coming winter. The following are the fixtures for the first round of senior matches under the auspices of the Waikato Rugby Union May 12: Huntly v. Paterangi, at Hamilton ; Hamilton v. Cambridge, at Cambridge. May 26: Hamilton v. Paterangi, at Paterangi; Cambridge v. Huntly, at Hamilton. June 9: Paterangi v. Cambridge, at Paterangi; Hamilton v. Huntly, at Ngaruawahia. Junior matches, May 19: Whatawhata v. Ngaruawahia, at Ngaruawahia; Hamilton v. Te Aw AM .«4.i r a 4 T*. AwamdU- — »»»»* Ot Urt"*-. ruawahia v. Hamilton, at Hamilton; Whatawhata v. Te Awamutu. at Paterangi. June 16: Ngaruawahia v. Te Awamutu, at Hamilton; Hamilton v. Whatawhata, at Whatawhata. There was a full attendance of members of the Orchestral Union last night, to practice the cantata of " The Angel of the Harvest." Owing to the Volunteer Hall being occupied last night, the practice was held in the schoolroom of St. Peter's Church.

it is satisfactory to find from Mr. R. Reynolds' paper written for the Waikato Farmers' Club that this district in some matters holds its own against the South. In sheep, as might have been expected, Canterbury is far ahead of us. "I never saw such models," said Mr. Reynolds, " as some of the pens that were entered in the freezing classes " (aft the Christchurch Show), "most of them shorn by machines, and of beautiful qualitv and symmetry. No wonder such sheep are so so much sought after in the London market." English Leicesters are, it appears, largely bred and well'spoken of for freezing, but the Shropshire, or black faces, are taking the lead, and are much used for breeding fat lambs for export; indeed, most of the prizes for fat sheep suitable for export, were won by black-faced sheep, either pure or crossed. But if Canterbury beats us in the matter of sheep we can hold our own in Waikato when it comes to cattle. None of the fat cattle there could be compared with those shown in Hamilton at the exhibition of, last year. Had the first prize ox at Hamilton last y«ar, says Mr. Reynolds, been there _ he would have been a feature at the Christ--1 church Show. Of polled Angus there were few exhibits, but Jerseys were fairly ref presented in numbers, though, said the ecturer, " but poor in quality; those shown in Hamilton last year would have put them quite in the shade. 1 didn't see a Jersey bull in the South Island shows good enough to put with a herd of pure-bred cows." Mr. Reynolds, in speaking of horse stock which he admits would compare favourably with ours, though not to the extent he expected, pays a well-deserved eulogistic tribute to the memory of the late Mr. John McNicol, whose energy and zeal did so much to raise the standard of all kinds of stock in Waikato by his importation into the district of sires and dams of the choicest breeds. " What class of stock," he asks, "Should we now have in Waikato, but for the energy and pluck of those that have risked large sums of money in importation ?" Mr. Reynolds travelled over other ground alluding to the facilities for an agricultural education available to the sons of Southern settlers, and at the request of the vice-chair-man and members, to give hia impressions on other matters interesting to Waikato settlers at the next meeting of the club. OMAHA. A CHILDREN'S library has been established in connection with our Public School. A large number of very good books have just arrived, consisting of about 150 volumes, which is the result of an entertainment promoted by our respected lady teacher and other friends. The Board of Education also gave a grant in aid of the funds. Great credit is due to Miss Wann for the successful manner in which everything was carried out in connection with the library.—[Own Correspondent.] PUKEKOHE EAST. Inspector Dickenson visited the > public school on Monday, the 16th instant. On Friday evening, the 20th instant, the monthly meeting of the Band of Hope took place. There was a crowded attendance. In the absence of the president, Mr. John Comrie took the chair. The programme consisted of a speech by Mr. Russell, songs by Messrs. Turner and Pulman and the Misses Morgan; readings by Misses Graham, Walker, and S. Ferguson; recitations by Mr. McKinney, Lucy Hamilton, Henry Morgan, James Ferguson, Mr. Turner, and Fanny Morgan, several hymns being sung during the evening.— Correspondent.] MATAKOHE. „ A CONCERT given by the Paparoa Brass Band on the 18th April, with special invitation to honorary members resident in M&takohe, was very poorly attended. # Our local sawmillers (Smith Bros.) have just dispatched the schooner Grace Dent with 'a Full cargo of sawn timber for Newcastle, New South Wales. Our local bodies are pushing works ahead, also the Survey Department, which has the control of the expenditure of the special grant. Tokatoka-Matakohe Road, while the Matakoheites are to be congratulated on their success in seem ing this grant. It is to be regretted that political exigencies compel the withholding of these grants until such a late period of the year.--{Own Correspon-1 dent.) ■. ■ j

WAIUKU. On Sunday last; the 22nd; BiahocrCowie held a confirmation service in the Holy .Trinity; Church, Waiuka. There was a, very large congregation, the church beings throngedHis Lordship delivered an eloquent and impressive address, suitable to the occasion," which was listened to with marked attention, after which over 30 old and young were confirmed. His Lordship was assisted by the Rev. Mr. Maynard, Episcopalian pastor of the district. . _ ' _ , " The monthly meeting o£ the Waiukn Band of Hope And Temperance Society took place on April 23 in the Temperance and Public Hall. The president, Mr. S. Hodge, presided. The chairman opened the meeting, and then gave a short address, holding forth the benefits to be derived by total abstinence. Song, Daisy Barriball; dialogue by four childreu; recitation, Miss Boon; song, Mrs. Hodge: recitation, Emily Barriball; address, Rev. Mr. Barr; reading:: Miss Hunter; song, Mr. F. Stone; solo, violin and piano. Misses Hunter and Hockin. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. Rev. Mr. Barr, president; Mr.S. Hodge, vice-president; Mr. J. J. Deed, secretary; Mr. Charles Hosking, treasurer; members of committee, viz., Misses M. Hunter, J. Hockin, A. West, 8. Barriball, Messrs. Caleb Hosking. W. Hockin. S. Vaughan, W. H. Barriball, S. E. Barriball, E. West, and S. Smith. Dialogue, Edith Hosking and Wesley Barriball; recitation, Olive Hodge ; dialogue, Messrs. S. and W. Smith, S. Vaughan, and Charles Hosking; recitation, E. Barriball; dialogue, Daisy and Ella Barriball. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring office-bearers, and Mr. J. J. Deed moved a special vote of thanks to Miss Hunter for the pains and interest taken by her with the children in the temperance cause. The singing the closing hymn, 165, and pronouncing the benediction brought a very interesting and instructive meeting to a —[Own Correspondent.] KAU&APAKAPA. The last of the blue ribbon entertainments of . the season took place in the hall on Wednesday evening last. Captain Dawson, president, occupied the chair. The programme was shorter than usual, but the items were well selected, and consisted as usual of piano solos, scngs, duets, readings, and a snort but amusing address by Mr. Carr on "Love." Miss Wilkins, in her usual pleasing style, charmed the audience with her singing. Mrs. W. Goodwin and Miss Simcook also sang very well. A very pleasant was brought to a close by the audience singing, "God Save the Queen." A collection was mtide to supplement the funds of the Sundayschool. The sum of 14s was taken. _ The chairman thanked all those who had assisted all through the . summer to make the entertainments a success.' On the motion of Mr. Dye, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Captain' Dawson in acknowledgment of his services in the Blue Ribbon cause. The gathering then dispersed. A ball in aid of the Public Hall funds took place on Friday evening last. Mr. Dye acted as MC. The building was beautifully decorated by Mr. Davis Simcock, who deserves credit for the good taste displayed. The refreshments were" both abundant and good._ I am afraid to trust myself with a description of the dresses worn by the ladies, some of them were very pretty, and in excellent taste. In the matter onjoyment for those present, the ball was in every way a success ; but with regard to the object for which it was got up, I am afraid it must be considered a failure, as the proceeds only barely paid expenses.— [Own Correspondent.] WHAK API RAU. The well-known trader St. Kilda arrived in the river on Saturday, the 21st inst., from southern ports. She loads timber at Mr. Chadwick's mill. < : r The weather for the past fortnight has been exceptionally favourable ; to our road contractors, who are taking full advantage of the same.—[Own Correspondent.]