COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9713, 8 January 1895, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM our own CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Monday. J.he weather has set fair siuce yesterday morning, but though a largo quantity of rain tell in the district last week farmers are still unsatisfied, saying that the rain has not got more than a couple of inches into the ground, lhe advantage of a winter supply of milk to the butter factories, a thing quite within the power of dairy farmers to compass if thev only set themselves intelligently and actively to the work, has been over and over again advocated in these columns. Instead of the season beginning in September and then only dribbling along for the next month or six weeks, it should commence in July and be in full swing in August. The report of the New /Zealand Information Bureau published in London shows that New Zealand butter coming late into the market misses the high prices which rule from September to December. The great bulk of New Zealand butter reaches the home market after supplies are becoming plentiful and prices have begun to decline, Normandy butter averaging during the earlier period of the season 148s and Danish averaging 120s per cwt. ~5 few . Zealand butter i" October, 189.*, at 116s, rising in November to 1225, until in April, 1894, the lowest price, 965, was reached, the average price being 106s. | What makes the average price of New Zealand butter is that so small a proportion of it arrives during the last four months of the year when prices are at their highest, and this results from the unwillingness of the New Zealand farmers to render themselves independent of the natural grasses by providing an ample supply of suitable winter feed. Messrs. Reynolds and Co. have expressed their anxiety to commence the season a month or six weeks earlier than it is supposed to commence, but have not been met by the suppliers. Indeed, the present season cannot be said to have fully commenced until October. Mr. John Murray, on behalf of the Thames Valley Land Company, has signed the transfer of site of the fish hatchery at Waimakarin to the Auckland Acclimatisation Society and a portion of the purchase money has been paid. .

„, , Cambridge, Monday. The aiinnal picnic in connection with St. r ?, d re Sunday-school was attended by fully 500 persons. y

rru cll - Tb . AwAMUTU, Monday. Ine following are the nominations received for the Waipa Racing Club's meeting, to be held on Anniversary Day, 29th instant — Handicap Hurdles: Pancourfc, Pretender, Minnie Grey, Why Not. Madge, Domino Nellie. t Maiden Plate Handicap Mangahoa, Lieutenant;, Papapa, St. Mary, Hoiopito, White Wings, Repeat, Ongo, Glen. Kelvin Grave, Raven, Flintstone, Irene, and •Starlight. Te Awamutu Cup Handicap: Folly, Try Fluke, Te Kooti, Why Not, Lufra, Clarion, and Peerless. KihikihiPlate: Clarion, St. Mary, Fisherman, Irene, Folly, *encourt, and Lieutenant. Handicap Pony Race : Bob, Dynamite, Barmaid, Papapa, Libeller, Rapid, Venus Victrix, Northern Drapery, Leonora. Handicap Flying Stakes: St. Mary, White Wings. Fisherman, Ongo, Kelvin Grove, Raven, Folly, Te Kooti, Glen, Irene, Peerless, Leonora, Lufra, and Nellie, Nominations for the Kihi Plate and Hack Kace can be received up to the night of general entry, the 18th inst. The Waipa Club may be congratulated on the full fields entered for its several events, a fact mainly due to its not crowding these sports into the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Whatawhata, Monday. wt ! an , nual T^ r > an £ b , all ,- was elven in the Whatawhata Hall by Mr. Iwersen, on New Year s night, and was largely attended, many visitors remaining after the races which were held during the day. The music was supplied by Messrs. Le Foy, of Hamilton, and the floor was pronounced perfect. About 150 sat down to supper, which was laid out in good style. Very few evening dresses were worn, owing to it being a race ball, but amongst them were particularly noticeable Miss Calder, evening dress of croam, with blue trimmings, and the Misses Charleston and Higgmson, in white evening dressesMiss Bonnrd, in pretty white frock, and Miss McKnight, white blouse and navy skirt. Ihe Misses Iwerson looked nice in cream and pink dresses Miss Damm, blue blouse and dark skirt, and Miss Laxon cream dress Miss Pope, cream evening dress' Amongst the married ladies were Mrs White in navy costume, and Mrs. J. White in brown with red front, Mrs. McKnight in a very stylish pale grey costume, and Mrs. Waters nice white dress. Songs were given during the evening by Messrs. Dolstone and Dunn «th being encored and much appreciated. Mr. McCutcheon made an efficient *M.C. but the gentlemen were very much in the majority. The ball broke up about three a.m., and was pronounced one of the most enjoyable ever held in the district.

WAITAKEREI. *•• Thk Chris holidays were thoroughly enjoyable as regards the weather, and the settlers generally seem to have made the most of them. On Boxing Day a very enjoyable picnic party was hold at Swanson, and also it was the day chosen for the wedding of Mr. C. Asche, of Swanson, with Miss M. Russell', of Taupaki, and as a consequence most of the neighbourhood were meeting in social intercourse. A few tourists made their way to the Falls, one large party coming in a drag, and thus lessening the distance for walking. o * •< i

I hear that the Waitakerei post office is to be kept by Mrs. Noble, so that all disagreeable fears as to its Continuance will be in abeyance. v, f The death of Mr. James Dilworth, a gentleman so long connected with this district, from its earliest days, makes another gap in the old identities of the place. Very few indeed are now left who can recount the amusing incidents and anticipations of the earliest settlement. Alas ! those anticipations were never realised, and Waitakerei, considering its contiguity to Auckland, is in a marvellously backward state. No doubt the road difficulties have much to do with it, and certainly the local government of the past decade could not be much worse. In the newer settlements, "such as Swanson, Pomaria, # and Henderson's Valley, much more rapid strides have been and are being made. Pomaria seems likely to become famous for its greenhouses. I hear of three or four more to be built or building. Mr. Jane speaks very hopefully of his crop this season, and contemplates erecting another greenhouse.— Correspondent.]

AWITU. On the 24th of December the first annual meeting of the Awitu Christian Endeavour was held in the church. The president, the Rev. R. Barr, presided. The treasurer's report* Was presented, in which it was seen that £2 15s Id had been paid over to the church committee for the purpose of lighting the churcb building, and about 10s had been spent on distributing tracts and religious literature. The various committees in connection with the society also presented their reports, which showed that the society was in a healthy condition. The following officers were elected :—The Rev. R.*Barr, president Mr. Hamilton, sen., and Mr. F. B. Brine, vice-presidents; and the usual committees were elected. Votes of thanks were passed to the various officers of the society for the painstaking way in which they had fulfilled their duty in the past year. Our old and much esteemed neighbour, Mr. E. P. "Lodge, has again returned to his lovely home, Sea View. Mr. Lodge has been unfortunate enough to be obliged for the last two months to put himself under the doctor's hands, and with so much success that he returns home full of life and health I once more.— Correspondent.]

WAIUKU. On Boxing Day a wedding took place in the Holy Trinity Church here, when Mr. David Madill, eldest son of Mr. Adam Madill, of Tuakau, was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Craig, second daughter of Mr. John Craig, of Waipipi. People numbering between thirty and forty, relatives and friends of the bridegroom, arrived at the church about noon, when they were met by about the same number of relatives and friends of the bride. The Rev. Mr. Maynard was the officiating minister. After the ceremony was over the whole proceeded to Waipipi. where a most sumptuous breakfast was laid out. After justice had been done to the good things provided, the Rev. Mr. Findlay made a few very appropriate remarks, and presented the bride and bridegroom with a handsome Bible, trusting they would take that book as their guide. The happy pair left for their new home, Tuakau, about 4 p.m., amidst showers of rico and good wishes of everyone. On December 20 the brcaking-up of the Waitangi school for the Christmas holidays took place. Invitations were sent to the parents and friends by the children, and in the evening there were a good number present. These were met by Miss Hunter (the teacher) and the children. This school has made good progress during the past year, and in the last Standard examination all passed, which reflects great credit on the teacher, who is most painstaking. The chairman of the school committee occupied the chair, when a varied programme was very creditably gone through. A vote of thanks to the teacher for the very excellent manner in which the entertainment had been carried out was passed by acclamation, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the assemblage dispersed.—[Own Correspondent.] ORURU. The inhabitants of Oruru and Victoria Valley are terribly in need of telephonic communication. Lives are lost, money and time wasted, through this great want. This is the position : Oruru lies eight miles west of Mangonui, Victoria Valley about the same distance from Oruru. Now, no matter how urgent the need of medical assistance is, the only means of communication is by riding. One hour is lost going, and one for the return, which in some cases means death. I believe our member, Mr. R. M. Houston, has tried to get a telephone established at the postoffice, Oruru, but the Government are in a chronic state of poverty when a small sum is required for the far North.—[A Correspondent.] ...--. TAUHOA. The Christmas holidays are passing very quietly away here. ■ There has only been one noticeable event so far, the annual Boxing Day picnic at Brookvale (Mr. S. F. Boler's paddock), which was exceedingly well patronised. .Large numbers of pleasureseekers in this and from the surrounding districts availed themselves of the beautiful day J and the opportunity of a few hours' pleasant company and a chat with old friends. I believe everyone succeeded in thoroughly enjoying themselves, and some that have been called to rest during the past year were mentioned with deep respect by those who remembered their genial presence on former occasions. In the evening the amusements were continued in the school.

The weather is delightful, but a real good rain would be very welcome to our farmers. —{Own Correspondent.]

KAIKOHE.

On December 17 a man named Thos. Robinson, while gumdigging at Omapere, dropped dead. A coroner's inquest was held next day. Dr. Going, who performed a post mortem examination, stated heart disease to be the cause, and-the jury returned a verdict to that effect. Mrs. Mills, the daughter of deceased, came down from Auckland to claim the body and attend to the burial. The interment took place on December 19. A man named Fred. Williams was arrested on December 18, on a charge of forging and uttering an order on Dickeson Brothers for £4 108, and taken in charge of Constable Paihau to Kawakawa lock-up.— Correspondent.] '"■ RANGIAHUA. A very pleasing variation from the ordinary quiet routine of life in this far northern settloment took place here on the 27th December, the occasion being the marriage of Waiata Anihana and Ria Kaaihe, two young Maoris who had made up their minds to take each other " for better or worse." The Rev. Piripi Rakena, Wesleyan native minister, from Mangamuka, was the officiating clergyman, the ceremony being held in the native schoolhouse, which was crowded by natives and pakehas. Everything was carried out in regular orthodox fashionincluding veil and orange blossomsfor the bride. After the ceremony the company adjourned to the Flat, where a spacious canvas roofed tent had been erected as a dining hall. In this tent a sumptuous repast was served a la pakeha, the pakehas being first invited to partake; and the way in which everything was managed would astonish a new chum. Two handsome bride's

cakes were conspicuous in the centre of the long table, and a goodly supply of all sorts of food graced the board. Hospitality is a cardinal virtue of the Maori, and the way in which the Rangiahua natives carried out the arrangements on this occasion fully sustained the character of their race as "not forgetful to entertain strangers."— [A Correspondent.] MATAKANA. Boxing Day has here become a red-letter day in this district. The afternoon was all excitement over the cricket match, and various speculations were made as to which of the contesting teams were ! to prove victorious. The first innings proved that the teams were well matched, as shown by the figures, 60 and 64; but the second innings gave the laurels to the home team. The cricket match over, and the tea being ready in the hall, the people partook of the good things very ably dispensed by the ladies, the busiest of whom' were Mesdames J. Smith, Campbell, and Meiklejohn, in fact these thrftp ladies have now become part of the institution. As soon as the tables were cleared and the hall put in order, perhaps the most acceptable entertainment ever placed before the Matakana public began. The following was the programme Pianoforte solo, Mrs. Rayner; song, Mr. A.Grant; song, Miss Cousins; song, Mr. Sinclair; song, - E. Richards; song, Mrs. Silva ; song, Mr. S. Grant; song, Miss Jackson; duet, Mrs. Silva and Mr. Martin; song, Mr. Ashton; song, Mrs. H. Smith song, Mr. Martin | song, Mr. A. Grant; glee, Messrs. Braithwaite, Moores, and Richards ; song, Miss Cousins; recitation, Miss Richards ; song, Mr. Sinclair ; song, Mrs. Silva; Bong, Mr. A. Ashton; song, Miss Jackson; song, Mr. Martin. ft is only right to say I was struck by the talent we nave withiu ourselves, notably, Mr. Sinclair's comic songs, so amusing, yet so free from any trace of coarseness, so common in comic songs. To the people of the.district, the brilliant treatment of the pianoforte solo came so welcome, yet not unexpected, as we are conscious of the performer's ability, which, on this occasion, more than equalled her previous efforts. The accompanyists were Mesdames Rayner, Moores, Misses Jackson and Campbell, and Mr. Sinclair, and all acquitted themselves well, as likewise did all

the other performers. Votes of thanks being passed, the National Anthem sung, the hall was cleared, supper laid, and many kind helpers soon supplied the needs of the inner man, when dancing was indulged in by a crowded room full, and bo ended another Boxing Day at Matakana.— Correspondent.} ■ ■■■"■ ' '-- -': *'"■ -