COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9718, 14 January 1895, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[feom OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Cambridge, Saturday. The valedictory concert tendered to Mr. J and Mrs. W. O. Garland, last Wednesday evening, was, in every respect, a very successful one, The large audience testified their approval by hearty applause and frequent encores. The feature of the entertainment was the singing of the popular Jubilee choruses by the Garland family, assisted by Mr. James Taylor. The blending of the voices was excellent, especially in the pieces, " We'll Overtake the Army," and " Good-bye, Brothers." Songs were rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Garland, Mr. Taylor, and Misses Tapper and McChesney (from Auckland), and Sliss M. Garland. Mr. Charles Stewart played two clarionet solos, and Mr. Hartly's orchestra rendered some selections in a very creditable manner. The accompaniments were phyed by Misses Wilson and McChesney,, and Mr. Hartly. The people of the Tuakau district are to be congratulated on the accession to their musical circles of such a talented family, whose absence will be greatly felt in the community in which they have so willingly and efficiently assisted for

many years. At the S.M. Court, to-day, the following cases came on for hearing:—Auckland Agricultural Company v. Douglas, action for trespass. Defendant, who is husband to a native woman, entered the Company's land to claim ownership. Fined £7 and costs £8 15s. Hyatt v. Madigan and Layne: This was a case of furiously riding, resulting in the death of a cow, property of complainant. After a long hearing defendants were fined 5s each, and costs amounting to 30s each. Mr. R. W. Dyer appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Jas. Hally for defendants. Hontly, Saturday. lor the first time for a number of years a meeting of members of the Huntly Public Library (incorporated under the Public Libraries Powers Act, 1875) was held on Thursday evening last to elect trustees for the ensuing year, as provided by the Act. Mr. R. Hetherington, one of the late trustees, occupied the chair. He briefly reviewed the position, and showed that owing to a want of interest the affairs of the institution had been allowed to drift, inasmuch as even the fact of its incorporation had become a forgotten circumstance, nor had there been an election of trustees since 1884 or 18S5, but under the revivifying influence of a promise of an immediate gift of land on which to build a library and reading-room, this very desirable complement to every country township is now likely soon to become in Huntly a real, live concern. Six subscribers, who had qualified under by-law 5 of the institution, were then elected members. The following seven were then elected trustees for the current year -.—Messrs. Kaye, Fisher, Friar, Peek, Macdona'.d, Harry, and R. Hetherington. Mr. Macdonald was subsequently appointed chairman, Mr. M. Friar treasurer, and Mr. T. N. Peek secretary. Messrs. T. Skellon and T. White were appointed auditors. The balance-sheet audited to December 31 showed a credit balance of 7s in hand, members' subscriptions received since £17s, amount on deposit in PostOflice Savings Bank, £42 3s, making a total ot £43 17s to the credit of the funds of the institution. The

i fulfilment of the very generous offer made ! by Mr. W. J. Ralph, of a piece of land en which to erect the Library, is now awaited | by the trustees, who intend, immediately on completion of the deed of transfer, to bare a building suitable for the purpose placed on the site. Owing to a breakdown of the machinery, the Taupiri Reserve Company's mine at Kimihia has been idle during the past week, but the defect (broken shaft) having been repaired in Auckland, the miners made a start again this morning. Through the slackness of the coal trade, commou to the summer season, a shortening of hands is being made at both mines. Several miners who came over here from Newcastle iu the early part of the winter, have returned, though the prospects there of obtaining work are unfortunately anything but bright. Te Aboha, Saturday. A garden fete in aid of the New Zealand Church Missionary Association was held on Thursday, in the grounds of Mr. E. Y. Cox, of Shaftesbury, and the favourable weather enabled a large number of people to pay a visit to this justly-tamed district. Messrs. Gallagher, Smardon, and McKay ran two large brakes, which were well patronised, while private vehicles 0/ every description took settlers from Te Aroha, Waihou, VYaiorangomai, Morrinsville, and other parts of the district, out to the fete. A very favourable impression was made upon the visitors by the appearance of the laud as they went out. Messrs. McNicol's, Craig's, and Cox's estates, through which the road passes, looking in splendid order, and the cattle near the road being in fine condition. Mr. Cox's estate lies on both sides of the Waihou river, and presents, as the visitor approaches the house, a very pleasing and picturesque appearance. Upon entering the grounds, it was found that every preparation had been made for the pleasure of the visitors, while the principal object of the fete had not been overlooked. A stall decorated with flowers,"ferns, flags, etc., had been erected underneath the trees, and was well covered with a large assortment of useful and fancy goods, all marked at moderate prices. A beautifully-ornamented refreshment stall had also been provided, which proved most attractive to all the visitors. Mrs. and the Misses Cox were in charge of the stalls, and were very attentive to the wants of those who sought to possess some of the beautiful articles exposed for sale. The visitors fully entered into the spirit of the promoters of

the f§te, and enjoyed themselves immensely, lawn tennis, cricket, rounders, Aunt Sally, etc., being enthusiastically indulged in during the afternoon, and general regret was expressed when the time came to return home. A good business was done during the day at the stalls, the proceeds of which, together with the entrance money, will make up a considerable sum for the Missionary Association, the object of which is to prepare and educate young men and women desirous of undertaking mission work in connection with the Church Missionary Society. Mr. and Mrs. Cox and their family deserve every praise for the manner in which they, assisted by a few of the settlers around, have laboured to prepare for this fete, while they are to be congratulated upon the great success that has attended their efforts. I Work on the Paeroa railway section was ] recommenced on Wednesday last after the Christmas and New iear holidays. The rails are now laid to within three or foar miles of Paeroa. At this point occurs Buchanan's swamp, through which the formation has been made, but which will require fJom 40 to 50 thousand yards of clay to fill it up to the required height. As soon as this is done the line will be speedily carried through to Paeroa and ballasted. The ironwork for the large bridge over the Wainou, at Paeroa, is now on its way out from England, and the opening ot the railway into the Paeroa township is now within reasonable distance. The whole of the Ohinemuri district, including YYaihi, Waitekauri, Karangahake, etc., is increasing in population to a surprising extent, and the railway is expected to do a considerable trade in coal and farm produce, while without doubt there will be not a small passenger traffic. One of the Waiorongomai men employed on the railway works, named Collins, met with a nasty accident while riding to work yesterday, being thrown from his horse and putting his shoulder-bone out. • This is the more unfortunate as he had only started work after the holidays, the day before the accident.

Morrinsvillb, Saturday. A meeting of the Church of England vestry was held in the schoolroom yesterday evening, when the Rev. F. G. Evans and Messrs. Neels, Schofield, Marshall, Main, and Clifford, were present. Mr. T. H. White, architect, of Hamilton, attended, at the request of the churchwardens, and brought the plans of the proposed new church. The meeting unanimously approved of the plans, which are for a very neat and useful building capable of seating 150 people. Tenders are now being called, in the Hamilton and Te Aroha papers, and will be received on Thursday, the 17th instant. The body of a man named Palmer was found in a cottage on the Annandale Estate, on Sunday. Palmer was a man who had been drinking heavily lately, and evidently died from want of food and from exposure. An inquest was held on Monday last, before Deputy-Coroner Mills when a verdict of " Found Dead," was returned.

MERCURY BAY.

In spite of our two days of rain our annual picnic, Christmas, and New Year passed very quietly here. The races were well attended, and were a success in a quiet way. The picnic was excellent as usual, and both old and young had a very good day. On Saturday, 29th December, the Kuaotunu sporting men had a day's racing, and about fifty horsemen went out from here, and by all accounts had a good time. We had a concert after our first day's racing, and the Kuaotunu band rendered some excellent selections both at the concert and the races.

On New Year's Night there was a dance held in the rink.—[Own Correspondent.]

WAINUI.

The meeting of the Literary and Musical Society was held in the Presbyterian Church on the Ist January. Mr. F. Kinsey occupied the chair. This was the last meeting in the quarter, and the first part was devoted to business, such as the election of officers and the arranging of a programme for the ensuing quarter. The old committee, with the addition of Miss Noakes, were re-elected. After the adoption of a report, read by the chairman, an interesting programme was gone through. Haymaking is in full swing throughout the district, and the crops are turning out very well. The late oat crop is also looking up, and promises a much better yield than was expected a few months back, when it looked to be a total failure. The fruit crop is coming along well, and so are the leech and the codlin moth. Both pests have already put in an appearance in full strength. , Gn Sunday last two dogs got amongst Mr. I Moffat and did great damage to the nock. Sixteen sheep were found dead, and ten were missed. Mr. Whitmore also found three sheep worried and two dead in the creek. The owners of the dogs have not been found.—[Own Correspondent.]

AWITU. - The appointment of Mr. Alfred Palmer as Justice of the Peace for this district has given general satisfaction. Mr. Palmer has ?ii earned the honour, as in the past he has failed all the most important offices in the various local bodies. On December 6 a quiet wedding took place, about twenty-five of the friends of the bride ana bridegroom being present. The contracting parties were Miss Annie Fitness, eldest daughter of Mr. George Fitness, Bleazard's Road, Auckland, and Mr. Alexander Clark, youngest son of the late James M. Clark, of Woodside, Pollok. The ceremony took place at the residence of the bride's father, and was conducted by the Rev. Frederick Warner, of the Congregational Church, Auckland. The bridesmaids were Miss Rose and Miss May Fitness, sisters of the bride; the groomsman was Mr. J. T. Niblock. At the conclusion of the ceremony an adjournment was made to the dining-room, where a very tempting wedding breakfast was laid out, at which the bride and bridegroom received the hearty and sincere congratulations and good wishes from the friends present for their future happiness and success. The bridegroom returned thanks. The happy pair drove off to Onehunga in time to catch the s.s. Weka on her first trip, when showers of rice followed them amid hearty good wishes. James Wills, the lad who was hurt on the racecourse, has so far recovered that he is able to be about again. One day last we*k some person or persons broke into Mr. Coulttard's gum store, and stole a quantity of gum chip to the value of about £12. The thieves, it seems, made an entrance by prising off a couple of boards at the back of the store, and made off with the booty. [Own Correspondent.]