COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9774, 22 March 1895, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

. [from our own, correspondents.] Huntly. Thursday. . The Domain Board has granted permission to the Hamilton Athletic Club to expend £25 in making permanent improvements to the running track in Sydney Square. Cheques of £2 each were received by the Domain Board from Mr. Logie for his son's share of the damage done to the Park reserve by fire, and from the friends of F. Whitaker. The Board received the money, but on a vote carried by three to two, ordered the money to be returned. The Hamilton Lights Infantry corps at a Earade on Tuesday evening, were informed y Captain Reid that unless half the strength of the company went into camp this season at Devonport on the 12th April, it would be recommended for disbandment. It was resolved to celebrate the anniversary of the company with a dance. Morrinsville, Thursday. The Valuation Appeal Court is to be held afc Aroha, before Mr. Kenny, S.M., on Friday, sth of April, at noon. A number of appeals have been lodged, amongst them that of Mr. W. F. Buckland, who wrote to the County Council that " they were fleecing him. He could riot stand it." Authority has been received from the Under-Secretary of Mines to expend on tracks and roads at Waiorongomai, and a letter from Mr. Gordon, mining inspector, approving Mr. Pavitt's plans and specifications. The Council authorised tenders to be at once called for the work, and appointed Messrs. Herries and Gavin to deal with them. ! The following tenders have been dealt with:—Sanding road near Waihou sale yards; McCabe and party, £9 12s 6d; R. Mackie, £12 5s ; P. O'Grady, £13 2s 9d; R. Parr (accepted), £9. Road repairs, Gordon Settlement: W. Newsome (accepted), £17; P. O'Grady, £17 15s; J. McLeod. £20. Sanding near Te Aroha Bridge: Mackie, £15 ; R. MoCoII, £14; P. Baine, £13 15s; R. Parr, £13 10s ; J. Hickey (accepted), £10 12s. Cambridge, Thursday. At Friday's sale McNicol and Co. Bold 1000 four-tooth crossbred wethers from Galatea station at 9a ; 850 full-mouthed crossbred ewesat4s4Jd. Mr. Atkinson's sale yesterday was well attended. Farming implements and furniture realised satisfactory prices. Fat ewes, full mouths, brought 7s ;• lambs, 4s 6d; store ewes, 4s 8d; dairy cows sold at from £2 15s to £6 5a ; two-year-old heifers, £2 10s to £2 17s 6d; three-year-old steers, £4 Us fid ; cighteen-mouths-old steers, £3 2s 6d; twelve head of cattle, mixed sexes, yearlings, an average of £2 each ; plough horses, £8 to £9 15s. PUKEKOHE WEST. Orjß district is looking beautiful just now, the roads are good, and the paddocks are nice and green. Settlers are busy at present .taking'out- potatoes, and laying the stubble paddocks down in grass. ? I hear on good authority that Mr. Robinson, of the Pukekohe Hotel, has sold out his interest to a gentleman from the South, who takes possession in about a month. The nice little compact property known as Mount Radford, belonging to Mrs. Conning, and situated about a mile and a-half from Pukekohe station, has recently changed hands, a Mr, James Hosking, of Whangaratta, being the purchaser. To show how weli our Jerseys and grade Jerseys are thought of by outsiders, I may mention that a cow and heifer, shown at the last show ,by, Mr. J. H. Wright, the heifer taking first and champion prizes, are purchased and sent down South. s It was spoken of a few weeks since that the Dairy Association were likely to have opposition another season, as a gentleman with meairs intended to start to erect creameries, and to purchase milk, etc. To all whom it may concern, I can say,- without fear of contradiction, that such is not the case, the said gentleman not having the least intention of starting. I trust our people will do their best to produce as much milk as they possibly can another season, so as to enable the Association to increase their output of butter and proportionately lessen expenses. This would assist the company to tide over the present depressed times and low prices ruling for butter in the home market.—[Own | Correspondent.] V MAUNGATUROTO. On the 10th instant the anniversary services in connection with the Congregational Church Sunday-school were held, and on the following day the annual Sunday-school festival was held. The afternoon, until five o'clock, was devoted to sports and children's games. At five o'clock tea was ready, and a fairly numerous company sat down to do justice to the good things provided. After tea was over the annual meeting was held, resided over by the pastor, the Rev. C. E. . Davidson. The secretary's report stated that the school was never in a more flourishing condition than at present. The treasurer stated that the. finances were in a healthy state, and that there was a respectable balance in hand, and every debt had been ! met and discharged. After these formalities had been gone through the evening was I devoted to the singing of anniversary hymns I by the scholars and friends. Altogether a ' very pleasant day and evening was spent.— [Own Correspondent.] PAPAROA, " I On the 10th instant, during the morning service, the Rev. B. F. Rothwell baptised : the infant children of Messrs. J. R. and G. . K. Cliff. The water - used was from the River Jordan, kindly provided by Mrs. W. ' H. Smith, of Auckland. . The Rev. E. H. Wyatt held a harvest festival at St. Mark's on the 17th. The i church was very prettily decorated for the occasion. There was a full congregation. ' The show committee met on the 16th instant to ascertain their financial position, ' when, from a statement prepared by the 1 secretary, it was seen there would be a ; balance in hand. It was decided to pay the ' prizes as per poster. A prize, value £1 Is, ' was received from Messrs. Burns and Co., i and it was allotted to the winner of the 14st ' carrying hack.— Correspondent.] . j OMAHA. ( Our school teacher, Miss M. Wann, has j resigned her appointment with the Board of Education, being about to enter the bonds of matrimony. She gave a treat to the children ' attending school on the 11th March. After ' partaking of refreshments all kinds of games ' were indulged in till dusk, when fireworks ' were let off, to the great amusement of the < youngsters. Then all repaired to the school, < where a tree loaded with gifts for every child 1 was on view, and the gifts were distributed ' by the teacher. Before dismissing them the ' teacher spoke a few kindly words to the 1 children. She had not been in any school where the children were so good ; she had ' never heard a wrong word, and whoever the ( next teacher might be she advised them to ' extend their kindly feelings 1 to her. They J were then dismissed, highly delighted with ' the treat. c The Rev. R. McKinney held a religious ' service in the hall on March 17. He took his c text from Hebrews xi., 38, "Of whom the « world is not worthy." This being St. Patrick's i Day, the sermon was on the great Apostle of 8 Ireland, giving an outline of his life, and the J clreat good he had done for Christianity, in- J gueding some remarkable dreams he had, ' ore telling the spread of the Gospel in Ireland. a Tht address was listened to with great inte- J "res throughout. ' Miss F. Harding has been appointed to our ' school. It is closed in the meantime, pend- r ing her arrival.—[Own Correspondent.] I 1 [I NORTHERN WAIROA • ;,-; T* The Board of Education have at length decided to erect a school at Aoroa, which will ' ii serve the mill people at Messrs. Mitchelson n Bros', mill and the other settlers about the v

< locality. The school is to be built on a three- | acre, section fronting the main' road, which section is the free gift of Mr. A. E. Harding.. Messrs. Mitchelson Bros, have almost completed the erection of their new mill, and it I I is questionable whether the Board are not making the new building rather small when they limit its capacity to sixty scholars. Messrs. Mitchelson's new mill was started , on Saturday j but something carried away, and made quite a big. smash in the big frame saw. The, damage is about £200, or more, and will cause a delay of some weeks before ■ a start can again; be made. . The Kopurn- Brass Baud organised an excursion to Denhih's vinery last Sunday in ; the steamer Kopuru, and several availed themselves of the outing. Our fceamboat connection with Helensville '• is very far from satisfactory. The company ' have a great drawback in the p.s. Osprey, which, though a. comfortable boat to travel i in, is by no means fast, and is a source of i great expense. She is again laid up this i week, and her work is being done by the old Kina. The picking of Tom Elliott in the Auck- . land representative cricket team to journey i to Napier at Easter has given general satisfaction here. Aucklanders will find in him a fine defensive bat and a clever break , bowler, who, withagoed field, should prove very destructive. \ The Rev. Joseph Blight is to spend a fourth year in this circuit as Wesleyau minister. Messrs. Jones Bros, are making good progress with the new dwelling-house they are , erecting for Mr. Franklyn Bradley at Arapohue. Mr. Samuel Bradley, of Arapohue, who ' recently broke his leg by falling from the ■ roof of his barn, is now about again. The new bridge having been completed at Opanaki by the aid of a Government grant, the natives have removod their suspension bridge to a site lower down the creek. A man named Burke was caught by a fall of earth at the co-operative works near Opanaki, and crushed somewhat severely ; but he is progressing well towards recovery. The County Council having recently ac- ' quired a road from the natives at Opanaki have agreed to Ist a portion of it for trading 1 purposes to a Mr. Moros. This action is not approved by many about that settlement, 1 and a petition is being drawn up and name--1 rously signed asking the Council to alter its 1 decision. The Opanaki telegraph line vote has not 1 yet been utilised, and goodness knows it is not because it is not wanted. It seems to be a perfect farce for the Government to talk of a surplus when they have made no effort to fulfil their promises to do certain works. Mr. Pope, inspector of native schools, had a look at the Kaihu Valley native school last week.—[Own Correspondent. J ARATAPU. The Education Board have at lengtl accepted a tender for the removal of ou: school building to the main road, and it i to be hoped this will prove the turning poin in its history. When the removal is com pteted the school surroundings will be mucl improved, and the children will no longe: have to wade through mud to get at it. Mrs. Rothwell, wife of the Her. B. F Rothwell, of Paparoa, is expected to preacl here on Sunday, March 24. Water is becoming very short with man] residents in this district, especially on the mil property. In the old days of the Union Sasl and Door Company considerable efforts anc expense were devoted to procuring a suppl] of water, and pipes were laid down from th< hills, but these were taken up some time ago and nothing done to replace them. The barque George Thompson has not ye completed the discharge of her ballast, anc if her loading is to.be as leisurely done she will spend many weeks with us yet. Severa of her hands left her soon after arrival here. The Handa Isle has discharged her ballast, and is a full ship again, while the Thompson • has been lying here.— Correspondent.] THE FORTY-MILE BUSH. Everything has been very quiet in the Bush districts for the past three weeks, only the bush fires causing any stir on the calm evenness of our life river. Some of, the fires have caused great damage and heartaches, but, on the whole, it has been a verj successful burning season. The residents of Mangatainoka had a very anxious night last week ; they were all out keeping the fire then raging among the many logs and stumps around from spreading to their houses. A house belonging to Mr. Perreau, and occupied by Mr. Cruickshank, was burned to the ground despile all their efforts. The furniture was saved. Along both sides of the main road, between Pahiatua and Woodville. the bush demon held sway for several days and nights, making it well nigh impassable in several places. In Pahiatua several houses were in danger, but by pulling down fences and sheds they were saved. The hills all round were ablaze, giving one the idea of a beautiful fireworks display; it was too dangerous to life and property to allow enjoyment, though down at Tutaekara Mr. P. Suoni lost his new house. It had just been completed, and his wife and family were to have moved into it this week. The Makairo mailman had to turn back on Saturday; he dared not face the heat and smoke. Fences, outhouses, haystacks, standing bush, and, in some cases, even sheep, were lost by many of the settlers around. The Pahiatua 'Cycling Club is now an established fact. There are a good number of 'cyclists in the district, and at a meeting held in Mr. D. Crewe's rooms the following officers were elected :—President, Mr. C. E. Beetham ; vice-presidents, Messrs. Grand and Tosswill; committee, Messrs. D. and C. Crewe, F. Wilson, Beetham, and Puckle ; captain, Mr. F. P. Wilson; vice-captain, Mr. C. Crewe ; secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. Puckle. The opening run will be a trip to Tutaekara. The Woodville Freezing Works are now putting through'2so sheep a day. Mr. Wagstaff intends starting a jam, pickle, and sauce factory at Mangatainoka. The Mangatainoka Swimming Club Sports went off swimmingly. The day was fine, and the numerous visitors, who were provided with afternoon tea by kind Mangatainoka ladies, enjoyed themselves very much. The Mangatainoka swimmers got first in most of theevents. Competitors camefrom Woodville, Pahiatua, and Tutaekara, but were nearly all put down. Mr. H. Wilson, the Mangatainoka schoolmaster, is an enthusiastic swimmer, and is to be congratulated on the way he has trained his boy.— Correspondent. J ■h ■■*};-: ■;-• WHANANAKI, :",' '+ At time of writing, we have bad a week's dry weather, with prospect of more ahead. Those with bush to burn are somewhat reassured, for the outlook was beginning to get gloomy for them. The copious rains we have had this summer rejoiced the heart of the grass farmer, but the accompanying easterly gales have caused considerable damage to trees and crops, especially maize, which withers under the sultry blast. Surveying seems to be the only profession which keeps brisk these times. Mr, Bedlington is marking out the block ot Maori land here which recently went through the Native Land Court at Wnangarei. Hazard's party arrived here the other day, from Tairua, in the former's boat. They called at the Great Barrier Island, en route, aud surveyed the chief burial ground of the Wairarapa victims. They report encountering flotsam and jetsam of the wreok everywhere. Debris from the ill-fated vessel have even been picked up on the beaches here. At the last meeting of the school committee, a complimentary resolution was passed, addressed to our late school teacher, Mr. D. C. Brown, and the secretary-in-structed to forward the same to that gentleman. Mr. Boyle, our present teacher, has started a unrht-school class, which is being largely attended by young people. The regulation of an educational system, relating to night classes, is a truly excellent one, extending as it does the benefits of free education to a great extent, and at the same time paying the teacher, by an increase in his average attendance returns. Several of the local sheepowners have, this season, adopted the watering-can system, vice the bath for sheep-dipping. It is found much quicker aud less laborious, and appears to be equajly elective,, if done when the sheep are just off the shears. Mr. J. C. Johnson has put up a special pen for this purpose, holding 20 or 30 well-packed sheep, and floored with corrugated-iron, which runs the drainings into receptacles made for that purpose. -;; : A meeting of the business committee of the Settlers Association was held at the hall on the 9th instant. A letter was read from the Chief Postmaster relative to the proposed money order office here, and for which muchfelt want the committee hope to agitate successfully. In connection with the hall, it was resolved to apply for a reduction in the county rating valuation of that building. The chairman explained the new regulations with regard to the telephone county branch extensions under which applications have to be reported on by the County Council, and a lump guarantee , payment is not required. Under these circumstances it is likely the agitation for telephonic extension to Whananaki will shortly be renewed. The general impression is that the line would pay well. Various matters in connection with -' a local road works were discussed. The Council are now completing the unfinished 60 chains of road between here and Matapore, which for nearly a year have spoilt the usefulness of that roadway. • .■.■-,-■■■■..■,.■ ■■"•' > ] The local postmaster reports a considerable increase in the volume of Whananaki's mail j matter since the establishment of the bi- I weekly mail service.«~{Own Correspondent. J l