COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9917, 5 September 1895, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from oob own correspondents.]

Rotosua, Wednesday. Mr. R. J. Gill, land purchase agent,, has now resumed attendance at his office. Most of the land being dealt with now is situated in the Urcwera country. Mr. W. Brakenrig, of the Auckland Young Men's Christian Association, is now in Rotorua. He conducted service at the Presbyterian Church last Sunday, and is announced to deliver a lantern lecture on Friday night on " Africa and the Africans," in aid of the church building fund. Mr. sanatorium engineer, returned night, met with a very hearty receptees.* » Complaints are being made here that the stores established by the Government in the interests of the co-operative labourers in the Urewera country are supplying goods to the general public, and thus interfering with private storekeepers. The suggestion made by a Herald correspondent the other day, in regard to the opening up of roads near here, with the object of promoting settlement, in place of spending money in the comparatively barren Urewera country, meets with the warm approval of the residents of this district A new line of road is at present under construction, via Rotoiti, to the east coast, and it is pointed out that the making of branch lines from this main road, one along the eastern shore of Rotoeha, and down through the settlements of Pongakawa and Otamarakau to the coast, and another along the margin of Rotoma, via Okarahea and Manawahe, and through the rich country between there and Matata, would render much magnificent country accessible. Were such done it is regarded as a certainty that a great accession of population would at once take place.

i [by TELEGRAPH.— own CORRESPONDENTS.] I Pakroa, Wednesday. I la consequence of increased work at the Warden's Office temporary assistance has been granted. A new clerk will arrive in a day or two. Morrinsville, Wedn«sday. At the monthly meeting of the Waitoa Road Board there were present Messrs. Chepmell (chairman), Aitken, Horrell, and o*Donoghue. Thirds, amounting to £128, were reported as baring been received from the Receiver of Land Revenue, and the Engineer and Mr. O'Donoghue were appointed by the Council to draw up a scheme of works for expenditure of the amount. Accounts amounting to £80 odd were passed for payment. Owing to the depredation* of crops by fallow deer in the Upper Thames Valley the settlers in that district are getting up a petition to the Auckland Acslimitisation Society to remove the present restrictions pertaining to the protection of the deer. The petition is as follows — We hereby call your attention to the fact that the fallow deer have increased to such an extent as to inflict serious damage to the crops and pastures in this district. During the present winter their depredations have been especially severe. Herds of a dozen or more are common. As ordinary fences afford no protection against them, our turnip crops have sustained great damage, whilst young plantations have, in some instances, been completely destroyed. We are convinced that unless this evil is checked, most disastrous consequences will ensue, and we would strongly urge upon your society the necessity of taking steps to procure the removal of the restriction as far as this district is concerned." Hamilton, Wednesday. Messrs. Chappell, Jones, Salmon, and Tippin, were to-day nominated to fill the three vacancies in the Hamilton Borough Council. The election takes place on Thursday, the 12th inst. NORTHERN WAIROA. The timber trade is brisk, and consequently shipping is plentiful in port; Aratapu gets the biggest share of this, and the wharves there are oftentimes very crowded. This week there has been lying there together the barques Venezuela ■{ and Royal Tar, brig Vision, and brigantme Aratapu ; and when the mail steamer came to the wharf on Monday she was unable to get alongside even these with her passengers, as one of our small river steamers lay abreast of each of the abovenamed vessels. Consequently, passengers and luggage had to cross two vessels and then climb perpendicular steps to the wharf. The Stella was then lying at Te Kopuru, and the Hannah Nicolson at Dargaville discharging ballast. The Kauri Company have now got the two mills running steadily at Aratapu, acd yet the yards are kept very clear. Petitions for and against the issue of a license for a hotel at Mangawhare have been going the rounds, and each has been freely signed. The trade relations of Messrs. Brown, Barrett, and Co. are very extensive, and many have signed for a license from a feeling of friendship. There are some people resident about Mangawhare who consider that a hotel license will increase trade in the settlement, and some who say that a third license in the neighbourhood will reduce the Erice of beer to 4d, and that they will then e able to drink half as much again for their sixpences. The telegraph line has been completed to Opanaki, and stations have now been opeued at Babylon, Maropiu, and Opanaki. Thii will be a convenience to very many. The new school at Aoroa is to be opened on Monday, Mr. J. Elliott, the appointed teacher, having arrived. The Board have supplied desks for forty pupils only, and it is anticipated that the opening week will find them all occupied. Concerts for charitable purposes have become very frequent in this district, and are suffering in consequence. One held during the week was very moderately attended, although an attractive programme was announced. It would be well ii all oar young men would learn to provide against rainy days by linking themselves with benefit or accident societies. This county has been the most neglected by the Government of all parts of the North, and this neglect it seems is to be continued, for in enumerating the main roads to be taken over by the Government the line through this county is ignored. Opanaki to Hokianga is named, but the road Opanaki southward is omitted, and this portion is in a horrible mess, scarcely passable even in summer. It is not fair to this western side that the Government should take over the road on the eastern side of the island, and leave us in an isolated position. Mr. Donaldson, the contractor for the removal of the Aratapu library to the new site on the main road, has at length got the building into position, and will soon have completed his work. The settlers of Maunganui Bluff have petitioned Parliament to purchase the Maunganui Bluff, so that they may be able to dig gum there without having to pay excessive royalty to private individuals.— [Own Correspondent.] v

changes' take place, and bore the heat and harden of the early days, and viu one of the first to take his part in Road Board work when that Act was first pot into operation and assisted then to hare roads opened in all parts of the district, then solid bosh, full of wild cattle and pigs, and he made the way for what present members of Boards are completing, metal roads. Mr. Hill also passed through the native disturbance here in 1883, and daring those times he acted as guide to the various expeditions that were undertaken to expel the rebel natives from the district, and in that capacity was in two skirmishes, the first where they were met on the farm fa* * has just left, then known as the Big Cleaning. ' So it may well be said of him he fought for his home and country, and he has th« New Zealand war medal to show it. Mr Hill purposes residing in the neighbourhoot of Auckland, and enjoy the remainder of hi days away from the toil and worry of farn life, and his many friends here I am sun wish him and his wife many years of gooc health and pleasure. There was a clearing out sale of cattle and household effects 01 Wednesday, and things brought fair prices The farm has been purchased by Mr. Wild blood, the price paid being about £9 per acre It was sold through Messrs. Vaile and Sons land agents, Auckland. It is well situated and is in a rising district. We have bees treated to some nice null rain, and there are now strong evidences o springtime being upon us, and feed will soo; freshen up, a much desired change for stock which have suffered much in all snrroandin districts during the sinter we have gon through. Peach trees are also bursting int bloom, another spring omen.—[Own Corres pondent.l