COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10021, 7 January 1896, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM 008 OWN

Hamilton, Monday. The Te Awamutu cricket team did not put in an appearance to play the match with the Hamilton Club on Saturday. The Hamilton therefore claim the game by default, which is one to its credit in the Association matches, ~

Mr. John Knox hold a very satisfactory sale of goods and furniture on the premises of Mr. T. Cassidy, Hamilton East, on Saturday. Very fair prices were obtained, and there was a large attendance from all parts of the district. The sale was not concluded till close on six o'clock in the evening. Bishop Cowie held a confirmation service at St. Peter's Church last night. There was a large congregation, and he preached an eloquent sermon. There were thirty-two celebrants. A wedding is to come off early in the week between Mr. Frederick Gaudin, son of the lato proprietor of the "Grand," Auckland, and Miss Endeau, daughter of Mr. John Endean, of tho Waitemata Hotel. The wedding cake was forwarded by train to Auckland on Friday. It is of Hamilton make, the production of Mr. Forgie, of Mr. E. T. Davcy's bakery, and is really a work of art. It is a four-decker, stands about three feet high, and weighs some 701b. It certainly takes the cake for. Waikato productions of the like kind.

The railway authorities have made some slight concessions in the freight of milk, fruit, fish, etc., but are far behindhand with those made on the Victorian lines, where they study quite as carefully as we do to make their railways pay commercially. In Viotoria the carriage for fish, honey, meat, fruit, new potatoes, and vegetables generally, the mini, mum charge for. any distance is Is, which covers the freight, up to ISO miles for specific weights as follows; One owt of fruit, 401b of houey, of meat, lewt of new potatoes, or lewt of other vegetables can be sent by (roods train any distance up to 150 miles for Is. Such concessions made to country settlers would enable them to dispose of their produce in a market at a profit, instead of as now letting it run to waste or be fed to the pigs.' Ohaupo, Monday. The Presbyterians of Pukerimu held their annual picnic on New Year's Day at Miss Fisher's farm, and there was a good attendance despite the fact that the services of very many vehicles were not procurable, being required for other purposes. Games and races were organised for the amusement of thoso present, who appeared to ynjoy themselves vastly. There was a good muster in the afternoon, and ample refreshments were provided by the ladies. On breaking •up three hearty cheers were given for Miss Fisher and those who assisted in getting up the picnic. The children attending the Wesleyan Sunday-school, Hautapu. also held their annual feast, when children and friends assembled at Broad Meadows, Hautapu, the property of Mrs. Martyu. Mrs. Rolrcrts, tho superintendent of the Sunday-school, and others, improvised games, etc., and all spent a very pleasant time of it. The party sat down to a beautiful tea, after which, as it was coming dark, they dispersed homewards, not without according a very hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Martyu for the use of her grounds, An accident happened to Mrs. McNicol last Sunday while riding to church, her horse fell while coming to one of the bridges, and Mrs. McNicol was thrown violently on to it, the wheels passing over her body. The horse then took fright and galloped away, but was caught by Mr. Bukowsky, who returned to the scene of the accident, where he found Mrs. McNicol standing, leaning against the bridge, quite dazed, and holding on by the rail. He procured assistance, and the lady was got home and her hurts attended to. Happily to say, she received no serious hurt, and soon recovered from her partly unconscious state. She was exceedingly fortunate to escape with a severe shaking. Wuatawuata, Monday. New Year's Night was kept up here with a plain and fancy dress ball, which was held m Iwerson's Hall. About 50 couples occupied the floor, so the hall was not crowded. Mr. Percy Meredith camo up espeoially from Auckland to provide the dance music, which was of the best. James Drury assisted with the cornet. Mr. Alexander Mocredie and Mr. Meredith gave some songs during the intervals of the dances, which were evidently approved of, for they were eucored on every occasion. Ample refreshments were provided and the affair passed off to the enjoyment of all who took part in it. Nkwstead, Monday. The erection of the refrigerating machinery imported by Mr. Henry Reyuolds for the Newstead butter factory from the Snider' British Refrigerating Company, was completed ou Friday last, and worked until freezing point was reached. The new building consists of two chamber 12 by 8 each, and are cooled by brine pipes, the brine being cooled by the ammoniacal process. A four-horse power engine, which has been thoroughly overhauled, drives the whole. The work has been carried out by Mr. H. Watts, who erected the freezing works at Ngaruawahia for Reynolds and Co. The daily amount of milk received at the Newstead factory is about 660 gallons.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Cambridge, Monday. The annual meeting of the Cambridge Domain Board was held to-day. Present : Messrs. Wells (chairman), Hewitt, and John Forbes. Before the formal business, the Chairman drew attention to the disgraceful state of the bathiug-house at the Lake, owing to the misconduct of youths using the same. He suggested that if possible a caretaker should be appointed, to be paid out of fees. After discusston, it was resolved that the Chairman consult with the Mayor, with a view to concerted action, and, if necessary, draft au amendment to the bylaws, for submission to a special meeting on Saturday next. The draft balance-sheet of the Board was laid on the table, from which it appeared that the receipts for the year amounted to f'SO Id Id, and the expenditure to £21114s 2d, leaving a balance in the bank of £93 14s Gd, and in hand £19 Is lOd, and the total amount of Domain rents in arrears was shown at £87. The balance-sheet was adopted. The Chairman said ho had reengaged the Domain gardener for six months, as authorised. On the motion of Mr. Fisher, seconded by Mr, Hewitt, Mr, Wells was re-elected chairman for the 17th consecutive time.

Te Aboha, Monday. On New Year's Day the Domain was the scene of a most animated and enjoyable social function. The occasion was the children's annual fSte, and favoured by splendid weather, one of the largest gatherings of pleasure-seekers which has been seen for many a day assembled in our beautiful Domain enclosure. The picnic has been an annual affair for many years, but it was feared that, through some misunderstanding, it might not bo held this year. However, all doubts on that score were soon dispelled, as Mr. McGavin, the popular Domain Board chairman, invited a few of our leading townspeople to co-operate with him in carrying out the necessary arrangements to give the children their annual New Year's treat. The matter was heartily taken up, and au energetic committee appointed, on whose behalf Mr. Win. Hodgsen canvassed the town for subscriptions. His appeal was freely responded to by both visitors and residents, and within a very short time a substantial sum was collected, which enabled the com mittee to make generous provision for prizes and refreshments. The catering was in the hands of Mesdames Mclndoe, Hodgson, and Dickson, ably assisted by Misses Saunders, Boßsonß, Maingay, and VVattam. The children's sports were arranged and carried out by Mr. Mclndoe with an energy and vigour which left nothing to be desired. The adults sports were ably managed by Messrs. R. Brennau and P. Wild, jun., while a Vigilance Committee consisting of Messrs. Gavin, Clongh, Wallace, Hodgson, Rycroft, and Bossous mode it their duty to see that the pleasure and oomfort of visitors, and the public generally, were attended to. The local brass band was in attendance, and materially added to the day's • enjoyment. There was a large number'of prizes distributed, which fact was duly appreciated by the various contestants. The wants of the children in this -matter, were particularly attended to, for scarcely one of them left the ground without bearing with them a souvenir of the day's sport. Altogether, an enjoyable day was spent, and the committee are to be congratulated on the successful issue of their labours.

In view of the successful show held last year, the committee of our local Agricultural and Horticultural Society are again bestirring themselves. They met recently, and decided to hold the next annual zhovr on the 7th March. Hitherto, certificates have been awarded to prize winners, but this year the committee intend to give cash prizes. An unfortunate accident happened in this locality on Boxing Hay, As Mr. John McLeod, of the Gordou Settlement, was driving home from here at night, the horse, frightened by a passing rider, swerved into a bank, causing the trap to capsize. Mr. McLeod escaped without injury, but Mr. M, Robinson, who accompanied him, was not so fortunate, inasmuch as he had his thigh broken. The injured man was taken to the Hamilton Hospital. There is a good deal of dissatisfaction with the train service between here and Paeroa, on account of the' awkward time at which the train is run. ...The inconvenience is principally felt in the matter of the mail service, as, no that the mails are sent by vail instead of coach as hitherto, we have only a! mail every alternate day. There is a strong feeling both here and at Paeroa that daily

train communication should be opened n between Pieroa and Auckland. This conil be done by heans of a branch service botwe, Paeroa anl Morrinsville, a distance of a; miles. -Already there is a daily train S Morrinavile, and there is no doubt that the volume of trade, to say nothing of the in creased toirist traffic which we are haying would justify the railway authorities in mat' ing the new departure. There is some talk of an agitation to secure this very necesjary extension,

The touiist traffic shows'no sign of dimiim. tion. Thfe season has been an exceptionally busy one, and the hotel and boardin»ho, accommodation has been taxed to the utmost to meet the increased demand. Some of the hotels hate had to refuse visitors repeatedly of late, aid there is every probability of large additions being made to accommodation bouses.

UoTonrjA, Monday. . The athletic sports held on Wednesday last, under the auspices of the brass band passed off in a satisfactory manner. Out a{ 18 events on the card, six lapsed, and no records were brokeniu the remainder. The Rotorua Cup Handicap, three distances of 100, 220, and 440 yards, was annexed by W. Dausey, with Rere Potaka second, and J. Morrison third. The Mile and Half-mil< Handicaps also fell to Riri Potaka, tin Maiden Plato to Kakau, the Hardies to Morrison, the High Jump to Peter Jackson, and Throwing the Stone to W. Rogers. On the same day a picnic, arranged by the combined churches, took place to the Njae, and was most successful. On Friday night Mr. Manghan Barnett and Herr Michael Hailing were announced to give a concert in the Pukeroa Hall. So little interest was manifested in tho matter, however, and the audience was so small, that the performers declined to appear, and the admission money was returned. A night or two previously a variety entertainment, at which songs, di,nces, club swinging, ami boxing were the main features, was largely attended, which demonstrates that as a community we are scarcely educated up to an appreciation of high-class music. Tourists who h»ve recently made the trip to Wairoa complain bitterly of the state of the road in that direction. PUKEKOHE WEST. Christmas-day has coma and gone. Th( weather was delightful. A good numbei availed themselves of the day, and drove in traps and buggies, with some on horseback, to Tuakau, so as to enjoy the beautiful sights on the Waikato river. Our Anglican friends attended services which were conduced at St. 'Andrew's Church. In the morning a communion service was carried out by the Rev. McFarland, and in the evening a choral service carried out by Mr. Dent, curate. Instead of a sermon, the choir sang two Christmas carols, and Mr. Bent Bang a solo, " Hosanna in Excelsis," very creditably. Miss Laura Wright presided at the organ in a very able manner. Theohurch was fairly filled, and the offertory taken up was very good. On the evening of Boxing Day a concert and dance was held in the Masonic Hall, tho proceeds to go in aid of our local cricket club, The attendance was very meagre, the amount taken at the doors being about £5. The programme was lengthy and varied, and was carried out in a highly satisfactory manner, and it would be wrong on my part to individualise when all did so well. The vicepresident of the club (Mr. J. Henry Wright) presided. After the usual votes of thanks were passed and singing the National Anthem the audience dispersed, and the hall was soon put in order by willing hands for those who felt disposed to trip in the mazy dance,10wn Correspondent].