COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10074, 9 March 1896, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

[raOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Cambridge, Friday. It is stated on what may be considered good authority that the validity of the action of the Waikato Licensing Committee in granting the removal of the Club Hotel licwise from Te Aroha to Huntly, will be tested in the Supreme Court. The point to be raised is that removals are in effect new licenses and can only be granted at the annital meeting. The Hon. J. McKeuzip, Minister for Lands, is expected here in a few days, and Cambridge people are hopeful that at last something will be done to further settlement in this district. Mr. McKenzie is expected to address a meeting of farmers at Cambridge before leaving the district, [ny TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Rotop.ua, Saturday. The Lands Department notify that the Town Board will be given full power under the Board of Health Act, 1876, to effect sanitary regulations. The district will include the watersheds of the Utuhina and Paerenga streams. Steps will be at once taken to carry out the proper sanitary measures. PUKEKOHE. Tub usual meetlug of the Literary and Debating Society was held on the 25th February, when the chair was taken by Mr. Mann, vice-president. The following officers were added to those elected at the previous meeting Mr. D. Russell, second vice-president; Mr. La Roche, treasurer; and Mr. Blackwell, secretary. The business of the evening was short papers or addresses. Mr. Russell spoke on " Bacteriology," with special reference to the microbes of disease, their discovery and proposed lines of treatment. Attention was drawn to the importance attached to tuberculosis by the recent Medical Conferonce and to the communicable nature of the disease. In the discussion which followed the proposed prohibitive legislation of the Government re consumptives was condemned, one gentleman asserting that he came to the colony a mere wreck from the disease, and was now convalescent. The next paper was on " Knowledge," by Mr. Laßocne, who stated that, considering the facilities for gaining information, the ignorance of the masses was very dense. He deprecated the " penny dreadful" and the trashy love tale, which, he averred, formed the chief intellectual food of our young people. Mr. Dent gave a stimulative address on "Earnestness as a Motive Power for Good in the World." The concluding paper was a somewhat lengthy hut very interesting one by Mr.Blackwell on "The Turkish Question." The writer outlined the history of the Ottoman Empire from the earliest times and concluded by expressing the opinion that if an Anglo-Russian alliance were formed Russia might be allowed to occupy Armenia.— Correspondent.l

WHAN GAR ATA. On Friday evening last a very successful concert in aid of the funds of the Sundayschool was held in the school. There was a large attendance of friends from all parts, and all seemed to thoroughly appreciate the various items of the programme, which were contributed by Misses Pagan, Stewart, French, Young, and Clcghorn, and Messrs. J. H. Wright, Skipwith, Mackay, Pulman, and Dent. The comic songs of Messrs. Skipwith and Pulman caused roars of laughter, while Miss Fagan's rendering of "Dublin Bay" and "Say Au Reroir" was a treat to listen to. Misses Stewart and French were also in good voice, aod did much to enhance the pleasure of the evening.— Correspondent.] WHANGAROA. The Rev. E. Walker, lecturer for the New Zealand Alliance, has paid a flying visit to the district. lie opened the campaign in the To tar a Hall on the 19tli February, when there was a fair attendance, and about twenty of the fair sex put in an appearance, showing the interest they take in this important question that affects them so much. Mr. R. Shepherd presided, when Mr. Walker explained what had been done by legislation towards the suppression of the liquor traffic. At the close a cordial vote of thanks was givon to him, and also to the chairman. On Thursday evening he went over the same ground in the old schoolhouse, Whangaroa, Mr. Laue, J.P., presiding, and on Friday evening he lectured in the Wesloyan Church, Kaeo, Mr. J. Hare, J.P., presiding. His audience was composed of mora than half ladies, who took a great interest in the suppression of intemperance. The usual votes of thanks were passed, and the meeting closed. Rev. Mr. English, Anglican minister, paid a visit to the district, but only a few knew of his presence amongst them. It is of no use for a minister or lecturer coming into a sparsely poDulated district without making [himself acquainted with the people.-[A | Correspondent. |

MANGKURA (TAUHOA). Our little settlement, if not advancing, is not receding. We hud somewhat of a scene with regard to our school when it was proposed to reduce the lowest average to2o, as we found we should be unable to keep & teacher; butas the roll number is now 27, find the average lowered to 15, matters look more promising. Our excellent teacher, Mr. Brown, was removed at the end of the year to an Auckland school, after doing yeoman's service to the district. The new teacher, Miss Hamilton, seems likoly to be a worthy successor to Mr. Brown. An application has been made to the Education Board for a larger building than the one now in use, which was erected at the cost of the settlers, and is now overcrowded. The little timber mill of Mr. West's is prospering, aud a cargo lias been sent to Helensville.

In spite of the long-continued drought the sheep in this settlement are in improved condition, but rain is much needed. The roads are much out of repair, and if not patched before winter will be in a sorry plight. It is possible at present for wheel traffic to pass over them, but the West Coast P.oad should be put into such a state that the mails from the railway at Kaukapakapa could be carried thereon northward at a saving of time and expense, such as is now incurred by the roundabout coach carriage from Devonport to Warkworth and onward by trap or packhorse.—[A Correspondent.]

WAIRARAPA. Mr. Buchanak (M.H.R.)and Mr. W. Booth (sawmiller) have purchased a paddock of 8J acres in Carterton for £500, and presented it to the town, to be held in trust for recteation purposes. A large party of eighteen Masterton ladies and gentlemen have just returned from a very enjoyable trip to the tops of theTararua ranges. They were blessed with fine weather for the trip, and adopted the camp life to the letter, being equipped with tents, packhorses, etc. The ladies on this occasion wore the bloomer costume style of dress, which proved a great convenience to travelling. _ Owing to the very low state of the rivers surrounding Masterton, trout are taken out by poaohers in great numbers, and rangers find it difficult to secure convictions. Tho Masterton-Opaki Jockey Club are likely to have trouble with the Metropolitan Club over the passing of their programme. Totalisator prevents it. It appears the Metropolitan Club passed the Opaki programme on the condition that no totalisator permit be granted, when the Masterton stewards rose up in anger, sent a deputation to Wellington, interviewed the Premier and Colonial Secretary, who granted their club a totalisator permit, at which the Metropolitan are much incensed, and warn owners, jockeys, etc., that the action of the Colonial Secretary was illegal, and any jockey, etc., taking part in the meeting will be disqualified. Another deputation is now in Wellington to interview the stewards of the Metropolitan Club, and seek legal advice on the question, and I am awaiting developments.—[Own Correspondent.]