COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10084, 20 March 1896, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORKBSPONDEKT9.]

Hamilton, Thursday, The late Horticultural Show has not been a financial success, the committee being some £18 short of expenses. The Chrysanthemum Show is to be held on the 24th and '25th of next month, and great interest i 3 already being taken in making preparation for it by teachers and committee men. The Society appeals to them to assist the children both by prizes and their countenance to make the children's section as popular anil useful in the future as it has been in the past. The children's section is again to lie made one of the principal features of the Show. The commitcc's prizes are for the bouquets only. The Alexander Cricket Club have decided to play Hamilton at Alexandra on Saturday next, the match to commence at twelve o'clock. Mr. W. A. Graham sends the following on the uneasy feeling existing respecting the sugar beet-root industry movement " Yours of the 7th came to hand in due course, and in reply I have to say that I had a similar letter from Mr. Holloway, of the Waikato Times, and 1 replied to it, and thought probably he would have put the letter in the paper. However, 1 may say that I have no news yet, but by the last San Francisco mail I had a letter from our principals in London, and they said that the unfortunate feeling of hostility which bad arisen between England and Germany was likely to delay matters a little, that was all. I do not think much of that, and am hoping every day to hear good news." Messrs. McNicol and Co. have received intelligence that the sheep expected from Opouriao have been detained on the road, and the sale of them, some 4000, will not be held until Saturday next, at Ohaupo, commencing at 1.30 p.m. Tho following tenders have been received by Mr. T. H. White, architect, for the erection of a house far Mr. D. Mclntyre, burned down at the late Hamilton fire. This building will replace all those so destroyed. The tenders were as follow Alexander and McKinnon, £179; Chappell and Salmon, £17.'); Warr, £165; Evans, £165. The tender of Mr. Evans was accepted. Oiiaupo, Thursday. Messrs. McNicol and Co.'s sale on Tuesday was well attended. There was a fine show of cattle, some 300 head being offered, and mostly all sold. One tine lot of steers from Awakiuo sold at prices varying from £3 7s to £3 19a each. Calves were in demand, and sold readily at prices up to 255; steers, three-year-olds, from £3 7s to £3 19s : two-year-old steers up to £2 7s Gd; fat heifers up to £3 17s. Sheep: Good fat wethers, 6s; mixed pon of fat ewes and wethers, 4s. Waitetuna, Thursday. The sports in connection with the Te Mata School were held, despite the welcome showers which somewhat interunted them iu the earlier part of the day. The weather, however, cleared up by noon, and a large number of visitors assembled, coming from Waitetuna, Waingaro, Raglan, and the surrounding districts, A sum of about £7 had been subscribed for prizes, an ample supply of refreshments having been pro- ! vided by tho parents and friends of the children, which was distributed by Mesdames Nicholson, Bregman, Kendall, Millar, and others, who kindly presided at the tables. Mr. Logan officiated as starter, and Mr. Jerome as handicapper. A minstrel troupe, consisting of past and present boys of the Te Mata school, gave a performance, which afforded the children an enjoyable treat. The usual dance concluded the day's amusement: not, however, before the prizes were distributed to the children, cach of whom received a gitt of some kind. The councillor of the riding, Mr. Bankart, has obtained another £50 from the Government, for work on the Te Mata Road, which will provide lor metalling some of the worst places upon it. A portion of this money is to be expended on the Aotta Road, between the Pakoke and Proctor's placc.

Alexandra, Thursday. Tho Salvation Army's harvest thanksgiving service, held at their barracks, was a great success. Sergeant Prince had had the room very nicely decorated with flowers, evergreens, and fruit, amongst which were inserted suitable mottoes. Visitors were present from various parts of the district who assisted the local officers, Lieuteuaut Bailey and .Ensign Crawford, the latter lady conducting the service, in which all present joined most heartily. At the close of the meeting the fruit was sold to all who chose to buy, the proceeds going to the funds of the Army. Huxtly, Thursday. The first concert under the- auspices of. and by members of the Huntly Musical | Society, was given on Tuesday evening last, I in Ralph's Hall, and proved a very satisfac- ' tory entertainment. (There was i very fair

attendance, and each item was well received. Four glees were rendered by members of the society iu a very creditable manner, success, from a musical point of view, being mainly due to the careful and capable management of the conductor, Mr. James Macdonald, an ex-member of the Dunedin Liedertafel Society. The accompanists for the evening were Mrs. D. Talbot and Miss Newmarch, 'ihese ladies also contributed a pianoforte duet, which was highly enjoyed. The following programme, strictly adnered to, was gone through Part I.: Part song, " Hero in Cool Grot," Society; song, " Mona," Mr. E. W. Tattley; Bonn, " Dreaming," Miss K. Harris; song, " Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sail," Rev. Bradbury ; duet (instrumental), Mrs. Talbot and Miss Newmarch ; song, '"Alice, Where Art Thou," Miss Frouglicar; song, "The Deathless Army," Mr. J. Macdonald; song, "Leonore," Miss Edwards; part song, "Let the Hills Resound," Society. Part II.: Part sons:, " The Curfew," Society ; song, " Off to Philadelphia," Mr. J, Macdonald; song, " Love's Golden Dream," Miss Frougliear; quartette, "Sweet and Low," Mrs. Macdonald, Miss Turner, Messrs. R. Skellern and Macdonald ; song, "Anchored," Mr. E. W. Tattley; sons:, "An Revoir," Miss K. Harris ; song, " Nazareth," Rev. A. Bradbury ; part song, "Good Night, tlwu Glorious Sun," Society : "God Save the Queen." A dance followed the concert, and was, as usual, well attended. -

PUKEKOHE EAST. Mr. J. Knott, temperance lecturer, with his up-to-date lantern and splendid slides, visited this district on Monday last, and in the evening delivered one of his thrilling addresses, illustrated by numerousscenes thrown on the sheet. During the day Mr. Knott took a photo of the school children grouped together outside the school building, which he exhibited under limelight iu the evening to the delight of the youngsters. Alter lecturing in most of the districts about here Mr. Knott will, in due course, tour the Waikato districts. He runs a covered fourwheeler, in which he carries necessary supplies of chemicals, etc., for his lantern and photo operations, and an evening with Knott is voted a rich treat. Dry weather still prevails, and fortunate are those settlers who took the precaution to grow maize for green fodder, though in not a few cases the fodder is short for want of moisture. The milk supply must be diminishing every week.—[Own Correspondent.]

MANGAWAI. A concert, followed by a dance was held on March 6, in the Public Hall, at which there was a very large attendance. The concert was arranged by a committee from the district as a benefit to Mr. D. Molr, whose son met with an accident a few weeks back. The entertainment was a marked sucoess financially (clearing £13 103), and was also a vocal and musical success. Miss Fitzpatrick and Mrs. W. Stewart contributed greatly to the evening's amusement Dancing commenced at eleven p.m., under the management of Mr. T. Webb and Mr. Johnson, find was continued till two a.m. Music was provided for the dance by Messrs. J. Webb, B. Lye, J. Clark, and T. Swan.— Correspondent.]

OMAHA. The trustees of the public hall held their annual meeting on March 7th, when the accounts for the past year were laid before the meeting 'is follow [—Receipts: Balance, January 1, 1895, £9 8s 2d; hire of hall, i\3 3s 3d; total, £12 lis sd. Expenditure: Insurance, 9s; rates, 6s 10-Jd; painting, £7 ss; repairs, 12s lid; cleaning, 15s; lighting, 13s 9d; balance in hand, £2 8s lOAd; total, £12 llssd.

The Rev. R. McKinney held divine service in the hall on Sunday afternoon. The Rev. gentleman also held a service at I'akiri in the morning.

A large number of settlers and others gathered together at the ship yards of Mr. David Darroeh 011 Monday morning to witness the launch of another splendid scow. Exactly at high water the order was given to cut away, and she glided into her native element amidst cheers from the crowd. She is named Whakapai (meaning good canoe). She is built of the very best materials, and extra strong, and like all the vessels turned out by Mr. Darrocli, the workmanship is first-class. The Whakapai has been built to the order of the Mgunguru Coal Company, and is intended for the coal trade. She has a very large hatchway, the combing extending about three feet above the deck. There is a nice little cabin aft, which will bo very comfortable. The painting has been done by Mr. George Aslnon, and reflects great credit on him, the cabin especially being beautifully grained in imitation of oak. It was the opinion of everyone that the Whakapai would take the shine out of any of her class that has yet visited the Waitemata harbour. The following are her dimensions :— Length, 85 feet; beam, 24 feet; depth of hold. 6 feet. She is estimated to carry about 130 tons of coal. Immediately after the launch, the company repaired to the shed, where refreshments were partaken of, and success to the Whakapai and her builders were drunk in bumpers. She is expected to leave tor Auckland about Saturday next,— [Own Correspondent.)

FORTY-MILE BUSH. Paiiiatua Ins been the centre of important events lately. The Argus office fire is still a mystery, and likely to remain so. The proprietor of the Argus is offering £"50 for information leading to the discovery of the culprit, but though thorn is small doubt of someone's intention to burn the place, it will be hard to fix upon the person who carried out thnt intention. Benzie's boardinghouse fire was the result of a defective chimney in Benzie's kitchen. Messrs. Webb, Rowley, Grainger, Smith, and Falconer, whose shops and offices were burnt, have recommenced business in temporary premises. Mr. T. C. Williams will probably build again. We have had a most distinguished visitor in our midst, the Countess Wachtmeister, widow of the late Count Wachtmeister, Minister for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, Sweden. This lady has for many years devoted her life to the philosophy of Thcosophy. She was an intimate friend of Madame Blavatsky, and lived with that remarable woman for six years, until her death in 1891. Since then the Countess has been travelling about in various countries, spreading the truths of Theosophy. She made a most successful lecturing tour in America, where she had crowded audiences. Her style of speaking is eloquent, though at the same time simple and clear; her power of imagery is great, so that she seems to bring vividly before her audience the truths she wishes to convey to them. During her visit to Pahiatua she gave one lecture and one reception. She is wending her way slowly to Auckland, via Palmerston, Wanganui, and New Plymouth, and will lecture in all these towns. The first annual show held by the Mangataitiokn Horticultural Society was a great success. The exhibits were good and numerous and the attendance of the public large— indeed almost too large for comfort in the evening. Mr. Walther's large hall was packed; oue could hardly see the exhibits, and had to keep walking round and round the hall taking care of one's toes.

The Mangatainoka Football Club's ball on the evening of St. Patrick's Day was a great success too.

Although the weather has been damp and wintry the grass has grown very little during the past fortnight, several paddocks being almost bare.

Mr. J, Barker, of Mangahao, Is talking of joining the party of New Zealand farmers who leave for South Africa in May. Mr. Wagstaff has disposed of his Mangatainoka brewery to Mr. Isharwood, of Palmerston. Mr. Isherwood will make extensive improvements in the building. The Farmers' Association will be & great boon to the settlers of this district. The first stock sale held in their magnificent yards on Saturday was a gigantic success. Now that the Association's sales have commenced, it is to be hoped that every one of the 300 shareholders will work with a will to throw off the yoke that is crippling them, and make the Association the success it deserves to be. Mr. Griffith has re considered his intention to resign the chairmanship of the County Council. He will retain his scat until the election in November next.

The new infant school at Pahiatua was opened with a social, music, dancing, cards, draughts, chess, and an exhibition of children's work, were the attractions, and a fair sum was realised, which goes towards a piano for the school. The school will be well off soon. It has a nice Library, which "M as started at the suggestion of Mr. Hamilton Moore (then a pupil), by the Boy's Sports Committee, and has since been been added to by good-hearted townspeople.—[Own Correspondent]

KAITAIA. Sheep-stealing is going ahead in this district. Mr. R. H. M. Puckey has had two eaten that he knows of, and has a very good idea who have eaten them. The settlers have promised to give £10 to any person or persons who will bring these offenders to justice. Pigs, sheep, and cattle all go down these people's throats, and are much appreciated by them, for as yet it costs them nothing. There are a gang not very far distant who, I hope, will soon meet what they deserve. Mr. Houston addressed his constituents last week. One of the principal features of his address was the Banking Bill and Advance to Settlers Bill, which he said spoke volumes for our present administration. Had not the Government come to the rescue of the Bank of New Zealand many people would have suffered. Had that institution failed it would have been a very sad calamity, and ; very few would have escaped.

Judge Puckey his crew of three men lmvfi gone to complete the" excursion house nt Raugaunu Heads, which I think is a great credit to the builders. There is a beautiful view to the harbour. Mr. Thompson is near completing, his contract, but I am afraid there is not enough blinding put on. Four inches I am told is the depth. Mr. R. S. Johnston is building a gasoline ship to compote with Mr.Subritzky'sMedora and Northern S.S. Company. The ship's dimensions are: 35ft loug, 10ft beam, and 4ft 6in deep, capable of carrying ten tons of cargo. It will be built at Johnstonville. Kaitaia, and brought on wheels to the port. Mr. Subritzy is also building another ship for gasoline engines. It is' being built at Whangaroa by Messrs. Lane and Brown, and will be 15-horse power, and is to travel eight kuots per hour. Johnston's ship is 4-horse power; speed the same or thereabouts. Our place, it can be seen, is making headway. Sailing ships are 100 slow for the times. The engines for the two ships are on the way from America.— [Own Correspondent.]

TANUITEKORIA. No doubt to many the above place is quite unknown, although it is one of the earliest settlements in the Worth. It was here that, early in the forties, the Rev. James Btiller (one of the best known of Wesleyan missionaries) began his labours among the Maoris. In those days the Maoris were far from friendly, taking every advantage of those who were settled among thein; in fact, it was a decidedly risky matter to refuse a Maori anything to which he had taken a fancy. But although this is such an old settlement yet it has advanced but little, chiefly because the Maoris would not part with their land on any consideration. The oldest settler in the district, Mr, Thomas Watson, has been here for over 30 years, and still lives in the old missionary house built by the Rev. J. Duller, plainly showing that the timber used was none but the best. Another important reason why this district is in such a backwardstate is the oft-repeated complaint of want of roads. Although only 25 miles from Whangarei, we cannot reach it much under five hours, even in the summer time, while in winter it is quite a day's journey. Tangiteroria is situated on the Wairoa River, 35 miles above Dargaville, in the midst of some of the finest of New Zealand forest, abounding as it does in kauri, kahikatea, and totara, three of our most valuable woods The scenery here is equal, in the opinion of many, to that afforded by the Wanganui River. The river, fringed by the graceful willow, with the majestic trees of the bush behind, presents a very picturesque appearance. About nine miles further up the Wairoa is joined by the Mangakahia, and a few miles still further up the Wairua, where may be seen the Wairua Falls, one of the natural beauties of the North.

Nearly ten years ago a native school was established here; but, owing to constantly decreasing attendance, it was closed in the winter of IS9'2. After being closed for a year, it was reopened by the Board of Education, Mr. 8. Macky being appointed teacher. During the past eighteen months the school has been steadily advancing, there now being 29 children attending. A short time ago Mrs. Rasmussen, the wife of our popular publican, started a subscription for the purpose of giving the children a trip down the river. The Minnie Casey, our regular steamer, was chartered to take the children and their parents to Mungawhare on the 22ntl ultimo. Leaving shortly after 6 a.m., Manga whare was reached a little before 11. The children, accompanied by their parents and friends, adjourned to the racecourse, the use of which had been granted by Mr. Day. Races were held for both boys and girls, and even those who were not lucky enough to win races were presented with a toy of some description. To Captain I'earce of the Minnie Casey much praise is due for the way in which he collected money for the children's sports and for his efforts to make all enjoy themselves. The return trip up the river was very pleasant, musk) and dancing being indulged in. After paying all expenses there was a balance of £.3 Is 9d, which is to be devoted to the formation of a school library,—{A Correspondent.]

AWARIiA. Mr. F. Bukwith and party have just finished two sections of the Raglau-Opuatia Koad, between Mr. Goodsell's property and Kahuiiuru, ami are at present engaged ou a section of the Awaroa Road, which opens up a large block of good land, where roads are much required, and it is to be hoped the Waimata will be bridged. This creek is a demon in wet weather. This road leads to Mr. Patersmi's property. The settlers are clubbing together to put up a substantial shed to receive their stores, wool, fungus, etc.; also taking steps to enforce their rights to keep the creeks open for navigation, viz., Whaugapi and Awaroa Creeks. Both creeks now arc almost useless through neglect and carelessness, but combination and self-interest will clear the way. —[Churchill Correspondent.]

HASTINGS. The long drought has not yet broken up, and there is no indications of rain. The country is parched in every direction. The 'prospect for winter feed is poor in the extreme.

Bush fires continue to rage up country with more or less vigour, and several of our townsmen are heavy losers by late fires in the Danevirke bushes.

Mr. McKenzieand family, of Mount Erin station, leave this week for a visit to the old country. Mr. McKenzie has been one of the pioneer settlers in this district, and we wish them a pleasant and enjoyable trip. The Hastings bowlers are enthusiastic in their praise of the princely treatment they received in the northern city. Captain W. R. Russell and bis brother are currying out extensive improvements on the Fltixmore estate, and all the work is being done by local tradesmen. , Dr. Nairn has moved into his handsome residence in Railway-street. The doctor, during his residence here, has made a host of friends, and is deservedly popular with all classes.

The autumn races, which take place this month, is attracting the usual crowd of sports and horseowuers to the town. Business generally lies been very stagnant for the last few months, and never before has times been so dull. The harvesters have disappeared with their wages, none being circulated in the town. The freezing operations at Tomoana are also very slack. The outlook for the coining winter is anything but bright. Mr. Geo. Ebbett, late managing clerk for Williams and Loughnan, solicitors, is opening an office in Beecroft's building, where he will commence practice as a solicitor. Mr. Ebbett is one of the most deservedly popular young men in the district, and being of a courteous and obliging disposition, no doubt will be well supported by the residents and settlers of the district which he claims as his birthplace. A law case of local interest will be heard this week between two well-known knights of the cleaver. As is usually the case in most law suits the litigants are spending the amount in court that the dispute could bo settled for.

The losers by the last couple of fires here will have no occasion to publish a letter of thanks for the promptness with which their claims have been settled. The buildings that were burned are now nearly reinstated, but the owners of the stock that was destroyed by fire have not as yet been paid for their losses.

The contractor for the formation of Norton Road seems to have had a tough contract. Heavy rails had to be placed ou the plough to make it bite. It seems a waste of energy and money to let a contract for road formation at this time of the year when the ground is like a rock, and the road in question leads nowhere, and is never used. The dust-cart contractor and his merry men are supposed to have their collection taken up ana finished by nine o'clock a.m., but this by-law, like many more manifestos issued by the Borough Council, is a dead letter, and is relegated to the dust bin. A watermelon tragedy was nearly being enacted a few weeks ago in Havelock. It appears that the owner of a melon patch observed some strangers on the banks of the river that bounded his property, and thinking they were on a melon raid, fired on them. The shot narrowly escaped hitting one of the intruders in the heaa,-{Own Correspondent.]