COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10406, 2 April 1897, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

(FROM OtJB OWN CORRESPONDENT!!.) Morkinsvule, Thursday. Tbe monthly meeting of the Waitoa Road Board was held here on Saturday last. A schedule of "thirds "due to the Board was received from the Land Revenue Office, sliowiDg amounts due agere?ating £79 odd. It was decided to have a number of roads repaired where necessary, and several of the drains in the district cleaned out and deepened. Accounts amounting to £80 odd were passed for payment. Ohaufo, Thursday, McNicol and Co.'s sale on Thursday was well attended, and good prices realised for most of the stock offered. About 250 empty; cows in forward condition from the Taranaki district excited some competition, and all were sold at prices ranging from £316s to £4 2s. Calves were in good demand, and sold well. Between four and five thousand sheep were offered, and all but a few ma sold at good prices. Most of those that were not auctioned were sold privately after the sale.

Eihikiui, Thursday. At the last meeting of the Town Board, Mr. J. Tristram, who has been a member for some years, was elected chairman of the Board,

The team to represent Kihikihi in the return cricket match againet Waotu on Saturday, will be as follows:—Corboy, Doyle, Elmsly, Gordon, Gardiner, Kay, Hayes, Kewish, McDonald, McGhie, Short, and Webster.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Paeroa, Thursday. So far fifteen returns out of twenty-seven have come to hand in connection with the licensing election, and tho aggregates at oresent are i-Camnbell, 914; McClelland, 737; Dickey, 666: Gavin, 631; Edwards, 491; Whitehead. 476: Bagnall, 462; White, 432; Walton, 451; Niohollj, 435; Hunter, 424: Lipsey, 416; Ellis, 227. MAUKU. As showing the folly of licensing elections, at the election in the Franklin election for five members, there being six nominated, there were only 26 persons recorded their votes at the Patumahoe polling booth on March 25, and I expect the same interest will be shown at most of the other polling places. And why should much interest be taken in it, as there is no principle at stake, for all six candidates hold about the same views, and yet all the machinery of a general election has to be put in motion to reject one name in the largo and scattered district of Franklin? _ Verily it is a farce, but rather an expensive one for the district. The numbers polled here were:—i?lavel,9 votes; Gallagher, 23; Manning, 7; McLeuuun, 11; Wallace, 11; and J. H. Wright, 22.-[Own Correspondent,]

WADE.

The cricketers'concert was held in Lees' Town Hall on the 26th March. Mr. Holdsworth occupied the chair. Owing to the unfavourable weather, tho attendance was small. Tho programme was very good aud well rendered. A vote of thanks to the performers was passed on the motion of Mr. Holdswqrth, and the singing of tho National Anthem concluded a very enjoyable concert. The floor was then cleared, and dancing indulged in until daylight. Good dance music was provided by Mr. W. England, from Auckland.—[Own Correspondent.]

POKENO. The Licensing Committee election for the Waikato electorate was held on Thursday, the 25th March, but little or no interest was taken in this part of the district; firstly, because the candidates' names were all strangers to this part of the electorate; and secondly, it was not known on what ticket they were running. A lecture and limelight entertainment was given on the 26th March, in the Pokeno schoolroom, the proceeds being for the Weeleyan Church fund. The Rev. Mr. Oldham gave a lecture on the New Hebrides, which was both interesting and instructive. Mm. Oldham sang a hymn in the native tongue. At the end v>l the lecture, Mr. Edwards, of Mercer, showed his lime-light views, which were much admired, aud ac intervals songs were sung. The district presents a very busy aspect, the farmers taking advantage of the fine weather for getting in their grass seed and sowing winter oats: also the contractors for metalling the roads are making very good headway in their work.-[Own Correspondent.] MAHURANGI. TnKweathiirin this district is proving very provoking to a large number of settlers who have hush to burn, aud grass seed will be a dead-horse on.many hands this season. Crickets have been very numerous on some farms, but a few cold nights like Saturday Inst will probably rid us of that nuisance. Grass is still abundant, and all stock are luxuriating iu plenty of feed. Our roads are sadly in want of .money and attention. I noticed on the main roac' to the north, a few days ago, several deep holes full of water, and wondered how they were to be negotiated when winter sets in. On the same road, within three miles of Warkworth, the bridges are urgently in need of repair; one, with a plank off the deck, is a regular trap for a horse on a dark night. The others have rotten planks, partly gone, and need prompt attention.—[Own Correspondent.] NORTH ALBBRTLAND. The annual meeting of the Band of Hope was held on March 20. The president (Mr. J.J. Pook) was in the chair. The attendance was not so large a3 the occasion warranted, but those present were mostly workers in the temperauoe cause here. After a varied programme was gone through the election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with. There were four nominations for president, Mr. Ward being elected, while Mr. J. Ward was elected vice-president, and Mr. B. J. Pook was re-elected secretary and treasurer. A committee of five was also elected. It was decided to have a recess for six months, aud upon our re-assembling iu October next it is hoped and expected that all members will be prepared to engage energetically in the work.—|A Correspondent.]

DARGAVILLE. On March 21 the Government steamer Tutanekai arrived here with a cargo of coal for the Kaihu Railway. After discharging she left again on Tuesday for the Manukau. This being her first visit here, many of the residents took a look over the vessel. Those oi nautical experience consider her a smart, well-built craft, admirably suited for her purpose. Oti Monday evenin? that most geuial of skippers, Captain Faircbild, placed the salooa cabia of the Tutanekai at the disposal of some lady friends on board for a 86cial. The ship was brilliantly lit up with the electric light, and the saloou and decks were prepared for dancing. About thirty guests availed themselves of the kind invitation of those on board, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent. On Tuesday the! captain's friends took a trip up the Wairoa River in the s.s. Te Kopuru as far as Mr. Deunin's vinery, and all expressed themselves delighted with the beautiful scenery, little expecting to see such a fine river in this part of the world.—[Own Correipondent.J

TOWAI, In your valuable ,iaper of last Saturday appeared a piece of .lews above the signature of " A Correspondent," stating that Mr. Marshall was building a hall at Towai, which was to be opened when finished by a " go-as-you-please dance." The building has been finished, bnt whether it is a gum shed or a hall is not generally known. Mr. Marshall himself informed me he would build a gum shed large enough to be used as a hall. Bowever, the building was finished in time to hold the exhibits for the district show, and rarely have I seen better samples of produce than were submitted to the society for exhibition. The Rev. Mr. Collins, of Ponsonby, Auckland, held a service in our schoolroom on Monday night, taking for his text Job x. 42. The rev. gentleman gave a splendid discourse, which was listened to with rapt attention. The road works in the valley, carried out under the co-operative system, were visited a few days ago by Mr. D. C. Wilson, who expressed himself pleased with the progress made.—[Own Correspondent.]

CLEVEDON. The harvest festival in connection with the Presbyterian Church here was held on the 21»t The church was very prettily decorated with fruit and appropriate mottoes for the occasion. The Rev. Thomas Norrie delivered a very impressive service at three in the afternoon, and Mr. Jameson (teacher of die day school) in the evening. At the night service a collection was made in aid of the Presbyterian City Mission, 12s 3d being collected. The fruit and collection were forwarded to Mr. McPherson, of the Presbyterian Citv Mission, for distribution. ■ Mr. F. Jameson, head teacher of the Clevedon school, hag forwarded to Auckland, tor the Indian Famine Fund, the sum of £3 14s 6d, which has been collected in the Clevedon and Wairoa South schools, and voluntarily giveu by i«identa.-lO»a Correspondent..! ;

JIATAKOHE. News has just come to hand of the accidental drowning of a little girl belonging to Mr. Reylands. Koad-forming and metalling teems to be progressing with great vigour at present in the district. The thought that we shall have better roads for the comiiie winter will certaiuly create a spirit of cheerfulness in the little community. I trust that our present Couuty Council representative now in office will strive to meet the wishes of the people, and give as great satisfaction as the late member did.-[own Correspondent.] RAGLAN. The sole topics of local news this week is the interest being taken in the coming ball, which eventuates on Friday, and the approaching trial of several Kawhia men, charged with sly grog selling. The detectives engaged in working these cases up were supposed to be men looking for work. The work when found rather surprised most people, especially a few knowing ones who guessed they were spielers." Very heavy rain fell during last week, accompanied by cold winds; in fact, there was a sudden drop of quite 10 degrees in temperature. Prior to the rain, a good many of our settlers managed to burn their felled bush.

The committees appointed to carry on the work of the Congregational Church in the Raglan district are constituted as follows :— Raglan : The Misses Bay and Johnstone, and Mr. A. Smith. Te Mata: Messrs. Saunders and Nicholson, and Mrs. and Miss Sounders. Ruapuke: Messrs. Given, Jackson, Rintoul, and Ward.—[Own Correspondent.]

TE KOPUA (PIRONGIA). The harvest thanksgiving service was held at this old mission station, in the schoolroom, on March 21st, when the room was well filled, although it happened to be the time of a. native funeral near by. The school was tastefully decorated with fruits, vegetables, etc., which altogether had a very pleasing effect. The service was conducted by the Rev. H. Young, whose text was :— "While the earth remaineth seedtime and harvest shall not cease." Considerable interest was excited in the opening of an American organ, a b'ne instrument, which had just been obtained in Auckland by the Rev. W. Gittos, and purchased with a fund collected at Kopua, which was started at the previous harvest festival, March, 1896, and assisted by friends in Auckland, Duueiin, and Wellington during the past twelve months. Mr. Blackman, school teacher at Otorohanga, kindly canie for the purpose of opening the organ, which service he rendered very efficiently, greatly helping the choral part of the service. Kiri Kafcipa had brought the organ (free of charge) in his waggon from Pirougm. The annual picnic of the school was held a short time before, and was a pleasant gathering. Both at the picnic and the service the weather was very flue.—[A Correspondent.] WHAKAPIRAU. A very enjoyable evening was passed on the 23rd March, when the genial host of the Pahi Hotel, Mr. E. Moriarty, entertained at dinner the chairman and secretary of the regatta committee. About twenty gentlemen sat down to a first-class spread, served in the usual up-to-date style which is the rule at this hotel. After the solids had been disposed of the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were duly honoured, and then followed " Our Guests" and " Our Host and Hostess." This sentiment was received with applause, and called forth many speeches of a highly complimentary character. Several other local celebrities were then pledged in the cordial manner peculiar to the devotees of aquatic and athletic sports. The company then resolved itself into a smoke concert. A varied assortment of songs, recitations, and anecdotes were rendered to the entire satisfaction of the audience, encores bein? frequent. " God Save the Queen" brought to a close a very pleasant evening. Three hearty cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Moriarty.— [Own Correspondent.]

WfIANANAKI. We are moving alone in the old groove. There has been and still is a slackeuing-off in die timber trade in consequence of the rain, roadways being covered and tramways shifted by the water, yet, since my last, some se«:n or eight scows have been loaded and despatched. The trading scow Thistle, formerly trading between Auckland and Waipu, put in here with goods for our storekeeper and others, Captain Robert Clarke in charge. I hear she has been purchased by our local storekeeper, who intends to run fier on this trade between Auckland, Whangaruru, and probably the Bay of Islands. The settlers are all very much grieved to hear of the somewhat sudden death of Mrs. Robert Clarke, the wife of the captain of the Thistle, she being well known and greatly respected by everyone in the district. She is a sister to Messrs. Foots, of Mauugatapn and Opuawhauga. Her parents live at the latter place. She leaves a family of nine little ones, five boys and four girls. The Northern Steamship Company's Ohinemuri put in her usual four-weekly visit on Thursday last, and actually came up to the Kauri Timber Company's old wharf, the first time for, I think, over eighteen months, but got stuck up a pippi bed going out, losing a tide. This was caused, I think, by mistaking a stick which had been put in to secure a runaway log and left, for a stick marking the channel. Grass is abundant, and cattle look AL— [Own Correspondent.] KAWHIA. The place has been all excitement for about a fortnight. An excursion party from New Plymouth arrived in the Kanieri on the 12th, and found there was not sufficient accommodation tor the large number that came. Every house was crowded, bat with the aid of tents all were soon under cover. The visitors from Raglan and the Waikato were less fortunate, as some had to be content with the canopy of heaven the first night. The races took place on Saturday, and afforded great pleasure to those interested in that kind of sport. There were eight races, and the prizes were of some value. The Cup (£ls) was won by Waiwera. The following week was spent by the visitors in fishing, shooting, and visiting the various sights. Fish and game were very plentiful; even the hen-roosts and gooseruns suffered. The grapes happened to be ripe atßakauuui, and presented a lovely apfiearauce, the vines spreading over acres of imestone cliffs and grassy slopes. The excursionists had perfect weather, and they only wished that they had a fortnight to stay instead of a week. Perhaps it would have lent to the excitement if this week's programme had been added to the dances, hakas, hakaris, etc. On Wednesday afternoon it became known that two picnickers from Auckland, who were most lavish with their moiiey in "shouting," turned out to be policemen in disguise, and Constable Tapp, with his assistants, came with search warrants to visit several of the inhabitants, It is expected tn obtain three or four convictions, though seven persons are accused of sly grog-selling,-[Own Correspondent,]

It is pretty well known that Lady Scott, the wife of the great novelist, was not a very poetical character. On a certain occasion Sir Walter was taking u walk with her one fine spring morning when they passed a field where a number of lambs were frisking joyously round their mothers "Ah," exclaimed Sir Walter, " no wonder the poets from the earliest ages have made the lamb the emblem of peace and innocence!" "They are indeed delightful animals," replied his wife, " especially with mint-Buuce." The Stirling Observer recently reported the following equine mystery:—At Stirling Sheriff Court, the Sheriff, a couple of lawyers, and twenty-four witnesses were [ engaged five hours trying to unravel the mystery of whether a horse was three or four years old. One side swore by the teeth as an infallible guide on the point, whilst the other pinned its faith to the date of the foal's birth. Which side the Sheriff will pin his faith to remains to be seen, but the "hard swearing" iu the case will not make id any tto. easier for him to decide. The value of the horse in dispute was £30. In France the importation of frozen meab Irom dietantcountries has recently increased to a great extent. On account of the short time it can be kept when taken out of the refrigerators, and because many butchers hare been selling it as fresh meat, the Minister of Agriculture has prepared a law prohibiting the sale unless marked " frozen meat." The penalty for non-observance varies from £20" to £40 fine, and six to sixty days ■ imprisonment, the penalty being doubled on a second conviction. The best Medicine knows is Sander £!».?£! 3LVP " EXT *»CT.~Test its eminent powerful effects in couKhs. colds, influenza; the relief «instantaneous. In serious cases an,l accidents of mlSn. b -' !£ ey w . ounds - burns scalrtin ? s, bruises, I n V t " u ie safest remedy-no swelling, no i* ™2 mon u.u lke ""Prising effects produced in I croup, diphtheria, bronchitis, inflammation of the swellings, etc., diarrhoea, dysentery, diseases oi tne kidneys and urinary organs. In use at hospitals and medical clinics all over the riobepatronised by His Majesty the King of Italy crowned with medal and diploma at Intermtionai Inhibition, Amsterdam. Trust in this anproied article, and reject all others; Specify Sander and sons product, or else worthies* oili aiU fcf inn. pl«a. as experienced by ouihltm. *T4 " "* '