COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10418, 16 April 1897, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hamilton, Thursday. The Hamilton Borough Council met on Tuesday night, when there were present: Messrs. W. Dey (Mayor), Bettley, Crawford, Gwyune, Jones, Maudes, Salmon, Siade, Tristram, and Tippin. A lengthy discussion 1 took place re the closing of the piece of land at the corner of Grantham and Victoria Streets for a site for the proposed new library. Some of the councillors thought that before steps were taken to close the ground, it would be better to wait and see whether the Library Committee were going to carry out their part of the agreement. At a meeting of the Domain Board held subsequently, Mr. Hi trick's tender of £2 2s was accepted for the LaKe Reserve lor one year. Walter Hope, sou of Mr. E. L. Hope, Hamilton East, met with a painful accident yesterday. He was working at the blacksmith's anvil, in Mr. T. Slade's shop, wheu a splinter of iron struck him close to the eye, inflicting a severe wound. The injuries were attended to by Dr. Brewis. The Rev. J.J. Mather and family leave Waikato this morning for Ashburton, where they expect to arrive on Wednesday next. The Rev. Dr. Hosking, Mr. Mather's successor, arrived in Hamilton yesterday, and will preach at Trinity Wesleyan Church on Sunday next for the first time. Karamd, Thursday. The completion of the bridge over Stony Creek, near Mr. Zolfel's, has supplied a long felt want in the district. The bridge, which is a most subttantial one, being built of totara and riinu, has just been completed by Mr. Sutherland. The cost was between £60 and £70.

Ohaui'O, Thursday. Messrs. McNicol and Co. held a successful sale here on Tuesday. About 350 head were yarded. Prices still keep low for all classes of cattle except dairy cows, which reached fair prices. About 900 sheep were offered. Lambs brought from 4s to as. After a good spell of fine weather rain has again set in, and appearances indicate that we are going to have a wet Easter. Rotorda, Thursday. Hurua Analia, son of Araha te Ralmi, one of the most expert carvers in wood in this district, and Rakau, better known here as " Charley Woods," have been selected to join the native contingent to England. A numerously-signed petition has been forwarded to the Minister of Railways, asking that such a re-arrangement of the time-table

should be made as to permit of the Auckland train arriving here during the winter months not later than 7 p.m., instead of 9 or 9.30 p.m., as was the case last year. The concession is asked for in the interests of invalids, whose number during the winter is fast increasing. Coromandkl, Thursday. The ordinary monthly meeting of the council was held on Monday. Present: Messrs. McFarlaue (chairman), Meikle, Richards, Augall, Oatland, aud Gow. The Public Works Department wrote regretting that they could not instruct Mr. Reynolds, C.E., to report on a water supply for Ooromaudel. The sum of £10 was voted to the Kuaotunu and Mercury Bay Library. The appointment of Mr. James Carnell as oonniy returning officer was rescinded. Mr. T. W. Rhodes was appointed returning officer at the extraordinary election of a member to fill the place of the late Mr. J. D. Colebrook. &\r. Gow was appointed to represent the council on the Thames and Coromandel Charitable Aid Board in place of Mr. Colebrook. Mr. Gow proposed, and Mr. Richards seconded, a resolution which was carried unamously, "That a letter of condolence be sent to Mr. Colebrook aud family." Both the mover and seconder spoke feelingly of their late fellow councillor. The chairman also referred to the late Mr. Colebrook's long service aud warm interest in public affairs, whilst as a citizen (he said) he was ever willing to develop the resources of the goldfields. His name was indelibly associated with the history of Coromaudel. A large number of applications for tracks and roads to mines were received and dealt with. The chairman said that if the gold revenue continued to fall as it was now doing they would have to go in for retrenchment. Captain Richards said some of the Coromaudel County gold was sold at the Thames, and he doubted whether it was notified as to what county it was from. The Ada Delroy Compauy gave an entertainment on Tuesday night. The Oddfellows held a social on Tuesday, when the various trophies won at the late sports were presented. The forthcoming demonstration and sports carnival for the benefit of the proposed new hospital promises to be a great success. At a meeting of the Coromandel Harbour Board, it was decided that the sum of £12 be claimed from the Akaroa S.S. Company for damage to wharf. Captain Hodge wrote protesting against charges made on goods landed by the Hauraki Company on their own wharf. The wharf had cost the company £2000. Since then £300 had been spent in repairs, and he suggested reduction in dues until the £2000 was repaid. It was resolved that no concession could be made, and that the by-laws be enforced. NUHAKA NORTH. A contract has been let by the County Council for the formation of 52 chains of dray road, between the Hot Spring Creek and the Tunanui River, at the cost of £69, which sum is to be charged to the accrued " thirds" account. The county overseer has been instructed to lay off about three miles of dray road in the sections, running from the termination of the above contract, at the river, towards Cook County boundary. For this work the Council has on hand £300 from the Government grant of £400, which is supposed to be now available. When these works are completed there will be only about three miles of this road unformed in the Wairoa County, and it is to be hoped the Government will see its way to place a further sum on the estimates next session for the completion of the road. Of course there is a few miles of this road running through the Cook County still unformed, but to judge by the energetic way the Gißborne people are taking the matter up, this part of the road will, no doubt, be finished in advance of the Wairoa portion. The building trade is a little brisk here just now. The lessee of the Hot Spring reserve has, after many vexatious delays, begun the erection of the firsf'part of the accommodation house, and has up the frame of the first seven rooms, which he expects to have open in time for the Easter holiday. Besides this, Mr. Wm. Tait has another set of carpenters at work putting up a neat dwel-ling-house on his farm at Morere, while another farmer, Mr, W. J. Robinson, is having timber cat for a house which he is Erecting on his property next spring. During the post year Messrs. Anderson Bros, and Messrs. Black Bros. haTe erected dwellings which have added much to the value of their properties. A meeting of settlers, which was to have taken place on February 13, did not eventuate, owing to the wet weather, but it is intended to call a meeting together sometime about the middle of April, for the purpose of forming a settlers' association, and transacting other business, A bathing shed has recently been erected at the springs, and is fitted up with .the ordinary requisites of a bath-room.' There is one large bath, which would hold about 500 gallons when full. A continuous stream of hot water is laid on to the bath from the rock alongside, thus assuring a complete change of water. It has been estimated that from one spring alone enough water could be got for 700 baths daily, allow 200 gallons for each person. '/'.':■':■--:■■■ , ■■ ':■■■■, - : - So far the Minister of Justice has taken no'notice of the request of the settlers for the appointment of a Justice of the Peace «c : lint district. ; Next time the. settlers

make an attempt in this direction they would do well to see that the gentleman they normDate is of the right colour, otherwise they may have their trouble for nothing.-{Own Correspondent.] MATAKOHE. A HARVEST thanksgiving service was held here in the little chapel on March 28. The interior of the building was most tastefully decorated with the spoils of harvest by the members of the Church of England. Our resident minister preached an eloquent and impressive sermon appropriate totheoccaThe three years of the Rev. Mr. Rothwell's ministry among us have expired. He has gained the esteem of all around, and will be greatly missed by the members of his congregation. In order to wish him and Mrs. Rothwell good-bye, a soiree was held in the Public Hall on the 3rd inst. A good programme was presented, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, interspersed with recitations and speeches. Mr. Pheasant fulfilled the duties of chairman in an able manner. The following ladies and gentlemen kindly assisted Mesdames flames and Davidson, Misse3 Hook, Cooksey, Gallie, L. Gallie, A. Davidson, F. Doonan, Messrs. W. Hook, Rimmer, R. Smith, J. Ovens, aud Logan. Mrs. Pheasant, and several other ladies, deserve great credit for the excellent supper provided.—[Own Correspondent.! WAIUKU. On the evening of April 5, a social took place in the Temperance and Public Hall, the occasion being a farewell to Mr. and Mrs. George Hedge, who are taking their departure for Coromandel to enter into business. There were between twenty and thirty couples present. During the evening Mr. A. M. Barriball briefly referred to the high esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. Hedge are held in the district, expressing regret at their departure, and on behalf of the members of the social wished them every success in their new home. Mr. Hedge feelingly responded, thanking his friends for their kind wishes. Mr. and Mrs. Hedge have resided here since childhood, and their familiar faces will be greatly missed. Refreshments were provided by the ladies, and dancing kept up with spirit till after midnight, the assembly breaking up by joining in singing " Auld Lang Syne." At Messrs. Bnckland and Sons' monthly sale held on the 3rd April, the muster of cattle was not quite so large as usual, bat those brought forward, with few exceptions, sold at satisfactory prices. Cows, close to their profit, brought as high as £6. Pigs sold well.—[Own Correspondent.] HUIA. At the monthly Band of Hope meeting, held on Saturday last, there was a good attendance. An excellent programme was gone through, with the assistance of visitors from Cornwailis and Auckland. After the finish of the programme, the annual election of officers took place, when the following were unanimously elected: — President, Mrs. Turner; vice-presidents, Misses Higliara and Barr; secretary, Mr. Graham j committee, Mrs, Hood, Misses Storey, Bryan, Messrs. T. Higham, W. Kilgore, and C. Baker. The Huia mill has at last been sold, Mr. C. Cowen being the purchaser of one half, and the Onehunga Iron Works, the remainder. On Tuesday last, the s.s. Kanieri conveyed Mr. Cowen's purchase to the Heads, en route for the Waitakarei district, where he intends to re-erect it. lam glad, however, to notice that the timber industry is not extinguished by the removal of the mill, as Mr. T. Barr has made arrangements with Mr. Murdoch for the right to remove the kauri from the property known as White's, and Mr. Barr, with a gang of men, are now busy felling the trees. Service was held last Sunday by the Rev, E. M. Cowie, when a larger congregation than usual was present. Mr, Cowie dispensed with evening service on account of the bad roads and the absence of moonlight, but officiated in the afternoon instead. I am glad to notice that we are likely to welcome a new settler to the Huia, as Mr, Currie, the owner of the cutter Betsy, has purchased 100 acres of land in the Huia Bay, from the Assets Company. Mr. Currie is to be congratulated on his purchase, as it contains some very fertile spots, and also some large tea-tree.— [Own Correspondent.] TRYPHENA. We are having nice weather again after the very peculiar February and March rainy and windy uncertain weather, somedays of which reminded us of the ordinary midwinter days, and which ended with a thunderstorm of unusual violence. I notice that other correspondents have the same complaint to make re knowledge of when the shooting season begins. It seems as if the Acclimatisation Society could not let us have this information in time. I believe that many are shooting pigeons since the first of April under the impression that they have the right to do so. At present neither local constable nor ranger can answer any questions re opening day. This is not as it ought to be.

A large number of Barrier young men have found employment with the mines, three of which may be termed mines with a future before them, though others will no doubt be proved as good. In connection with the mines, a rood is now in process of construction from Blind Bay beginning at Mr. Werner's to VVaugaparapara Harbour, going round by the back of the White Cliffs passing close to the loua anil other mines. It is probable that this may be extended from Mr. Werner's to Mr. B. Sanderson's bay.

A petition is going round against the granting of a license for an hotel in Bliud Bay. Another petition in favour of one went around some time ago, but few of us saw it. Many of us think that as soon as the mines are a settled fact, good houses of accommodation will spring up, and the present difficulty of finding enough accommodation for travellers will vanish. With good food and sleeping accommodation provided at a fair charge, there should be no need to sell spirits, etc., to eke out a living. A good many objected to sign against a license being granted, because without a license no house could pay its way. This is acknowledging that the man who does not drink pays less than he ought to do, and per contra—the drinker helps to pay for what he himself does not get. A great many of the miners do not wish to see one established.— Correspondent.]

HOKIANGA. One of the most brilliant and successful social gatherings ever held in this district, took place in the Rawene Hall on the 2nd inst. The occasion was the first annual celebration of the establishment of the Loyal Hokianga Lodge, No. 7380, Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. Invitations were issued far and wide, and about one hundred and fifty responded heartily. The hall was most tastefully decorated with bunting and evergreens. The members of the Lodge mustered strongly in regalia, and marched through the township into the hall to the strains of music supplied by the Waimamaku Brass Band, which had been engaged for the occasion. Brother T. L. Millar, the oldest Oddfellow present, congratulated the lodge on the success they had achieved during the first year of its existence. The evening was passed by those present most enjoyably in dancing, singing, and other amusements. At midnight refreshments were handed round, and before daucing resumed, the members of the lodge assembled on the spacious stage, when the N.G., Mr. Robert R. Menzies, cordially thanked all present for the assistance they had given in making the first annual social such an unqualified success. Songs were rendered during the evening by Mrs. Bagot Birch, Mrs. Harry Dickerson, Miss Nellie Bryers, Miss Kitty Martin, Miss Marriner, and Dr. De CliveLowe and his boy Johnny. Dr. Lowe, amongst his other accomplishments, is an excellent ventriloquist, and he and Johnny kept the audience in roars of laughter for a considerable time by his funnyisms. The Hokianga Lodge of Oddfellows deserve the thanks of the whole community tor their plnek and enterprise in obtaining the services of such an efficient medical officer, whom they engaged specially in Edinburgh as lodge surgeon, and so far we have to congratulate the Lodge on the selection made. Miss Bryers and Mr. Sydney Bryers kindly played the accompaniments in a most efficient manner.-[OwnCorrespondent.!

WHANANAKI. Odk football club are again in evidence. Practice is being resumed in anticipation of vanquishing some of their rivals during the season. The Rev. Mr. Hawkes held a service in our schoolroom last Sunday morning. The attendance was large, and the collection good. , The , Domain Board failed in its effort to lease for 21 years our domain. No application for the same came in within the stated period. One tender has come to hand since, and will be considered at the Board's next meeting. It would much improve the appearance of the place were the land Kneed and cultivated. Driver and Palmer have completed their contract for falling, etc., two hundred and some odd thousand feet of timber, the balance logs are being prepared ready for rafting and towing to Auckland.-fOwn Correspondent.! m. ....