COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10429, 29 April 1897, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] BoiORDA, Wednesday. Six of the Maoris who were' fined some time ago for illegally netting trout in the Lake proceed to Auckland by to-day's train. They have elected to take the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment rather than pay the fine •na costs, amounting to over £2 each. Those residents interested in sport are considering the advisability of separating from the Auckland acclimatisation district, with the object of inducing the Town Board to administer affairs through the Board. All the fish iu the lake and sti earns, and nearly all the imported game here, have been introduced, and it is thought that matters might be much simplified in regard to lake fishing, etc., if regulated by those having local knowledge.

IBY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Faeroa, Wednesday. A number of petty thefts have been committed from time to time at the various goldfields' centres, and the other night a robbery was committed at Mrs, Brown's boardinghcuao at Karangahake. The sum of £7 was abstracted from a private cash box, together with several articles of jewellery. A sudden death occurred at Waikino (Owharoa) last night, a fdrl named Amelia McDonald, aged 14, having expired rather suddenly at a quarter to ten. An inquest was held this afternoon before Mr. Forrest, coroner. The mother of the child, Dr. Bnckley,aud Mrs. Tongue, gave evidence, after which the jury returned a verdict that death was caused by pneumonia, this being in accordance with medical testimony. The Roman Catholics of Ohinemuri are dieplayiuE energy in the erection of churches at various goldfields centres, places of worship having been constructed at each place with the exception of Waitekauri, and they all bear testimony to the zeal displayed in this matter by the Rev. Father Hackett. Waitekauri, however, in not to be excepted, as at a meeting of the Waitekauri Catholic Church Committeo, the Rev. Father Hackett presiding, offers of a site for a church were received from Mr. Hunter. Half an acre and the building thereon were offered at £95, or a quarter-acre and building at £85. It was decided after discussion to accept the first alternative. The new church at Karangahake is Hearing completion. MAUKU. The annnal soiree apd entertainment in connection with our Band of Hope meetings, was held at the Hall on Wednesday evening in Easter week, and was an unqualified success. The hon. sec, Mr. W. R. Wright, had taken much trouble toprovide an excellent tea and good programme, but the public did not respond to his efforts as they should have done. There was a must sumptuous tea, which was provided by the Band of Hope Committee, and the tables, five iu number, were kindly presided over by some of the Mauku choicest young darnels, who did their duty well, and they were kept busy for some time, The platform was nicely decorated, chrysanthemums making a great show. The Kev. E. C. Budd presided, and made a few suitable remarks on starting the programme, which was of a varied character, and was concluded by a farce (" The Newlymarried Couple"), and those connected with it did their parts very well. The moral of it was, Young wife, don't run your husband into debt. Before the piece began Mr. H. Crispe moved a hearty vote of thanks to the worthy secretary of the Band of Hope (Mr. W. Ravens Wright) ior the trouble he had taken in getting up the monthly meetings. The resolution was carried amidst great applause.—[Ova Correspondent.] PAKIRI. The sixth anniversary of the opening of the Pakiri Public Hall, took place on April 23, and was a great success. Tea was served on the tables at half-past five, and after the tables were cleared in preparation for the concert. Mr. A. Campbell occupied the chair. An excellent programme was then gone through in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. The singing of the national anthem brought the concert to a close. The hall was then cleared for dancing, which waa kept up with great vigour until daybreak. Mr. J. Salt acted as M.C. The Otamatea Native Braes Band supplied the mnsic, which was •ecellent.—[A Correspondent.]

MATAKOHE. The Hukatere and Tβ Kowbai half-time schools will be opened in a very short time. The teacher, Mr. Law, has arrived, and has begun to get the school ready for beginning work. Te Kowhai school wm formerly a Maori school, but now it haa been taken over by the Board of Education. On the 17th April, Mr. 0. E. Hugo delivered one of his interesting lectures on physiognomy in the Mgtakohe Hall. The attendance was very poor on account of the weather, but those who were there fully appreciated what he hid to any. _ For years Matakohe has been without that importaut factor, a Sunday-school. A few Sundays ago several ladies and gentlemen met to discuss the matter. The first Sunday about thirty children were present, and I hope it will always be as well attended,— [Own Correspondent.]

PAPAROA. At the last meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society Mr. Josiah Hamea read a paper on"Sin»leT»x." The essayist dealt with general principles, not having time to fully work out the details of the scheme. Judging from the criticism given it would »ppear that the propesal of single tax is but imperfectly understood, and it seems daring enough to takeaway one's breath, that is from a country freeholder's standpoint. The essayist received a vote of thanks.

A public meeting of those interested in the Tokatapu road was held on the 22nd April, Mr. Gerrand in the chair. This meeting was the outcome of another convened at Mr. Ariell'a, to consider the final settlement financially, when it was decided to deputationise the County Conuoil to assist by the payment of £10. This the Council declined to do, as the promoters of the scheme undertook to hand over the road with the compensation fully paid. The public meeting was therefore called, but no decision was arrived at. Two gentlemen, however, offered £1 each if the business was concluded within a week. [Own Correspondent],

MERCURY BAY. ?u , '& t !, lr , d T a Y, t . he 24 , th u conmi was held in the Mill Hall m aid of W. Lett, the jockey who met with an accident in the recent race meeting. He was more seriously hurt than was at first anticipated. On the 26th Mr. L. Molsaac was on the road to Kuaotunu, and while cantering at a eood rate his horse tell, throwing its rider heavily on the ground. Fortunately he escaped with a broken finger and a shaking Ihe horse had to be brought to the Bay to have his outs sewn up.-fOwn Correspondent.]

KAUKAPAKAPA. The entertainment in connection with the reopening of the Hall was an unqualified success, The siugers and others who entertained the people acted their parts with skill and great acceptance. The hat-trim-ming competition by gentlemen caused some diversion. Eight took part in it, and manipulated the gear in a fashion calculated to strike terror into the hearts of the "new woman. The chrysanthemums were lovely and were much admired by »U who like flowers. By the-aid of the proceeds from the entertainment the debt for lining will be reduced to £10 and by the end* of the hnancia year that amount will be reduced by nearly one half. The secretary, who by the way has given much time and worked hard in the interests of th» hall from the begmmng, thinks that if a call of four or five Shillings share would be acceptable to the shareholders, many things now advocated might be done, and the property improved in the way of paint. spoutin ß , tank, etc., and ,1 ?"W d te » ™«t«ble way in which the shareholders might recognise the efforts made by the committee to improve the hall. Mr. R. Urinnan has leased his store for a term of years to Mr. Shine, who is shortly to ta - " ° f T £ Mr ; I)rinnan h « the (food wishes of the people in whatever new work he may take up. Mr. C. Lewis, who has been s oreman for Mr. Drinnan for many years, is also leaving, the district. Many a Doorman will mi,, his kindly sympathy and his n*re tangible assistance. .The present section of the railway exten. sion northwards is now all but finished[Own Correspondent.]

WAIDKU. hTi .'f» Bbeen iB *•*«*» during thelast two or three wet ki with hi, traction engine.thre.hing machine, turf chaff-cutter, of the fine weather, ha. & h« B,inot da,nd night. Mr. rtrimfc! S™ greM »fof»«"on to the Irk 1 the Way he h » performed his worK. a Krea t quantity of chaff ia r»in» w\VMuku'« nearest approach to a railway iround for the new home. When completed, S l iy° mm » ndi ?* Position, the hotel <jre»t»et-offto the district. ■ ~ ; n « n Apr ' laot |?e annual soiree and concert XvTT ? ith Holy Trini 'y church t"k t7' u *• Tcmperauce and Public Hall p?ovfded v te T^ 1 "}- J hß **» *«• Jrl™ »y the ladies of the congregation, who had to prepare reUyi. Xh« Ren E. ft j

Bndd presided at the concert, and thiUTS?I gramme was very satisfactory, Th, J"* , formeri were nearly all Auckland talent «S — needless to say were highly appreciiu? Special mention should oe made oftk" • singing of Miss Aylett, Miss Bolton, and M*'^ Vs Garland, who had to respond to loud cores. Mr. Jones (organist of St. Auckland}, Mrs. Bird and MissTayl or A accompanists. The proceeds amount**! , ■& orer £12. The usual votes of thanhi!! passed.- Correspondent.] " ™$s TE ARAL On the 19th April (Easter Monday) a ,*,.,' gathering was held at the church,and* 8* fairly successful.. In the afternoon were held, consisting of hop step and «" high jump, vaulting with the pole anH?" , races also tilting for ladies and men r *1 for the children and younger folk, the $£* 1 of which were duly rewarded with v.ri " kinds of prizes-work-boxes, dolls, haS* tops, bridle bin, etc. One hundred »„?$£ : oneticketsfor tea were sold. Tea was nnS H by the committee. In the evening MrT*--" rand was voted to the chair. Missy MiLi *'■- andßrown,Mesßrs.Sim m ins,Jameß,Th2 H and JomiobUgtdbviingiDKi Messrs MS If lan, Abates, and Sinunuis gave recS* Mr- Brown a reading Yorkshire diZ 1 I and short speeches by the chairman Mil?' \? Brown, Benton, and Shepherd. The,??* 1 tainment concluded about nine nlTl company singing "God Save the Ohm I' I The amount taken was £7 9s, out of-?'! I expenses have to come, and which will 1«? something reasonable towards the linuM.r I of the debt incurred for the insuraS .| building, and legal formalities in annnininew trustees, etc. In years gone by P & | to have more of those pleasant gathJT • than we have had of late. If mows 8 ? : V meetings were held in this and somV«T places, it would be the mean, of mail" ' peoole better acquainted with one aiX 8 ; and each settler would know hi, eight ' -[Own Correspondent.] "'suuoun,

WAIPU. The annual meeting of subscribers tr> .v \ Waipu Library was held on ApS-j? ft very few subscribers were present. Mr A I M. McKay was re-elected president, but ft 1 was not, possible to get anyone to und ?t a k I the duties of secretary. A vote nf .1 i was .tendered to Miss A a\i *S retiring secretary and regret was eZ«Ld ; at her being unable to continue the duties™ account of absence from the district Th. secretary's report showed that 81 vokm" had been added to the children's lS during the year, for which thanks are main J due to Mr. Meikl ? for a liberal do«K towards the purchase of these books TV = treasurer's report showed the expenditure fo a f23 17s4Raud t heiucom, a, 1, ".™ 11 ."? Glance of cash in hand xi 4s OJd. Donations amounting to £13 had > been received towards purchasing » vm for the hall.—[Own Correspondent]

TURUA. The splendid weather of the past few wetkt has enabled ploughing to be pushed on with and draining and other necessary work to be done before the winter seta in. The Ohinemuri County Council's action it laying off a road from Netherron to Paetoa by way of Te Puke is looked upon with great satisfaction here, as we hope to have a toad opened to Netherton by next summer. At the meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society held on the 22nd April Mr. T L. Murray, of Auckland, read a very able and interesting paper on "Our Goldfielde." The paper treated of the past, prejent, and future; giving a geological outline of thr held, and what had been done, whit ii being done, and spoke most hopefully of the future of the miniug industry. Whili here Mr. Murray expressed his pleasure it the progress made by this district since hit last vieit, about 10 or 12 years ago. Very much sympathy is felt here for th« • sufferers by the flood at Hawke's Bay, and , subscription list has been opened to help. Some of our footpaths have recently had ; attention paid to them, but others are sadlj in netd of similar treatment. Since starting business here 20 years ago the Messrs. bagnall have displayed consider, able energy, and I hope their latest venture in establishing an Auckland brauch will be eminently successful.]— Own Correapon. dent.J

BROOKLYN. ; Skxviob was conducted in the schoolroom here on the 11th April, by Mr. A. Watsoo »nd Mr. Ferguson, who rode out from Ellerslie, accompanied by some young friends on bicycles. The schoolroom was very well filled, and the singing bright and hearty. Two sacred solos, " Will your Anchor hold'," and "Come Home," were sung by Mr. PerKuson and two other friends, and were much appreciated. Altogether, the service was so enjoyable that we would like to have another. The bright hopes that were entertained some time ago of finding coal in the district have, I am sorry to say, proved to be but castles in the air. It must have been a great disappointment to Mrs. Captain Symonds who went to much expense to have a thorough test made.

Our school attendance has been most satisfactory lately, owing no doubt to the fine weather we have teen having lately, for a number of the children have a long way to come, and a wet day nukes a considerable difference in our averages.-[Own Com* pondeot], HASTINGS. Dock-shooting has commenced. Then was a good moon. Those who selected i good pitch obtained fair bags. The birdi are nob at all plentiful, which is mainlj owing to the scarcity of rain and the mild season. The numerous swamps in the die-' trict are gradually getting drained, so in I few years' time it will be a hard matter k> get any duck-shooting about here. A number of prominent settlers are en route for England to be present ab the Queen's celebrations. Cycles are steadily on the increase. Nearly erery week sees some new votary to the wheel getting the proper balance. Th( fair sex are also devoting tlieic time to the art of pedalling. The native contingent team from Hawke'i Bay who will repreeenfc New Zealand at the Queen's celebrations, are eplendid oped mens of the Maori race. Captain R. T. Blake, of Hastings, who was responsible foi the selection, is to be hiehly complimented on the admirable choice he has made. The pioneer 'bus traffic botween Hasting* and Havelock established a short time einc« by Mr. W. A. Beecroft has rapidly grown. To keep pace with the present requir* ments, a larger 'bus of the most approved London type, drawn by three spanking horses, is now taking up the running, and it largely patronised. The trousseau of the bride of a popular local sheep farmer lately married wai specially imported from home, and cost in tlieneighbourbood of one thousand pounds: the Customs duty on which was somewhere about £150. This is only a triQind expense considering that the bride's dot il well up in five figures. " Snow-dropping," a local industry it thieves' parlance, is again becoming rife. Now that) the dark nights are settins iu, those who covet the contents of a well-filled clothes-line have ample opportunity ol getting safely away with the spoil, as recently a few local residents know to their cost.

; Mr. Robert Fraser, Presbyterian clergyman of Haveloek, who is en route for Scot land, was largely and deservedly esteemed by all classes of the community, and hi* departure from this district was a tnattei of the keenest regret by hie nuinerom friends. Mr. Fraser epent a number o! years in Queensland, and his health wai greatly impaired by that climate. It is t< be sincerely hoped that he may be eparM for many years yet, and tbat a comfortablt home will await him in Scotland where he will get a much-needed rest. A local terpeichorean artiste, who wislim to be up-to-date with her pupils, hat included in the season's programme th« Cobra de Capello dance (a la Ada Delroy). This means a big item for the dressmakers. It will also ensure the boards of tin Princus Theatre getting well dusted. The flawke'e Bay hounds had a flutte> cloee to the town last week. A drag hunt or chasing a smell is always a tame affair. At Omahi the encroachments of the Ngaruroa River is assuming alarming proportions. To the left of Mr. Broughton'j boose the river is gradually washing away acrei of country. From bank to bank the rivet it half a mile wide in some places, where Ims than twenty years ago it wae fifty yards. The miserable attempt made daring the list few years of protecting the banks by planting willows cannot have the slightest effect of protecting the banks 01 keeping the river in the proper channel. The willowi are planted under a perpendicular bank which affordi no bold to the trees, instead of being planted on a sloping bank. The local bowling club must be in a fairly financial position, as at a recent meeting of the dnk- it wae decided to extend their territory by obtaining anfadjoiniDg atrip e< iMI-lOwa Correspondent.)