NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11129, 31 July 1899, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[FKOII our own CORRESPONDENTS.] TE AWAMI'TU.

PREVIOUS to the sitting of tho Magistrate'.) Court on Wednesday. Captain Jackson, S.H., administered the customary oath to Mr. W. North, on his appointment us a Justice of the Peace. A boy named Verner was fined 5s and costs 7s, for throwing a stone and breaking an insulator on the telegraph line. Judgment was given for the Waipa County Council fot rates unpaid against several landowners. In tho judgment summons case, Lewis v. Alex. Campbell, claim £16 15s 9d, an order was made ti pay £1 per month, or in dofault one month's imprisonment. In another ca<=e. Lewis v. Weeks, judgment summons claim, ,£3 17s, an order to pay 10s per month was made, HAMILTON. There was a very narrow escape from a serious conflagration oil Friday evening. About seven o'clock a boy was passing Mr. Cox's drarer's shop, when lie noticed smoke issuing from the back of the premises. He speedily gave .lie alarm. This brought Messrs. Haselar, Smith, and Mover on the scene. By their united strength they succeeded in breaking down the back door, and speedily reached the site of an incipient firo which had just broken into flame. It was under a stick, the cause being some hot ashes in a wooden box. The flooring below was also burned through. Had the discovery been delayed many minutes nothing could have saved the block of buildings of which Mr. Cox's is the corner shop. The Waikato Mounted Rifles gave their annual ball on Friday evening in the Volunteer Hall. Tho hall was most tastefully decorated for the occasion with flags, overgreens, and arms arranged tastefully on the walls at intervals. About 70 couples at. tended. Excellent music was provided by Mr. Minim's hand.

There was a sitting of tho Magistrate's Court here on Friday. Messrs. J. Knox and W. Jones, justices, presided. There was only one case to be dealt with—Newcastle Road District v. W. McCutcheon, claim £1 7s 6d. for rates in arrear. Mr. Swnrbriek, for the defence, said that the amended statement of claim as filed by the plaintiffs' solicitor disclosed no claim upon which .judgment could be recorded. It was professedly a rate for two years, a legal absurdity and further, it was a demand for a rate due 14 days after July 20. He added that on such a claim the plaintiffs must be nonsuited. Mr. Dyer argued that tho case should be adjourned, or the claim amended. Tho plaintiffs wero nonsuited.

The return match between the Tamahcre Chess Club and the Hamilton Club's " It" team was played on Wednesday, and resulted in a win for Hamilton by 11 games to 7.

A meeting of those desirous of forming another orchestra for Hamilton was held on Thursday evening. From the interest shown by musicians in the movement, a very good orchestra should result. It was decided to call the combination the Hamilton Harmonic Society. Mr. J. Monro will act a3 conductor. Mr. Blackburn was elccted secretary, and Messrs. Harker, Jolly, and Going a committee. Ten instrumentalists have given in their names. COHOMANDEL. A complimentary concert was tendered to Mrs. J. Swindley on Friday evening. The attendance was fairly good. The programme contained some very choice items, including a spirited pianoforte duet by Mrs. Swindley and Miss Tattler: song, "Oil the Banks of Allan Water," Miss Helma Fraser. The piece of the evening was undoubtedly " The Maniac," sung by Mr. Hamilton Hodges. 11l response ta. an undeniable oncore. he gave Good-bye, Sweet Day." Later on, Mr. Hodges also sane " Margarita." Mr. C. R. O. Walker sang " The Vale by the Sea." Miss Randle gave a beautiful rendering of the song. " Tito Link Divine." The concert concluded with a duet, " Excelsior," by Miss Tattley and Mr. H. Hodges. NORTHERN WAIROA WESLRYAN CIRCUIT. THE quarterly meeting of the officers of the above circuit, which had been adjourned on account of the absence through illness of the Rev. S. J. Gibson, was held at the parsonage, Mount Wesley, on Wednesday. The Hot. S. J. Gibson presided, but was so unwell that he had to lie on his couch, and was evidently in such pain that it was with great difficulty ho managed to get through the meeting. There were present: Messrs. Barclay, S. Moore, W. Bayne, M. Harding, J. H. Spragg, 0. French, T. Nield, E. Patcliett (Kailiu home missionary), and J. Stall worthy. The church membership was stated at 125. The chairman introduced Mr. E. Patchett, the successor to Mr. G. Elliott, home missionary at Kaihu, and he was cordially welcomed by the meeting. The financial report for the quarter ended June 30 last showed an income of £95 19s for the quarter, and an expenditure of £82 3s Id The circuit fund deficit now stands at £24 lor 4d, and the general trust funds deficit at £34 17s sd. In addition to the above, an effort had been made during the quarter for the improvement of the Mangawharo Church, and a sum of over £10 raised for the purpose. The balancesheet of the Kaihu home mission station for a period of nine months to June 30 showed an income of £73 7s sd, and an expenditure of £73 4s lid, leaving a credit balance of 2s 6d. In addition to this a church had been erected and opened at Kailiu. This was considered to be very satisfactory. The thanks of the meeting were accorded to Mr. W. B. Stevens for his valuable assistance towards the special efforts of the quarter; also, to the Revs. W. J. and Horace Williams for their visits and labours in the district. It was resolved that the attention of the society stewards be called to the importance of making special effort to establish the system of regular quarterly contributions, as decided upon at last meeting. A certificate from Dr. Norton of the illhealth of the Rev. Mr. Gibson was placed before the meeting. It stated that an absolute rest of some months was required to restore health. The meeting expressed its ! sorrow and sympthy for their minister in his ' serious and continued illness, and directed i the circuit steward to immediately apply to I the president of the Conference for someone to supply Mr. Gibson's place for at least three months, and recommended Mr. Gibson to at once give up ail work in the circuit, and seek health in complete rest of body and mind.