NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11275, 19 January 1900, Page 6

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

KAUKAPAKAPA. I' THE animal Bine Ribbon picnic tools placi j on January 11, at the homestead of Mr. Jno. Sinclair. This annual gathering has be. eome an established institution in the dii. trict, and is looked forward to as a redletter day by all the younger members of the community, as a day of boisterous merriment. Captain Dawson is at the helm, us well as commander of the Bluo Ribbon ship. On Thursday large numbers came pouring in from all directions, for miles, and by lunch time there must have been not less than 200, who sat down to an abundance of gooi things provided. Not only were thero plenty of good things to eat and drink, bnt there were numbers of very tempting prizes to he competed for by the young folks, who en> tered into the spirit of the games with nl! the joyousness and vigour of youth. A halt was made for tea about five o'clock. After that refreshment the committee and officer! for tho current year were e'eotcd, which election unanimously resulted in the return" of the old committee and officers. Cantaln Dawson wanted to shift his responsibility on to younger shoulders, but the meetint would not hear of it; he must stick to the ship until he dies. Games and frolics were resumed after tea, and continued until the sun touched the long, undulating fringe ol saniUijlls which form tho barrier of the great Pacific to the west, and. f<>r a brie? period, illuminating with his roseate hues, a fitting tableau of the dav's proceeding. But 'such a gathering of youth and beauty could not finally disperse without tripping! for an honr or two on the light fantastic, so those who felt inclined adiourned to tin Hall, and danced till twelve o'clock. Agrauhophone was on the ground, which formed an attractive feature for the young folks.—[Own Correspondent.] TE ARAL For the last few weeks, as in other districts, there has been a considerable amount or sickness here—influenza of a severe type. Krf family e?caped. In some houses three and four were laid up at one time with it. The , symptoms varied much. Manv had to stop in bed for several days. Old. mirldle-igedj and young, all alike suffered complete pros; tration, with heavy headache, pahu in limbs, and in most cases a racking cough. 1 Some have gone strongly into whisky as a remedy, and manv have not found it to benefit tho complaint. The oldest inhabitants in To Aral district do not recollect any , thins like it. In somo oases nats and grass seed could not be got cut, and more than ;ino lost their crops of danihoiiia and other seeds owing to the epidemic. After 14 years' mail-carrying, in storm and sunshine, from Te Arai to Wcllsford, Mr. Shepherd, has given that work up, and Mr. Barkley is now tho carrier for the coining three years for the Wellsford weekly trip. Mr. D. Bowmar is again contractor for the Mangawai and North Albertland midweek trin per s.s. Kawau. Since election time politics aro dull The new councillor for Hoteo riding has let some contracts for road work, and it is hoped that before tho Bummer is past the grant for improving tho road from Mangawni River to the post office will be expended either bv the Lands Donartment or the County Council, and a strong effort will be made to get a start with the erection of a bridgo across the Manpr.vai River, also another attempt for telephone communication. Late events here havo shown the need of a constable being stationed betwixt Manga wal, Port Albert, and Warkworth.-[omi Correspondent.] WAYBY. Mr. and Krs.lL Patterson issued a few invi. tations to their neighbours and friends to a party on December 29. to bo held in their house, and Quito a social evening was spent. Dancing was kept up till the wee sma' Hours of the morning. Messrs. W. and M. Wilson provided tho music, while 'Mr. A. E. Woodcock di'ieharircrt the duties of M.C. Mr. E. Patterson lost his two horses-at least, they disappeared ierv suddenly-* month ago, and no traces of them :re to lie found. H apnears that he let them loose in mi enclosed run on the Saturday night, and the following Monday morning they were missing. He has come to the conclusion the have been stolen; and I have been informed that a nativo named Clarck lost a horse about six months ago under very similai circumstances, and no trace has ever been found of it. We are experiencing very dry weather at present, and farmers are verv busy haymaking, grass seed cutting, and tlircshin?. n ater is getting very scarce, and bush fires seem to bo starting already -[Own CorreS' pondent.] PEEIA. HARVEST operations are in full swing aloii* tho valley. One of our settlers has had considerable damage done to his bush. etc.. owing to fires having been lighted al-ngside tlio road, and being driven through the dry fern, etc, right into tho bush. lie informs mo that he estimates the damage at £20. His house hac" a narrow escape. Captain Rogers has been seriouslv ill foi somo time past, consequently on a fall from a barn roof. However, I believe tho eentleman is now on tho mend.-fOwn Correspon dent,] , HOTEO NORTH. A FAHEWEU party was tendered to Hi?J Louisa Wilson on January 4, it. being the eve of her departure from tho district. About 3(1 invitations were Issued, and tlie visitors exceeded that number. Danring was kept up till two o'clock next morning. freshmer-.ts were provided bv Mrs. E. Wilson. Mr. C. Gray. ,iun., discharged the duties of M.C. while Messrs. 11. P. Manning, W. Wllson, and A. Wilson provided the iniisic[Wayby Correspondent.]