NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11371, 14 May 1900, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[FROM OrR OWN correspondents.] HAMILTON.

The Hamilton Borough Council met on Friday evening. Present; His Worship the Mayor (Mr. 0. Edgocnmbo), Messrs. Sandcs, Salmon, Tippin. Bright. Slade. Dyer. Young, and Davis. The manager of tho Auckland Pavings Bank wrote that the bank would not agrco to lend tho borough money at 4 ner cent., but would do so at 5 per cent. The consideration of the matter was deferred. Dr. Brewis wrote offering to plant a portion of Garden Placo with ornamental trees if tho Council would allow him to erect a fence to protect them. Permission granted. A statement was presented showing that £131 was owing to the Council for rents. Tho clerk was instructed to sue for all rents more than 12 months overdue. The clerk read a statement showing that, the bank overdraft at date amounted to £900.

KAGTjAN. NEVER, perhaps, before has thoro been such an abundant crop of grass at this time of tho year, tho rain, in conjunction with warm days and nights, being the canse. The potatoes aro now all liftod. but early expectations as to erons bavo not heen realised. Turnips are looking well, and in many places fit to turn the cattle upon. Tho crop of onions is less than in former vears.

Mr. Omiradi. with his family, left for Ngaruawahia, on Wednesday. On Monday evening ho was entertained at a farewell dinner by a number of his friends. Ho and his fa mil carry with them tho good wishes of tho settlers.

PANMUBE. A CONCERT in connection with St. Matthias' Church, was held in the Public Hall on Friday last. It was a joint effort of local talent with that of some friends from Auckland, who kindly gave their assistance, and contributed greatly to the success of tho whole. The following items were given:— solo, "Dance Noera." Miss Searcbfiold: songs. "Scarlet and Blue." Mr. Double; "Star of Bethlehem." Mrs. Adlington; duet, " The Pilot Brave." Messrs. Hodson and Heard: "True till Death." Mr. Double; "We'd Bettor Bide a Wee " Miss Bonskill: " Bed. White, and Blue," Mr. Heard; "The British Lion," Mr. A. Roper; "Simon the Cellarer," Mr. Stevens; " The Flag Hornpipe." danced by Miss Dottie Loomb, was vevv beautiful, and much admired. A piano dnet, " Qui Vive " was given by Mesdames Loomb and May. Messrs. Hodson. Double, and Heard sang "The Village Chorister." the voices blending well together. Then followed. " Dolly's Revenge," Mrs. Purchas. Master S. Bogers, supported by four youths, all in khaki uniform, sang "The «' diers of the Ouccn." the chorus being given by all the nartv oii the march. Mr. A. Boner recited "Mrs. Smith Jones' party." "To tho Woods" was snug bv Mrs Adlington: and "Break the News to Mother." by Mr. 8. Green. A. hearty vote of thanks to those asisting was carried by acclamation, and singing the National Anthem concluded this part of tho entertainment, Tho hall was then cleared for dancing, during a pause in which refreshments, provided by the ladies, were handed round. Notwithstanding the threatening weather, upwards of 200 were present, and a very enjoyable ovening was spent.

CAMBRIDGE.

TUB Rev. W-. Ready delivered a lecture, ontitled '.' From London Streets to the Pulpit," in the Oddfellows' Hall, Cambridge, on Thurs-

day evening. -The. hall was packed to its utmost capacity, the lecturer maintaining the interest of his audience for two hours and aquarter. i ; . ■ ... . . ; ~" : '-"{'.• ..<-, ,«■•.,»

< »' , . TE ARAL , ; MB. WHi'tehouse, with his theatrophone and other paraphernalia of wonders, gave his entertainment in the school here on April 28, and we hope he will include us in his next year's programme. ■■~i.*. The sportsmen have let us know that the Ist May is here, by the cracks of their guns all round. Birds are plentiful, but a little wild.

War news is now only of secondary importance. The first inquiry is about the plague, and all Hope It will be kept out of Auckland. Whilo inspectors and health boards are rummaging the city, the country is left to take care of itself in a happy-go-lucky sort of way. When all vessels are so closely examined in Auckland, should not some precautions be taken in the country, more so where the principal communication is by sea. The storehouses on most of the wharves are pretty well affected with rats, and a few packets of poisoned food should be supplied to the local bodies or local constables to get rid of the rodents.

VICTORIA VALLEY. THE South African War is the only subject that is considered worth talking about. Now that patriotism and military feeling runs high throughout the colony, I think, as a military man. that it is the duty of the Government to prepare for future emergencies by giving every male individual from 16 to 50 chances to learn how to use a rifle. I myself am prepared to give a 600 yds range, and I am ready to aid and assist the movement with all my might. There is plenty of rifles to be obtained from the Imperial Government for such patriotic purpose, and if ever there bo any necessity to use them the men would bo ready, and I am certain that they would make their mark. I could get 75 men in one week, now that their martial spirit is up. Now, all that would be required from the Government would be a rifle with a sufficient supply of ammunition, care being taken that it was not wasted. I am positive that good marksmen would bo the result in 12 months. The best way to maintain peace is to be always ready for war. I mav also add that all the people hero are tioliehted with the performance of the New Zealand Contingents at the front, and I am sure that there is 10,000 men as good still left in New Zealand, who, if they were trained, would do just as good service.

AWANUI NORTH. THE Very Rev. A. Lightheart, of Wliangaroa, paid a visit to Waipapakauri on April 29. and celebrated mass in an upper room of Mr. P. Sulenta's store, which, for the timo being, was converted into a chapel, with altar, etc., neatly r.nd well arranged. About 70 persons, mainly Austrians and natives, with a few English Catholics, were present. Groat disappointment was felt and shown at the nonappearance of the Ahipara part of tho worshippers, for whom tho service was kept back for more than an hour. I understand that Father Lightheart will include Mr. Sulenta's place in his itinerary, ministering once a month to the Catholics in this district. Ho consecrated the grave of an Austrian, who died at Ahipara last year, and expressed satisfaction on seeing what care had been taken of it by the countrymen of tho poor boy who died so far from his home.

Mr. Pollas has commenced business as a shoemaker near Mr. Sulenta's store. Ho and his wife had the misfortune to lose by death their infant son a few days ago. The body was laid away on tho hillside, and the lonely gravo was blessed by the Rev. Father Lightheart.

Several married couples with children have lately settled at Wamsnakauri. and it is honed that their proximity to Panarori will help the people there to get their proposed school, for which thev have applied so persistently and waited for so long.

ARAPOHUE. THE vicinity of the Mititai wharf has of tato presented tho appearance of a small timberyard. Building has been the order of the day. Mr. P. Jones is enlarging and renovating his house. Mr. Rills is pulling down the old portion of his dwelling, and adding new rooms. Mr. W. T. Smith has a team of bullocks hauling material for his new house. Mr. 8. Bradley and Sons havo started the erection of a largo residence near Pukeatua. The poorer dry scrub land is now in favour for residence sites. Peonle get sick of the mud in winter on the rich hush lands.

Favoured by the snlendid weather, the road contractors are making excellent progress with their metalling contracts. The Government grants are a great boon to country districts, not only in improving our roads, hut also in affording employment at good wages to many.

PAPAROA. THE subject for the evening at the last meeting of the Mutual Improvement Association was a debate on " Shall New Zealand Federate with Australia?" Mr. R. Haines took the affirmative, and Mr. N. Winter the negative. The Rev. F. T. Read presided, and the attendance was small, considering the importance of the subject. Resides the openers, five other gentlemen spoke. There was much said, and said well on both side": but the voto taken at the close was all but ono in favour of federation.

The Rev. T. Evershcd (Anglican) paid us a, visit, and preached at St. Mark's, basing his remarks on Luke xxiv. 35. i The Rev. F. T. Read spoke last Sunday evening on ".A Choice Young Man;" the subject being Saul the son of Kish.

A very favourable, I might say flattering, report of the State school in charge of Mr. V. A. Winter, R.A.. was received from Mr. Dickenson, who recently inspected the schools hereabouts.

Mr. A. A. Wbitehouse, the first to introduce Edison's wonderful inventions to this part of the country, gave an entertainment here on the 3rd inst. Tho theatrophone is capable of reproducing songs, etc.. as lond as the original ones. He had a full liouso.

POLLOK. THE game season opened here with desultory shooting from a number of our local gun experts. Game is not over plentiful in our district, with the exception of Californiah quail, whioh are very numerous.

KAIPARA PLATS. THE opening of the season for shooting imported game was marked bv littlo excitement, the result largely of unpropitious weather. Birds are shy. and more scarce than usual. Many shootists think the past season ha's been unfavourable for the voting broods, and there is no doubt that the hawks kill a number of young birds, as it is a common occurrence to find the remains of birds destroyed by tin's means. The native same is year by year decreasing, but this is inevitable, unless conservation of their particular haunts were practicable on a large scale. The approaching public gathering of the friends and supporters rf the settlers coastal boat, the s.s. Kapamii, is to eventuate on the 25th inst. Preparations are in progress to make this annual gathering a most successful function, and a red-letter day in tho annals of the progress of the extensive (listricts interested.

MATAKOHE. A TEA meeting and concert, was held in the Matakohe Hall on the 20th April, for the benefit of the Anglican Church. The inclemency of the weather during tho dav rather east a gloom over the ladies who had provided for the animal wants of the visitors However, tho smiles returned to their faces when the hall gradually filled, and ample justice was dono to the tea. The musical nart of the proceedings was presided over bv Mr. Metcalfe, who presented a short hnt varied programme, consisting of solos by Mesdames Garrett and R. Smith, Messrs. W. Hare and G. Coates, Masters Garrett and H. Metcalfeinstrumental trio, Mrs, R. Smith (piano). Miss Hare and Mr. W. Hare (violins); instrumental duet. Misses Jeannie and C. flooksey; recitations, by Messrs. Camnbell and Winter Thanks are dne to those vißitora who. despite tho vicissitudes of the weather, boldly ventured forth in order to contribute to the fund of the ovening's entertainment.