NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11533, 19 November 1900, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[rmiTora own CORRESPONDENTS.] WAIXGAKO. Ox Saturday Mr. .T. K. McDonald. J.P., went to V.'aimai for the purpose of swearing m 14 members of tlie Wuiugaro Mounted Volunteers. lIUN'TLY. Miss TROUGHEAR fell oft her bike while cycling, tha other evening, and sustained some injury to her left arm. A native meeting has been arranged to take place at, Wanhi. early in December next, when some of the recently-enacted native measures will be tallied over. There has been a shortage of trucks here lately, and the miners havo had to work short — time pending the supply of the needed railway carriage. The Hnntly railway service sadly requires to be brought up to date. More rails want laying on the terminus way and sidings, and other aids to freignt-haul-a: - want prompt attention. he Hnntly School Flag Committee carryforward the balance left over, towards procuring scientific apparatus and a harmonium for the use of the school. The settlers at Tangiwaha, Waerenga, are trying to get a school, which is much needed in their district. Mr. R. Storey, of Matnhnrn, has acquired ■the homestead portion of 'the Tangiwaha Estate, and will reside there shortly. Mr. G. Harrison has managed to get the mine engine nearly to the shaft at the Harrison mine. By the recent prospecting and boring, the outlook for coal upon the ground anpears very good. A. tramway has been made to the shaft. Mr. Harrison is overseeing the work, which. is being pushod forward. WAIUKU. ON Friday (Prince of Wales' Birthday) the Auckland Oddfellows A.C. arranged for an excursion trip by the s.s. Weka to pay a visit to the members of the Star of Waiuku Lodge. The steamer arrived a little before noon with about 60 excursionists, mostly Oddfellows an;l their friends, and were welcomed by members of the Waiuku Lodge, the Waiuku Brass Hand being also in, attendance. After the party, which was equally divided between the Kentish Hotel and the Temperance House, had partaken of luncheon, an adjournment was trade to Mr. A. Barriball's paddock, whero various games wcro indulged in, including v. one-innings cricket match between the visitors and Waiuku. the former being captained by Brother Fronde and the latter by Brother A. M. Bnrriball. The game resulted: Auckland, 65 runs; Waiuku. 130. The afternoon was enlivened by the brass band, which contributed greatly to the enjoyment. In the evening a concert was Given in the Temperance and Public Hal) by the District Harmony Club, the building being filled. The first part of the programme consisted of a minstrel entertainment. which was amusing. The second part consisted of songs, dances, a whistling solo; tha feature of the evening being solos on the flute, glassophmie, sleigh bells, etc., and a practical illustration of the simplicity of landscape painting by Brother Garratt, which was greatly appreciated. The patriotic dance, " Tommy Atkins," by the Mioses Fell, was also loudlv encored. The performance was brought to a close by the singing of " Auld Lang Syne" and " God Save the Queen." The steamer left a little before midnight amidst ringing cheers, the visitors having expressed themselves delighted with their day's outing.

PUXEKOHE WEST. A VERY enjoyable social gathering took place in the Masonic Hall on November 2, under he auspices of the local cricket clnb. The night was fine, with a good moon, and about 40 couples were present. The hall was decorated very nicely, the floor in tip-top order for dancing, and the music supplied was by our local string band. Messrs. Semadeni and Davys carried out in a very able manner the duties of M.C.'s, and the programme consisted of dance?, songs, etc., and was carried out in a very efficient manner Those contributing solos were: Air Da vies, Miss Robertson, Mr. Semadcni. and Miss I'iggott, the latter young lady Slaving a oicc. clear voice, but bad enunciation. After some d;ireins? and sinking, a pleasing duty was performed by Mr. Wm. Eoulston, president of the cricket club, in presenting "to the members of the club their new hat 3. For the best batting average Mr. Eyre, of BucUland. was presented with a new bat and silver-plated butter cooler, given by Mr. Davys, and Mr. Harry Lodge received for the best bowling average a gold medal, given by Mr. Semadeai. and after the presentations a good supper was partaken of, the catering being carried out by oin old friend, Stanley, who is second to none for this work. After, a time dancing was again resumed, and kent up with vigour till between one and two o'clock, when a general retirement took place for home.

Our friends of the Band oi Hope held their monthly meeting in the Masonic Hall on November ' (Guy Fawke3' Night). A Rood and liberal programme was provided by the committee and earned out in a very efficient manner by our young people. There is some talk of moving the Protestant Hall, which is Borne distance away from the township, to a more central position, to he used as a public library and reading-room. "With this object in view, the trustees of the hall, viz., Mossrs. Hewlett and Wright. met last week, and decided to allow the Library Committee to remove the hall on to the library site, providing that the site, with the building, is vested in the hall trustees, to hold ia trust for the people of this place. A. week or two since. I am sorry to record, our old friend and spiritual adviser. Father O'llearnc, met with an accident while on his way to Makclit to conduct service. He is progressing favourably.

POKENO. . A VERY successful concert was held in tho Public Hall on November 7. Eight pounds were taken at the doors, which will be devoted towards the purchase of a flagstaff for tho school. Another concert bv the schoolchildren. themselves will take place before Christmas, when it is hoped sufficient inoney will be raised for the purpose stated. On the present occasion many of the performers kindly cam. from a long distance. The following ladies and gentlemen successfully rendered the programme: Mrs. Lippiatt, Misses K. Pflndergra-t., J. Dean. B. Clark, L. Bree, flattery. Elliott, ,T. Chiplin, J. Muir. C. Dean. Madill. Flochtori. and Messrs. Morgan, J. Richardson, A. ptewart, D. Doan. R. Pendergrnst. Biggs. Hyde, Pyne, Stevens, and M. Sheffield. Mr. Elliott kindly gave some selections on the phonograph at intervals. Tho nigljt was brilliantly fine, and the hall was comfort-ably filled. Hie concert was closed with " God Pave the Queen. Spring seems to have fairlv set in, and tho change in the weather is most welcomeTho school in this district was examined liv the headmaster on November 1, for standard cortificntos. up to and including Standard V. On November 5 the school was examined by Inspector Crowe. In all 60 children were presented. Full returns have not yet been received from the inspector, but it is believed that only six failed to pass, which is equal to 35 per cent, of nasse3 in tho six standards, exclusive of primers and clacs one. This is very, good, and reflects great credit on the headmaster. Mr. Eippiatt. ami the pnpilteneher, Miss Shanahan. * A few bonfires were lighted on the fifth, nnt not very much notice is taken of Guy Fawfce s Day now, especially among the elder portion of tho community.

maungaturoto. - - entertainment was held in the Pttblic Hall on tho 2nd inst.,- the object of the gathering being to add to the funds of ii ® -SIS 8 £ . department in connection with trie Pastoral, Agricultural, and Industrial Association, and £7 2s 6d was the amount taken. The Ladies' Committee got up the programme, and judging from the hearty applause given throughout by the audience of about 200 it was apparently highly appreciated, although general regret was expressed that through a slight buggy accident in tho Gorge several popular singers from JVaipa were unable to be present. Tho programme consisted of pianoforte dnets by • Mrs. D. C. Snelling and Miss A. Snelling, and solos were tastefully sung by Mis# Skelton and Kiss F. M. femitn; also songs were rendered" by Dr. Mountains and Her. O. W. Dent in their own perfectly inimitable way. For nearly every item an encore was vociferously demanded and was gracefully complied with. The socor.d part was principally composed of an excellent, laughable farce, entitled " Chiselling," the characters being ably sustained by Mr. W. Rowcll, as Larkspur, tho aspiring sculptor; Mr. Perkins, as Trotter, his obliging model; Miss A. Massey, as Mrs. Piper, tho landlady; Mr. T. A. Huband, as Stonehurst. the art critic; and. Mrs. A. Curtis, as Miss Norton, tho wealthy niece Thanks are due to all who took part in it. Tho singing of " God Save tho Quean" concluded the programme, and dancing was then indulged in. WAINUI. A MEETING was held in the Wainui Church on November 7. Its object was to try to form a Mutual Improvement Society. A fair representation of the district attended. it was proposed and carried, " That a society bo formed, tho meetings to be held once a month." A number of debatable subjects wero then selected to be discussed at future meetings. On Monday, the sth. a travelling troupe visited the district and performed before a full house, the schoolroom being packed to tho doors. OMAHA. MR. DAVID mRUOCH ia building a, large three-masted scow to tho order of Messrs. Donald and Edchbbroiigh. Hie keelson and masts wero hauled out of the bwsh a few weeks ago and are splendid spars. The mainmast is 70ft long. The vessel is expected to carry about 150 tons. HUNUA. THE settlers have had a coal meeting, called by an engineer from Auckland, and as it is well known there is a large bed of coal deposited in the ttnntta basin, which cart be delivered vers cheaply into the Wairoa, River, tho undertaking Is in a fair way of making solid progress. Our school has been inspected bv Mr. Petrie. M.A., chief inspector, and of 43 presented only four failed; Mr. Petrie says the passes aro satisfactory, the discipline and manners good. The above must be very satisfactory to the scholars, as also complimentary and encouraging to our head teacher, Mr. Jamison, and Miss Worrall, pupilteacher, and will no doubt give tliotn renowed energy for tho future, having- tho satisfaction of knowing that their efforts in tlio past have been successful. At a meeting of the Church Committee the accounts for the church maintenance fund were passed for payment—amount ins to £1 8s 4d, leaving a credit balance of 5s 9d. Several subscription lists have to come in. It is the intention of the committee to improve tho burial ground and cliarch grounds during tho com ins summer hv planting and laying down in "raw. Progress is evidently the new committee's programmo. POLLOK. A meeting of the Pollok Band of Hope was j held in the church on the 3rd November. The Rev. Robert Barr presided. The building was crowded. An instructive programme was gone through in a highly creditable manner. The benediction brought a highly enjoyable evening to a close. , . , Mr. I red. Parke, of WaiUkU, has been around our district lately, for the purpose of collecting returns for the agricultural statistics. WAI-O-TE MARAMA. IN" this genial part of New Zealand nature never sends us anything more severe than hailstones, so when the inhabitants of the district saw posters announcing that the. " Snow-flakes aro coming they were natur- ] ally surprised. After some days of wonder, their surprise was lessened by lie announcement that tlio " Snowilakos" were a minstrel troupe, who would appear at tho Wai-o-te-Marama School on November 2. As it is some years since we had a minstrel performance here, the advent of the above troupe was eagerly awaited. Great interest was taken in it, and as a result the house was crowded, many having to stand. The building was well decorated with a large number of flags. Chinese lanterns, and greenery. The entertainment started with an overture by the troupe, and this was followed by the programme, which was varied and well rendered. The jokes and conundrums throughout the programme were diverting, and the delight of the troupe, when one of their number scored against Massa Johnson, or Massa, Johnson scored against them, was highly infectious and made the audience laugh from beginning to end. The entertainment was finished vby two laughable farces. Tlio whole affair was an example of what can be don© with raw material by hard and unremitting work. Mr. W. F. Henderson was leader, and has been hard nt it for weeks past knocking the troupe into shape. To show that they appreciated his efforts, they presented him with a handsome silver-moun-ted pipe, which will, no doubt, be treasured as a memento of good work. After the farces wero finished, the house sans " God Save the Queon," and tho troupe (who aro nearly all young Maoris) sang a vers® of the Anthem in their own tongue.

TE RAU-A-MOA. A SOCIAL was held at tho school here on November 9, which proved very successful in every way. The affair was got up by tho bachelors of the place, and rizlst well did they succeed in pleasing their visitors. A supper-room was eroded ontsidu tha school, which was tastefully decorated. After several hours of dancing and sinking supper was served, when evoryono found plenty to satisfy the wants of the most fastidious. The gathering was unanimously voted very enjoyable. Since my last communication, Mr. C. W. Hurgthouio. accompanied by Mr. T. Burd, has visited tho settlement to inquire into the oomplaints that have lately bean made as to the conduct of the public works in the district. Mr. Hursthouse listened to the various speakers and then said he agreed that in goino cases cause for dissatisfaction existed, and that he would do his be3t to remedy such. The meeting took the whole of tho afternoon, but the matters discussed were mainly local and not of sufficient interest to your readers to be referred to at length. Mossrs. Hursthouse and Burd were thanked for the verycourteous hearing given to all. Mr. Inspector Grierson examined the school here last week. All the children on tho roil were present and all passed the standards they were examined in. This is a result that reflects the very highest credit on the schoolteacher, Mr. J. L. Brownlee. Mr. Grierson expressed to the local manager of the school his pleasure and surprise in finding the school go well up in every way. Many inquiries are being made about tlie land to be opened shortly near Kawhin. There is sure to be a great rush for "tnis block. , _ , A meeting was held last week fox the purpose of hearing the result of Mr. Bamws trip to Wellington. Mr. Darlow explained what the Government had promised to do in the various matters brought under their notice. Mr. Darlow was warmly thanked for the trouble he had taken in the matter. The weather has been abominable of late. . PAPAROA. . , , MP.. W. 11. SYKES has, in a very creditable manner, finished the Paparoa Wharf and shed. he shed is large and roomy, being 16ft by 25ft,- and will bo a great convenience to the back settlers during tho wool season. Tho twenty chains of road across the adjacent fly subject to inundation by extra high tides, has been permanently raised 30m by Mr. C. H. Jenkins and party, the earth being procured from a ditch on either Bido. This now requires to be metalled and a good road will be the result.

AEDMOBE. ON the evening of October 31 a soiree, concert, and dance was held in the Public Hall. For tho whole of the day, though a strong wind was blowing, matters looked cheerful, but within two hours of the time fixed for the tea, half-past six, a squall of rain and wind, which lasted fo: two and a-half hours, had its effect on the attendance. Nevertheless, about 150 braved the weather and sat down to tea. The hall was very tastefully decorated, and the four largo tables were loaded with overything that could be desired, and wero attended to by the following: No. 1. the bachelor#' table, Misses B. and M. Creighton; No. 2, Misses Hawthorne, L. Scott, and J. Nicol: No. 3, Misses A. and May McColloagh; No. 4. Misses Amy and Fanny C. Mulling. The hall being cleared, a most enjoyable concert programme was gone through. Mr. W. F. Massey. M.H.R., presided and introduced the business of tho evening. Duet, Misses M. Bell and B. Wyllie: duet, Misses M. and B. Creighton: recitation, with capital effect, by our respected vicar, Rev. O. R. Hewlett, from Dickens; song, Mr A. 8011. "The Arab's Farewell to His Steed; song, Miss Wyllie. " Jessio'i Dream,' encored; 3'inM, Mr. Hawthorne, "Just as the bun Wont Down;" recitation, Mr. 0 Hara, "Courting," encored; song, comic, Mr. Absolum, "I Didn't Know Till _ Afterwards; (> encored, and gave "The Irish Jubilee; song. Mr. Herbert Mnllins. " Marguerite," encored: song. Miss Murchie, "The Better Land," encored; song, Miss B. Creighton, "Tho Maiden's Prayer;" recitation. Mr. O'Hara., " Jimmy Bntler and the Owl," and " Unco' Easy" fairly brought down the house with laughter. Mr. J. 11. Mullins, on behalf of the committee, thanked all those who had in many cases come 20 miles to aasifct in making what had been a most en.joyablo function. Mr. D. P. Burnside also thanked the chairman, Mr. Manser, for his presence. The whole audience then sang. " God Save tho Queen." when tho young people cleared the room for dancing. During the past few weeks several properties have changed hands at a satisfactory price to the sailors. Mr. Frank Coulthard's Ardmore Sawmill, that has been working in this district for the past eight years, giving employment to a largo number of men, is now a thins of tho past, having worked out the timber of about 1600 acres, never to bo replaced. Though there were certain disadvantages to the driving public, owing to tho timber waggons cutting up the metal roads, still many well miss their vwklr wagca from employment that was close to their homes.