NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11534, 20 November 1900, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHATAWHATA. THE wet weather has made the roads very bad, but the quantity of moisture has made feed very plentiful, but the quality is not so good, a fact which is exemplified by the low percentage of cream contained in the milk, although the cold winds may be responsible m some degree, tho fat in the milk being necessary to keep up the animal heat. Seldom have the percentages gone down so rapidly as during the last week or two. Mr. L. Sutton has obtained the contract for carting cream at the rate of 19s per diem. The former contractor only received 13s 6d, and he threw his contract up. COROMANDEL. A sale of work in connection with the Wesleyan Church was held on Saturday in the Caledonian Hall. The bazaar was formally opened by Mr. Max D. King, J.P., who in a few well chosen words declared the sale open. The stalls were arranged with various useful and ornamental wares, inoluding fancy goods, wearing apparel, toys, produce, and refreshments. The following ladies were in charge of the various stalls:—Mesdamea Mitchell, Moore, Davies, Applegate, Duigan, Johnson, A. Reynolds, and King, and Misses Randlo, Johnson, Collier, James, Kin?. Gibbs. Suiter, Martin. Bridson, Nowton, Hill, Monstead. and Marshall. Messrs. Jeune and Worthington were in char go of the produce stall. During a portion of the evening a concert was given, when several Auckland ladies assisted. Tho first item was a pianoforte duet by Miss S. Peek and Holland; solo. "Peace of God," Miss Elva White; violin solo. " Oroarie." Miss M. Peak; song, "I Trust You Still," Miss Masruire: song, " One Morning. Oh ! so Early," Miss Holland: song. " Silent March," and also " Last Aboard," Rev. A. Mitchell; pianoforte solo, Polish air. Miss Holland. On Sunday morning, afternoon, and evening the services were largely musical. Miss Peak sang the " Vesper Hymn." and rendered the violin solo Andante." from Mendelssohn's "Concerto." Miss White sane "Crossing the Bar;" Miss Holland sang " Meditation." and the Rev. A. Mitchell ■" The Coming of the King." All the items were beautifully • rendered, and comprised a musical treat for Coromandel. The choir, under Mr. Chas. Batson, sang Jackson "Te Deum," Mozart's " Gloria," and "Hosanna in the Highest," besides other choruses. At the various services of the day the congregations were good. The bazaar is being resumed to-day. The Coromandel tennis season was opened on Saturday. There was a very large attendance. The president (Mr. A. J. Litten) formally opened the game. General practice was indulged in, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent. Tea was provided bv Mrs. Litten. Several matches with outside clubs are expected to come off during the season. NGARTTAWAHIA. THE weather for the last few days has been very wintry. The wind has been extremely cold, and growth has been seriously checked. On Thursday morning there was a frost, and many farmers are complaining that their potatoes have been nipped. The monthly meeting of the Newcastle Road Board was held at Ohote on Wednesday. Present: Messrs. Shepherd (chairman). Byoroft, Nicholson, Pullerton, and By croft. Mr. W. Aitken wrote re proposed road deviation at Sealey'B farm, offering to meet the Board and come to some arrangement. The matter was deferred. Mr. Higginson waited on the Board in connection with opening the road from his property to the Tuhikaramea native settlement. It was decided that Mr. Drurv lay off the road so as to ascertain the probable cost. It was decided on the recommendation of Mr. Pullerton to make som» small cuttings and formation on the Haniil* ton-Whatawbata Road. The chairman brought up the Question of rating on unimproved values, which had been held over from last meeting. Ho explained that road boards had no power to arrange for taking a poll except in oases where the Counties Act was suspended, or a general rate was struck. Further, there appeared to be no provision for taking a poll in any subdivision of tot county, such as a road distriot; it would require to be taken over the whole county. When, however, such a noil had been taken and carried, which it could now be by a bare majority of votes recorded, the system or ratine in the road districts would be tho same. The members of the Board expressed the opinion that the proposal by the Farmers Club to reauest the authorities to open up a ouarrv at Taupiri mountain was an excellent one. and a resolution to that effect was carried. .