NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11604, 19 March 1901, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[PHOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] X, ' CAMBRIDGE. ' " A MEETING of the Cambridge Road Board was held on Satnrday. Present: Messrs. Jas. Taylor (chairman), Martin Butler, W. H.

Thomas, and J. Mays., The clerk reported that two ratepayers had forfeited their Fencourt sections. He incidentally mentioned that, the new law was that all rates were payable in advance on April 1 in each year. A circular was/read from the Department of Agriculture intimating that tho inspection of dairies would in future be under the control of the Department. The clerk stated that the assets, after current accounts had been paid, totalled £143 14s. The clerk of the Piako County Council wrote in reference to the Board's application for opening a new road from Thornton Road to Taotaoroa, in which it was stated that Mr. C. C. Buckland, memher for the riding, being unfavourable to. the proposal, the Council would take no action, j Several,new works ■ wore - agreed on,-viz., 'the road from "The Lodge" to the Fencourt homestead (to be repaired by the Board's workmen), the' road from Broadmeadows" Creek to Douglas', and from Hautapu station to. Allwill's, for which latter tenders are to be called. A letter- was received from the Department of Lands and Survey (in reply to the Board's memo.) stating that. by reference to the Lands for Settlement Act, 189496,; the Board would see that no "thirds" or other contributions for roads of any kind are payable to any local body on lands acquired under those Acts. Mr. W. Hickey waited on the.Board, and asked for their assistance in the making of a road leading to the north Bide of the Karapiro Greek. It was stated that the boundaries had been altered,, and the Board was not sure that the line of road ; proposed came, under its jurisdiction. Mr-. M, Butler thought the proper course to pursue ■was for Mr. Hickey to approach the Lands Department. Mr. Hickey said he had written to the Department, but had been referred to the Board. The Chairman thought it- was not within the province of the Board to make the road. It was ultimately agreed that Mr. Hickey should produce a map showing where the road was on the map, and stating the amount he required as the Board's share of the work. HI . WAI-O-TE-MARAMA. • A PLEASANT dance was given in the Pakia Hall on February 25 by Mr. Geo. Webster, as & farewell to his aunt, Mrs. Clark, of North Shore, who had been on a visit to Hokianga. A good gathering was present, and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Among those present was Sergeant-Major Burr, who has been on leave in Hokianga," and who looks none the worse for his term of service in Bouth Africa. . WADE. BETTTi'RMENT is progressing very favourably throughout the district. Farms are changing hands, and many new allotments have been taken up. •'• The Agricultural Hall, recently painted by Mr. M. Barry (our local painter), looks very Well. Some of the directors of the Agricultural Hall Company are now moving to get a flagstaff erected. When this is completed the much-despised Wade will be able to boast of one of the finest public halls North of Auckland.

Large quantities of fruit are now shipped by every steamer. A step in the right direction has been taken by Mr. Lees, owner of the: largest orchard in the district, by selling his apples on the trees. It is to be hoped that other fruitgrowers will follow his example,- as it should be one man's work to grow the fruit and another man's occupation to do the packing and marketing. Great preparations are made by the School Committee for the hoisting of the flag, which is to take place on Friday. March 29. One of the greatest attractions and novel; ties of the district is the large hear) of kauri gum in Messrs. Thos. Lees and Sons' paddock, There is no necessity to give a detailed account concerning this gum. as an article about it appeared in the supplement of the Auckland weekly NEWS on Friday last, under the heading. " Gmndigging Extraordinary." it. is very gratifying to see that tne Plucky- prospectors struck a patch at last, as they have done much for the advancement of the district, and always willingly rendered assistance in every possible way to the settlers '-

MAHURANGI. TUB past week has blessed us with some fine •flays, which have been fully taken advantage of. and picnics have been the order of the day On March 5 the Wesleyan community Worshipping in the Dome Valley joined the Christian Brotherhood and held a jubilant day in a paddock' kindly placed at their disposal by Mr. P. Grimmer. A committee was ■-.::. appointed, consisting of Misses L. Grimmer, B. ■Blair. B. Phillips, and Jobson, and Messrs. Jobaon, T. Oakes, H. Phillips, and .T. Wed. «ing, and the duties assigned to this committee. were well and carefully carried out. The" special thanks of the committee are due w Mr. Harrison and Civil Brothers for donations of lollies,-and to Mr. Nathaniel Wilson ■lor a gift of nuts. Liberal provision was Jpade for the amusement of the young folks. Catering for lunch and afternoon tea had also due attention, and the gathered multi- . wis was well fed, as well as highly and.delightfully amused. At the evening tea Mr. tracev. photographer, from Warkwortb. made $1* of his- camera and tools the assembly. A {lß children and young folks made a pleasing .. ;Picture. He has on viow a verv nrettv pic- ' Ore of the group. at bis studio in Wa.-kworth. ..On Friday another lot of young folks and - o'loren from Warkworth wont to MahUrangi • ■eads and regaled. themselves right royally ; "'ui tea. air. and all other necessaries that so to make. life a pleasure. wOn Saturday a considerable number leit warkworti! to join the Oddsfellows' picnic at flotatapu. and I understand they had a very a srcealj]e outing. TJAORE'S CLAIM. V* will interest the public of this district to Know that the site on which the Maori Hall ■ - 1» Situated . has been vested in the Omaha jwatl Board, and that now there is only one o'Jstaole in the way of us having a new hall "Uacre's Claim, and that is scarcitv of cash. laK ?n many carpenters in the district, the / J ,'; Dn "r of building would probably be all sub*"'oed. and the sawmill, which. I underPnoi win soon bo starting, should lessen the vow nf material considerably, so a hall that ♦oil ''meet,our; requirements would not en- «'! much expense. / ~ • - , „r P'TOber of our settlers exhibited live atonic flfe r ent in{la > n the Omaha Show with B "i'B'«cforv results. <»!fu?ilt iD Pf liß-beoomiog-:aIiB-beoomiog- : a- favourite pastime I • bew , il e ,?? i t , t,or9 -*«' ind on a fin holiday num- .. Jfflit o '\little : crafts >■, can be '•' seen < skimming , *wst cur beautiful little harbour. v .. B -