NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11987, 9 June 1902, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

——» — [from ore own correspondents.] COROMANDEL. THE St. Andrew's Hand of Hope gave a social on Thursday evening in the Presbyterian Church. There was a large attendance, and everything passed off well. The various items or the programme were all heartily applauded. Tho members and friends worked well to make the social a- success, which it undoubtedly was. The Rev. Tiros. Norrie was in the chair, and the following programme was rendered:—Songs by Mrs. J. E. Gray. Mrs. Kittson, and Mrs. Norrie, the Misses McDonald and Law, Mr. McClymont, and Master A. Kelso; action songs by six little girls; dialogue. "A Bit of a Tiff;" piano solo, by Miss Collier; piano duet by the Misses Kelly and Short. Refreshments were banded round at. intervals. Mr. C. E. Kennedy, with his staff of assistants and a number of ladies, worked well to make the social an enjoyable one. The singing of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close. HAMILTON. Tub ordinary meeting of the Kirikiriroa Road Board was held on Friday. Present: Messrs. J. Gordon (chairman), T. Peterson, and M. G. Parrer. A rate of 3d in the £ was struck for the ensuing year. Mr. Wesley Spragg wrote re tho lease of a site for a creamery on the river bank at Taupiri. lie asked for a lease at a, nominal rental, and added that he would apply to the proper authorities for tho purchase of tho same. It was agreed to lease tho site to Mr. Spragg at 10s per year, and to inform Mr. Spragg that he could go on with the building forthwith, and that the Board would do all in its power to secure the title. In consequence of a complaint from Messrs. Davis, it was decided to instruct the foreman of works to effect repairs on the tramway road, and fence in a dangerous gravel pit. Mr. I. Conies wrote with reference to the rates due on the Ruakura experimental station, for which ho had received a demand and threat to sue He stated that the rates clue to date were deducted from the purchase money when he sold to Messrs. Gordon and Slade, and that if sued he would defend the case. Mr. Gordon said that when ho took over the property from Mr. Coates a month's rates were due. This amount had been deducted from the purchase money. lie had held the property for two months, and then sold to the Government, and the rates for that period were deducted from the purchase money, aud Mr. Clifton then took over the responsibility. Ho had interviewed Mr. Ritchie, and found that the Government paid no rates upon am- of their properties. Mr. Clifton had agreed to refund him (Mr. Gordon) the amount, and he would pay the three months' rates due prior to the Government taking over tho farm, and also he would pay the 10 per cent, penalty. Some members said it was most unfair that the Government should be exempt. Tho Hoard determined to forego the claim again.it Mr. Coates. Account?; amounting to £154 lis 7i) were passed for payment. A meeting of St. Peter's vestry was held on Friday evening, when it was decided by five votes to four to close the exchange of property with Mr. Howden on the terms already reported. A good deal of feeling was displayed, and file four defeated vestrymen expressed their intention of resigning in a body. CAMBRIDGE. A MEETING of the shareholders of the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Company was held in the Farmers' Clubroom, Cambridge, on Wednesday afternoon, for the purpose of electing three directors to iill the vacancies caused by the retirement of Messrs. J. Allwill, G. Luxton, and T. Kellv. There were about 30 gentlemen present, Mr. Jas. Taylor (chairman of directors! presiding. Only the required number of nominations were received, viz., Mr. .T. Allwill. nroposed by Mr. F. nicks, and seconded by Mr. G. Parker: Mr. Jno. Fisher, proposed by Mr. J. G. Ward and seconded bv Mr. Ashwin: Mr. E. Allen, proposed by Mr. Allwill. and seconded "by Mr. Stone. The gentlemen named were declared elected. Mr. T. J. Bull gave a lecture in the Oddfellows' Hall on Tuesday evening on the subject of " The Liquor Trade in Commerce. Politics, and Morals." His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. F. Buckland) presided. There was not a very large attendance. The lecturer was listened to with much appreciation.