NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12069, 12 September 1902, Page 3

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[K«OM OCR OWN COBfcESVOXDEXTS.] AERO A. OV Wednesday night Mr. J. Garcia, on the eva of his departure for Taranaki, received several practical testimonies as to the esteem i.-> which lie is held by his many local friends. He was the guest of the Paeroa Bugb.V Union and friends at a social held at the Commercial Hotel, and during the evening Mr. 11. Poland, who presided, presented Mr. Garcia with a valuable gold albert and Locket, suitably inscribed, as a slight memento from his many Paeroa friends. Mr. J. McGregor, chairman of the Paeroa Rugby Union, also presented him with a handsome illuminated shield comprising photos, of the officers of the union, and he was also the recipient of two splendid enlargements of the Bast, and West Clubs, Mr. J. Brennan making: the presentation on behalf of the East Club and Mr. P. Delaney the West. The various .gilts were suitably acknowledged by Mr. Garcia. He lias also been the recipient of an illuminated address and. parse of sovereigns from the firm and employee* of Messrs. Forrest and Clark, with whom he has lately severed his connection, in order to take up a position in the Taranaki district. A meeting of the Paeroa Domain Board was held this (Thursday) afternoon, when the matter of letting the recreation ground for a short period to a suitable tenant was left in the bcfluln of Messrs. Poland, Moore, and Cafcrells. HUNTLY. OX Saturday, at the Huntly Bides' shooting competition, Sergeant T. O'Loughlin won a, horse, which, was kindly given by Mr. Donald McKinnon as a prize for the best rifle shot. The B-alph belt, which is put tip annually for competition, was won this year by Corporal Rayuor. Bugler Brook's prize was secured by Private Summers. Private Turner was tho winner of a, handsome pair of carvers, presented by Messrs. Ilayman and Co., 01 Auckland. Mr. Culver, organiser for the Liberal party, met the local branch of the Liberal Federation on Monday evening, when matters connected with the coming political campaign were discussed and a provisional programme was adopted. The Waikato River is very shallow for the time of the year. The Maoris think that the coming summer will be a dry one. Sergeant T. Atkins, sometime of the Htmtly Rifles, who has been to Africa on service with the Tenth Contingent, has returned to the district for a brief holiday. Mr. Atkins was formerly a teacher on the Huntly school staff, and subsequently took charge of the Ohinewai school. It is reported that the bridge at Bvegraan's landing, Glee Murray, is soon t« be built. The bridging of the Opnatia will be a great aid to settlement, in the Glen Mnrray-Opnatia district. Bangiriri settlers will be glad to learn that the Tuakau punt will be removed to Bangiriri a'Bjsoon -is the Tuakau bridge opens for traffic. Mr. A. Katz, Grandmaster of the Oddfellows, is expected to visit Huntly m the interests of the order. The platform of the Huntly railway station is being extended, and the necessary k&rbing is now being built in. Water tanks are also being located in convenient positions, no that the engines may take water without delay in shunting. Trooper Homes, a returned contingenler, was entertained at a social at Pttkemiro. A bridge is greatly required to cross the Awaroa Creek from the direction of MacKae's or Hetherington's at Pukeiniro. Owing to Macßae's private bridge having broken down through traffic i? stopped for the present, travellers being put to great i a convenience. ~,.11...,.,. ..mi..