NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12070, 13 September 1902, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[>'Koll OfK OW.V COERJSSrO.VDEXTS.]

PAEKOA. Wnt:.\ the Government acquired the unexpiled term of Casrells and Bennett's lease of the Paeroa township allotments the leaseholders were approached and a certain proposition which the Government were willing' to act upon was laid before them. The request was that leaseholders should surrender their leases and allow them to be put up by auction subject to improvements, but this the leaseholder? did not then feel disposed I" ?. i?l ' * ! to - Since then, however, nothing further has been done, and as the position is a very unsatisfactory one to the leaseholders, they held a. meeting on Thursday night at tho commercial room of the Criterion Hotel. There was a large attendance. Mr. F. Cock presiding. The Chairman and Messrs. F. Porritt and Mueller addressed the meeting, and the need lor concerted and prompt action was emphasised. Eventually it was decided to facilitate the settlement of the question by. all the leaseholders surrendering: their leases as requested, provided that the Government give a pledge that they (the leaseholders) will receive the value of improvements should they not become the purchasers of their section.". They state that they are willing to purchase their sections at the present Government valuation as upset price, and as regards the unimproved value they also request the Government to issue 'instructions that the freehold allotments should be put up to auction with as little delay as possible. A petition to that effect has been drawn up. and when signed will be forwarded to the Minister for Lands. A committee, consisting of the chairman and Messrs. Mueller. Harston, and Crosby, was appointed to carry out the wishes of tho meeting HAMILTON". Ox Thursday evening a ping-pong match took place in th o Sunday-school, between a team of two ladies and two gentlemen representatives of Auckland, ami a like number of the Hamilton Club. The visit-ins teams were victorious in every game played. Tho continued cold weather is becoming a serious matter. Although the winter has been Mich that stock generally are in good condition, the pastures are very bare for the time of year, and the milking cows are suffering ajtd going <>ff in condition. Some warm winds ami gentle rain are badly "anted.

The annual meeting of the members of the Hamilton Bowling Club was held at Bright' 3 hotel. President: Dr. Brewia (president, in the chair), and Messrs. Howden, Coyle. Munro, Von .Stunner, Peat-son, Varney. Bond, Rollinson, Parr, Chapped. Krookfield, . Graham, Sare, Thomson, and Paul. The president read the following balance-sheet, which had been duly audited by Mr. Von Stunner:—Profit ami loss account—Receipts: To 35 member; at. 21=, £35 15s; three members at 10s 6d. xl lis 6d; donation*. 9s 6d; entry fees tournament. 16s: total. £39 12s. Expenditure: By vent, £5; roller, £5 10s: mower. £2 10s: bowls, etc.. £2; bowling shoes and mats, 19s 3d; printing, stationery, and advertising. £6 15s 9d; expended on green, £5 Ms; bank charges, ss: balance in bank. £10 18s: total. £39 12s. Assets and liabilities— To balance in hank. £10 18*; roller. £5 103; mower. £2 10s; bowls, mauls. £2 13s; lawn grass, £1 7s 6d ; two rakes, 8s; tape measure, 7s: total, les? 10 per cent, depreciation, £22 13s 6d. Liabilities: By sundry account?, £7 17s 3d: balance, £14 15- 10d: total. £22 13s 6.!. The following officers were appointed:—President, Mr. K. is. biookfield; vice-presidents. Dr. Brewis and Mr. W. A. Graham; committee, Messrs. Geo. Pearson, W. Von Sturmer, A. E. Manning:, and AA'. Channel!: .secretarv and treasurer, Mr. ,T. S. Bond. Vote* of thanks were passed to the president, treasurer, secretary, and auditor. NGARUAWAITIA. AT the monthly meeting of the Newcastle Road Board there were present: Messrs. shepherd (chairman), Byeroft, Nicholson, Poynter, and Fuller-ton. Mr. Burd. of the Roads Department, objected to closing the road between sections 61, 62, and 63, Horetiu. on the grounds that to do so would cut off access to the AVaipa River. It was determines! to continue the present road through section 7 to the river; in this case Mr. Burd raised no objection to the first-mentioned road being closed. Mr. J. Gillett wrote objecting to give the land on the To Rapa Road, or do the necessary work, unless some guarantee was given that the Waipa County Council would complete the formation within twelve months. It was decided to forward Mr. Gillett terms to the Council. The Chairman reported that with Messrs. Poynter and Nicholson he inspected some of the sites of the proposed road works, and submitted a schedule of those they considered most urgent. Alter discussion it was determined to prosecute the following works: — A concrete culvert to replace Morrisons bridge; to expend £12 10s in cutting on Hewi.C Road, provided Mr. Ifewis contributes £2 103; formation, claying, etc.. on Valley Road, Tuhikaramea; sanding I'ttkete Road; re-forming about oo chains, and. making drain Rotokuri Road, near Fullerton's: eight or nine ''bains of sanding near Eraser's cutting, Te Kowhai ROTOR!" A. THE Rotorua branch of the Liberal Federation passed a very pleasant evening on Tuesday last, when some 60 members met at Mr. Sloane's hall to welcome the federation's secretary for New Zealand, Mr. W. J. Culver. The evening was opened by a musical selection by Miss Mason and Mr. J. Munro (piano and cornet), followed by several dances, after which the president (Mr. P. Allsop), in a few words introduced Mr. Culver, who gave a concise outline of the work of the different, branches of the federation, and also spoke of the probability of the Absolute MajorityBill passing the House this session, and further explained the method of election should this Bill be passed. Dancing was then resumed and continued with jrreat spirit, interspersed with songs and recitations, until midnight. At ten o'clock a most plentiful and dainty supply of fight refreshments was handed round, kindly provided by some halfdozen lady members. The supper table was presided over by Mrs. Anketell and Miss Banks, who. with a staff of committeemen enrolled as waiters, dispensed the many good things provided in a most capable manner. Songs were rendered during the evening byMessrs. J. Slater, Drew, ,T. Cross, and D. P. London, and recitations by Messrs. J. Slater and 11. Stewart, while th» music was provided by Miss Mason ana Messrs. J. Munro, E. Fordvce, and T. Sloane. The arch " Beautiful," or rather the skeleton of it. erected In honour or tho Duke of York's visit, has been demolished by order of the Town Concfl. The arch has so long stood at the corner of Fenton "and Hinemoa Streets that its disappearance seems like the loss of an old friend, bnt it was becoming a, menace to traffic, and its day was over, so it had to go. The weather here has been very cold of late. The Rotoraa residents have unearthed some very fair dramatic talent in their midst, and for tho last two years have enlivened the winter evenings with occasional dramatic entertainments. The majority of these entertainments have been under the auspices of the Mushroom Dramatic Club (a name derived from the speedy production of the first play). This club consists of some 20 working members, with a similar number of honorary members. " The Knave of Hearts," a musical extravaganza, was recently staged at the Assembly Hall, by the club, with the assistance of talented friends, who were not actually members of the club. The production met with great success, receiving an enthusiastic reception from a full house. The name and role of the above artistes are as attached:—Kins: of Diamonds, Mr. H. Bloomfield: Ace of Hearts, Miss M. Malfroy: Kins of Hearts, Mr. J. W. AViltou; Queen of Hearts. Miss Conway; King of Spades, Mr. Tomlinson; King of Clubs, Mr. H. Stewart: Knave of Hearts, Mr. G.PeUiam. Y.'AIHI. TIIH Mayor of Waihi (Mr. W. H. Phillips) left Waihi tins (Friday) afternoon on a few days.' visit to Auckland. Though nothing has been received officia ' I understand that the final interview between the \\ aim borougn delegates (Messrs. Wm. Jackson and D. Donaldson) and Sir Joseph Ward regarding the Waihi gold duty has been of a, most satisfactory nature, and there need Do no longer any tear that tne gold revenue of Waihi borough will be diverted into other channels. On Thursday night Constables Stevens ami Pinkertoti picked up a man lying in a helpless state ot drunkenness in the street gutter during the heavy rain. The man was safely lodged in the lockup for the night. Be was brought before the Magistrate's Court this (Friday; morning, Mr. .Max 1). King, J.P., preaiding. Being a first offence he was convicted and discharged with a caution. Sergeant Brennan stated that it the police had not taken him out of the gutter he would probably have been dead by the morning. The third anniversary of the Waihi Advance Tent, No. 12, t.O. Rechabites. fcf.u., was held in the Waihi Hall on Wednesday night, there being present, a good representative gathering, including Brothers S. T. Wnitehouse, D.D.K.; W. J. Macdermott, D.G.; P. O'Grady, A.D. (representing Hie A.O. Druids); J. Glennie, G.M. (representing 1.0. Oddfellows, M.U.); the officers and members of the local Reehabito Tent, and numerous friend*. Brother VVhitehouse, D.D.R., presided, and briefly referred to tho benefits of friendly societies generally and tho 1.0. Kechabites in particular. Vocal items were effectively contributed by Messrs. Griffiths, Robins, Everett, and Morgan. Humorous and pathetic recitations were given respectively by Mr. N. A. Pearee and Miss Edwards. Miss Morgan and Mrs. Oanley capably officiated as accompanists. " The Steeplechase, or In the Pigskin," a highly amusing farce, was staged by the Waihi Minstrel and Dramatic. 'Club. The performance ran very smoothly, and was greatly appreciated by the audience. At tho conclusion of the entertainment an adjournment was made to the .-upper-room, where the tables were liberally spread with tempting edibles. Excellent lea and coffee was dispensed by Mesdames Legge and Beck, and Misses Hollis, Edwards, and Crawford (2). While the supper was being discussed, the Floor Committee prepared the hall lor the concluding dance programme, which commenced about eleven p.m. The dance music was supplied by tho popular caterers, Mrs. ] Ganley and Mr. J. Mc.Minn, who gave every iiatisfa-ciiou. Brother Edmund Parkinson, ! as M.C., was both courteoussmd painstaking, i ami added not, a little to the success of the function. Everyone apparently enjoyed themselves, and the Advance Tent. No. 12. an- j niversary committee and their willing lady assistants' are deserving of great praise for ! the highly satisfactory, results attending their J efforts. i

At a. recent meeting of tho Waihi Volunteer Fire Brigade, a letter was received from .Mr. Champion, secretary Auckland District United Fire Brigades Association, inviting the Waihi brigade'*-' co-operation in a monster demonstration to be held at Auckland early in December. After considerable discussion, consideration of tke matter was deterred ponding the decision of the Borough Council a.5 to subsidising the brigade. The Waihi Draughts and Chess Club held a meeting on Monday night, when it. was decided to play the Hamilton Chess Club by telegraph on the 24th instant. It, was also decided to play •with nine men a-side, Messrs. A. T. KendrLMs and B&won to make the selection for Waihi.

Mr. Harold Lewis, who had hi? foot cut oft" on the Waihi Gold Mining Company's Waikino tramline, some 18 months ago, returned t.> Waihi on Wednesday last. 1 understand that he will be given suitable and permanent employment :y the company.

Mr R. Crowe, inspector of schools', has been in Waihi several days during this week, on his usual round of school inspection. The Waihi Borough Council and hospital trustees are being urged to take immediate steps to have trees planted in the hospital grounds. The new Waihi Hospital, now in course of erection, for its size, will be, when ccnploted, one of [be most compact ami up-to-date institutions of its kind in tho Auckland province, but. there is at present neither a. tree nor a fhrub within a considerable distance of it. OTAISA. THE usual fortnightly meeting or the Mutual Improvement Society was held on Tuesday, September 9. The evening's entertainment took the form of a representation of Shakespere'a " Much Ado About Nothing." Before the curtain rose an outline of tne play was read by Mr. T. Clow. The performance was much appreciated by the large audience, which assembled from all parts of the surrounding districts; and the acting, as a whole, reached a high standard, considering the difficulties that such a plav presents to the amateur performers of thakespere. The most interesting characters of the plav, Beatrice and Benedick, were played by Miss Adelaide Wallace a.nd Mr. J. O'Hara," their acting evoking loud applause. The rather difficult role of Hero was well taken by Miw> Ada Camuh. and that of her love)-. Ciatuilo. bv Mr. J. White, who made a good ioipreasion. Mr. W. O'Hara mad« a very dignified Leonato. The role of Friar Francis was ably taken by Mr. A. Short. The remaining roles were taken as follows:—Don Pedro, Mr. A. White: Hon John, Mr. U. Wyllie: Ursula. Miss A. Kerr; Korachio, Mr. P. O'Hara; Conrade, Mr. A. Wyllie: Dogberry. Mr. 8. Fulton; Verges. Mr. 0. Docherty. Altogether ft proved a very enjoyable evening, and the members of the society a.if to h« congratulated on the success, fmaitoinl and otherwise, Tcbicti attended their efforts.

CAMBRIDGE. MB. W. .T. HCNTEB'S annual spring horse fair commenced here on Wednesday, buyers being present from various parts of the colony. The weather was bleak and showery, which made matters none too pleasant for those who .■stood out, the day. Unbroken and draughts were first offered, and realised excellent price?, the highest being £41. Several contracting plants were disposed of at poo*! prices. There are over 1000 entries. Mr. Charles Hunter is melding the hammer in place of his brother. Mr. W. .1. Hunter. The last of the series of parish evenings in connection with St. Andrew'*. Church, was neld in tae schoolroom on Thursday evenin;. There w.us a good attendance. In accordance with announcements previously made, the gathering was constituted a meetin' of parishioners, and the. question of forming the parochial district into a parish considered. The Veil. Archdeacon Willis introduced the subject, and explained the advantage* of the steps proposed. On the proposition of ifr. T. Wells, seconded by Mr. I'. J. Sander*, the following motion was unanimously "carried:— "That in the opinion of this meeting the parochial district ot Cambridge should be formed into a parish, and the parishioners present hereby authorise application to he made to the Diocesan synod to constitute the parochial district of Cambridge a parish, to be known as the parish of Cambridge." A memorial in connection therewith was numerously signed by the parishioners. The following programme was gone through:— Pianoforte duet. Kisses sseet and Payne: solo, "The Old Countrec." Miss Willis; violin solo. Miss Gladys Onions; solo, "The Old Soldier." Mr. W. Madison: solo, "Only Dreams." Miss R. Skeet: recitation, Mrs Polwarth; pianoforte duet, the Misses Hanlin: solo. "The Honeysuckle and the Vice." Mrs. Polwarth: mandolin solo, Mr. Sanders: recitation. Master K. Wangh. Refreshments were handed round at the close.