NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12399, 12 October 1903, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

"" ■»»■■■ ' [ftBOM otjb own cobkespondents.} PAEEOA. TOE quarterly meeting of the "Upper Thames Methodist cxrouit was hold at Paerota on Thursday night. The membership and Sun-day-school returns were considered to be satisfactory and encouraging. The urgent need of a home missionary to reside at KaJrau»ahake was emphasised, and it was agreed , that the Home Mission Committee be asked to till the vacancy at once. It was airreed that the Eev. J. Bright, of Temuka, be invited as superintendent minister, the Eev. 0. Harrison, of Waihi, to be second minister, and Mr. Head, of Prince Albert College, to toe probationer at Paeroa, provided the conference decides to send him out into circuit work. It was reported that a new church cad been opened at Manawaru, and that another new church was shortly to be opened at Morrinsviile. Mr. J. Beeche was unanimously elected circuit reporter to the Outlook. It was agreed that letters of condolence be sent to Miss Phillipsi in connection with the loss of her father and mother -with- / in a month of each other, and to the parents of Mr. j. Allen, of Te Aroha, who died rather suddenly. The annual meeting of the Ohinemuri Agricultural Society was held on Thursday night, when a satisfactory balance-sheet was pre- ; fti Bented, showing that the total expenditure (excluding trophies) was £150 .83 6d, while thesreceipts amounted to £153 10s, leaving a . bank balance of £8 Is 6d. The assets of the society, with the bank balance, total £56 Os Bd, while the liabilities amount to £13 8s Id, leaving a surplus of £42 12s 7d. The committee in their report-suggested that the incoming committee should consider the advisability of securing a permanent showground. A considerable amount of discussion took place about the rapid silting up of the Ohineinuri Elver, and the harmful results to farmers, and it was resolved that a committee, consisting of Messrs. Cassrells, Mackay, Porritt, Craig, and Poland, should draw up a. petition for signature and presentation to Parliament. The following officers were elected:— Mr. E. G. B. Moss, M.H.B. (re-elected); president, Mr. H. Poland (ret elected); vice-presidents, Messrs. B. VV. Bagnail, A. J. Thorp, and W. Moore; lion, trean surer, Mr. D. T. Inglis; secretary, Mr. W. D. Nicholas; committee, Messrs. W. J. Hall, H. Brunskill, A. Hubbard, ». Kobson, J. Tetley, W. Dennerley. S. Loughlin, C. J. Saunderson, fa. Bishop, W. H. Mahoney; Lloyd, Francis, and Hugh Morrison. Mr. D. Craig was unanimously re-elected, auditor for the ensuing year. A special vote of thanks was accorded to the honorary treasurer, Mr. 13. T. Inglis, and to the auditor, Mr. I). Craig. A hearty vote of thanks was also accorded to Mr. J Tetley for the valuable services he rendered at the last annual show, A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. TAOTAOEOA. Oft Tuesday evening a social was held in No. 2 school. There was a good attendance from the surrounding districts, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Dancing was interspersed with songs, musical selections, and - games. Dance music was provided by Mrs. Clarke and Messrs. Bruce and Cox. Miss Dora Brunskill, and Messrs. J. and T. Bruce, Chas. Branskhl, and \V. W. Edgerley contributed items. „ CAMBRIDGE. ANOTHEB'worhiug bee was held at the WaiCentral Agricultural and Pastoral Association's showground on Wednesday last, when between 20 and 30 men and half-a-dozen teams turned up, and completed the levelling elf the parade ground, which is now ready for planting. Mrsi. Taylor and Mr. C. Boyce again sent refreshments for the workers, and before dispersing the latter gave three hearty cheers for them. ITio inaugural meeting of the W.c.T.u*. Band of Hope Society on Wednesday last was very successful, the attendance being large and the items by the'juveniles well received. The contributors to the programme were:— Kite (2), Bell, Savage (2), E. Carr, G. Beer, Boyce (2), Hill, E. Eeid, Masters Mitchell, E. Waugh, O. Ford, B. Savage, and Hill. Addresses were given by Mesdames Beer, Cudworth, and Venables. The Orchestral Society and brass band also assisted. WHANG AEEI. ON Thursday the Pdroti football team played the Whangarei United. The game was a fast one, the result being: Whangarei United, 20; Poroti, 6. There was a large number of spectators on the ground. .. ' COEOMANDEL. AT a meeting of the Coronation Celebration Committee, held on Wednesday evening, the questions of unveiling the obelisk and erecting a band rotunda on the triangle in front of the Government buildings were considered. Two plans and estimates for a band rotunda were submitted, and it was decided to invite tenders for the erection of a rotunda, returnable on Tuesday next. It was resolved that the memorial obelisk be unveiled on the King's Birthday (November 9), and that the Hon. James McGowan be invited to perform the ceremony. It was also decided to hold a demonstration, at which a collection will be taken 1,10 in aid of the hospital. It was resolved 'that the Thames volunteers and Battalion Band he invited to he present and take part in the demonstration and ceremony of unveiling the obelisk, also that the officer commanding the district be communicated with respecting the matter. It was also decided to hold an entertainment in the Caledonian Hall in the evening in aid of the band rotunda fund. The entertainment promoted by the Town Band Minstrels in aid of the Town Band fundii, in the Caledonian Hall, proved highly successful. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, there was a really excellent attendance. The Town Band, volunteers, and fire brigade took part in a torchlight procession through the main street prior tt .the entertainment, and the band played a number of selections in front of the hall. , The feature of the entertainment was the playing of ah excellent • orchestra under . Bandmaster French, comprising Mrs. French (piano), Mrs. Mellars and Miss Callaway (violins), Mr. French (cornet), Mr. Deeming (euphonium), and Mr. J. Martin ('cello). The first part consisted of the customary minstrel chair circle. Mr. W. McKinley officiated as interlocutor. There were double end men, Messrs. Hooper and Sherlock (bones) and Messrs. Petley and Brown (lambos.). The chairs were occupied by Misses Gibbs, M. Enwright, A. Enwright, L. Hinchco, J. Mullins, and P. French, Messrs. D. Cuthbert and C. Gibbs. The second part of the programme was commenced by the orchestra playing a selection, " Tile Postman's Parade." " The Amazon's March," by 16 young ladies (trained by Mies Goldsworthy), was a very Pleasing item. Mrs. Allen was in good voice, and her song. " Vashti," proved to be the . Bern of the evening. Mr. .T. Deeming gave a euphonium solo, *' Jenny Jones' (with variations); Miss A. Gibbs sang "The Carnival;" and Mr. C. Hooper sans " Always Boom for : .*■ Jack." Mrs. Mellars and Miss Hodge scored a success with their mandolin duet, " Popular Airs," and Mr. W. McKinley gave " The ;■;;; Friar of.Orders Grey." Th© vocal duet, >'~.;.■ "Peace to Thy Spirit," by Mrs, Allen and . Mr. Walker was feelingly rendered, their : "voices blending well. Mr. D. Cuthbert contributed an Irish comic song, and danced ,* hornpipe. The entertainment concluded with a laughable farce entitled "The Great v Arrival." . r EOTOEUA. , THO3. DUNCAN, alias Peter Jackson, was charged at the Police Court this (Friday) morning, with criminally assaulting a girl at Mamaku on Thursday morning, and was Wrnaaded for eight days, I