NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13077, 17 January 1906, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

t:-'ROn orr. own correspondents.] TE AWAMUTC. The monthly meeting of the Read Board was held on Saturday last, there being present: Messrs. F. Potts (chairman), George McKinder, ']'. Bond, and the Board's supervisor (Mr. VI". Mandeno). A notification was received from the Government Department stating that foxglove wan now included in the schedule of noxious weed';. The question of erecting a new bridge at Lake Road was deferred for one moil til. A meeting of the Town Board was held on Thursday evening. There were present : Messrs. J. It. Teasdale (chairman). D. Bockett, George Ahier, W. North, and K. Matthews. Plans and specifications were received for approval in connection with the erection of a pavilion for the bowling, croquet, and tennis clubs. The matter of telephonic, communication between here and Auckland was deferred. ft was decided to request the Railway Department to have a carriage attached to the goods -train which follows the express into the King Country. This would he c great convenience and much appreciated l>v the tiv.v.." nublie. A he Police Court on I'ritlav last, before :.'"< ~ 11. Irvine and W. North, •'(.'» P., Walter Ii.■!:•-■ and Thomas Simpkiu, two co-operative Ia ho -era, who weir returning into the King Country from Auckland, wen' charged with fighting whilst in the railway carnage at Oliaupo. The accused both pkaded guilty, stating that I lie trouble was over a bottle of beer. 'lie Delicti said this was a serious offence and one thai must be put down. The travelling public should be protected from this sort of behaviour in the carriage*. The accused were each lined £.i and costs £1 is 9d, in default seven day*' hard labour. KIIiIKIJII. Mr.. Harry H. Mk.i.kc.'s youngest daughter, aged seven months, died somewhat maidenly on Wednesday morning. An inquest was held by Ihe district coroner, Mr. J. li. Teasdale. Dr. Riewis, of Hamilton, performed a post-mortem examination and found the cause of death to tie pneumonia. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned. MATAMATX. The recent rains have considerably improved the appearance of tins district, and have somewhat increased lie amount, of feed all round, bin, generally speaking, grass is very scarce. The few days ot fine weather after the lain enabled most of the settleii who had oats and hay cut to gel heir harvesting and haymaking successfully accomplished. The potato crop in this 'locality ?>■;» so f ■ :"en vei'V successful, no blight having jet mi-•> Us appearance. The heavy frost on Christmas morning, however, did considerable damage l" many local crops. Most local fruitgrowers were in the early part of the season looking forward to a very abundant yield, but the scorching wind that has recently "prevailed has altered the aspect of matters in regard to the fruit crop. Many of the trees have Income blighted, and the returns this season will be very moderate. Both the Walutroa and Gordon Road flar mills are no.v in constant operation, and every week qui..' a large quantity of libie leaves the local station for Auckland, 'where it at present J'etcJ-.f a verv fair price. The" building trade continues very brisk, there ljeing tit present several cottages and milksheds in the course of erection. ii in understood thai ar- early effort will be made by Hie ratepayers in the miinediat > vicinity of' the Waiota Creek to co-operate with the settlers in and around the Hutigahunga Rlo.-V i-i making the necessary arrangements for the .'■. institution Of a Waitoa-Hnugahuriga Drc;,.-.-Board, whose jurisdiction should extend ..ei the whole of the river basin, and thereby secure a permanent: and suliicient drainage outlet. During the past week three houtherneis in quest of land, especially suitable dairy and fattening farms, we're driven round tins locality, and it is understood that some tempting prices 'were offered by them for several local ; pi,.pertus, bur so far it is not generally known if any busr--1H.34 wis transacted. Recently this locality has been attracting the attention of tourists. The hot springs and the lie lent fishing which the rivers and streams vTtd, . he district afford seem lobe the prineio r attractions. Often tourists motoring to and rotn'Rotonn'-niid it very ] pleasant to spend a £ -,fi, e ; Auckland Board of Education is at prej|,e Authiaiu jal . v arrangements lor the sent malonp the n« : t - gchool c |,,,-t. bo that division of the wataui. i. district will have i school committee of itt ovn the al.aroa potI lion to enjoy the same priuiege.