NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13305, 11 October 1906, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS .

;'." : '[irou oca OWN CORBESPOSPSKTS.] '. *.* '- ; '- TUAKAU. :. A .' r '' THE Anglican Bishop of Auckland' visited this place on Sunday, 7th inst., and preached an eloquent and impressive sermon to a crowded congregation in St. John's Church from Luke ' 8 xii. Prayers were said by the vicar, the lessons being read by 'the layreader (Mr. G. Brown). Mr. P. Rowe pre- - sided ,at • the organ, and the singing was good ; and-,hearty. : .The--church; looked very nice, some floral decorations having J been artistically arranged 'by the Misses Brown, Taylor, arid Xapwood, assisted by some of the young men. .The Bishop expressed his pleasure at the neat and tidy appearance of the ehurch, which, he was informed, was due to the voluntary work of the young ladies of the congregation. At the conclusion of the service the Bishop and vicar were driven to Pukekohe by Mr. John Bilkey. His lordship has been very fortunate in having fine weather for his trip through the Glen Murray, Wairamarama, and Onewhero districts. CLEVEDGN. THE Literary and Debating Society held their usual fortnightly meeting on Tuesday, October 2, there being present a good attendance, the subjects debated being " Should Woman's Franchise be Abolished?" The affirmative • was taken by Mrs. Home and the negative by Miss Sutherland. A vote taken resulted in favour of woman's franchise. The Clevedon Polo Club members turned out to practise on Saturday, the 6th inst, Two teams were on the ground, and two new players put in an appearance. The. club have been presented with a cup, to be played for annually between teams of the club, .by, Mr. W. Abbott, and no doubt it will bring out a. good number of new members. Last season the club had 21 playing members. On the 13th a match arranged between - smokers, and non-smokers, and a good game is anticipated. ■ " PAPAKURA. ■ ON Sunday afternoon a confirmation service was held at Christ Church by the Bishop of Auckland (Dr Neligan). Twenty-five candidates,, were confirmed (7 males and 18 females). In the evening a mission service was held in the Public Hall, Mr. Lewis presiding.• The Bishop- gave a stirring address on the work done by the various missions under his charge, and strongly exhorted his hearers to do all in their power to assist. WARKWORTH. The remains of the late Mr. G. S. Warin, who was drowned on Sunday, September 30, in the Mahurangi River, were buried in the Mahurangi Heads churchyard. The Rev. E. G. Evans conducted the service. It is quite common now. to see land purchasers, up here, and some purchases have been made at good figures. A well-known place changed hands a short time ago, and the seller cleared £700 after holding just 12 months. « The Mahurangi Band of Hope held their monthly meeting on October 1, when a programme given mostly by the young members was gone through. During the evening Mr. Hill, of Auckland, gave a lecture' on "Sir Wilfred Lawson," and the executive give a prize to the best essay on that lecture, either by boy or gir, Mr. Hill to judge, and he also promises a second prize for the same. A working bee took place at the Presbyterian manse, when a few interested ones turned up to clear and fence the grounds. When the work is .finished the manse will look quite trim and the whole property will be considerably improved. . '.' ...... .- . BOMBAY. ■ - Os Saturday the ordinary meeting of the "Paparata Road Board was held. Tenders were authorised to be called for 200 cubic yards of 2in metal for repairing the "main Bombay-Paparata Road, from the post office to Mr. Watson's old farm. With regard ;to other works the Board decided to meet on Thursday, October 11,. at nine a.m., and . make an inspection, of the several roads in the district, and decide on the work most urgent. .: HUNTLY.,.;';'., .'; A MOST successful bazaar and sale of work took place in the Volunteer Hall on Friday and Saturday, ' the object being the augmentation of the building fund in connection • with St. Paul's (Anglican) Church. The hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and the stalls were laden with useful and ornamental articles. The takings • were over £60. On both nights the Huntly orchestra rendered several pieces with pleasing effect. The stalls and stallholders were: —Fahcv-work, Mesdames Beck and Cummins, Misses "Burnett, Millington, and Herd (2); plainwork, Mesdames Hall, Parkes, R. Skellern, and Zimmermann; lollies, Misses Marshall, Wight, and N. Exon; refreshments, Mesdames J. Clout, Herd, Porter, and Exon; bran dips, Mrs. Shearer, ■Misses Crowderi'Moleßworth,'and'McQuillan. Under the auspices of. the Waikato Rugby Union the Huntly. and Ngaruawahia teams,,for the fourth time in the final draw for the caps, met at Tanpiri on Saturday. ■ Though Huntly was handicapped by the 'absence of three of the best players, and in the course of the game had one / member incapacitated, 'they' ployed a. good game,' and more than held ttielii own: until within ten minutes of the call of time, when Ngaruawahia made theft effort; and scored two tries in quick succession, the coveted caps thus falling to Ngaruawahia by eight points to nil. This match closes the present season. KAUKAPAKArA. The annual meeting of the Cricket Club was held on September 29. The report for the past season was satisfactory. Out of six matches played two were won, three lost, and the other resulted in a tie. Good batting and bowling, averages were obtained by several players.' The balance-sheet showed £1 12s. 2d to credit,- and the club possesses a good supply of material. It was decided to unite for the coming season with the Wainui Club: ■- A meeting was held on Saturday night last for the purpose of forming a tennis club. A strong committee was appointed, and preliminary arrangements made. . Directions were given for the preparation of a court. ' • The funeral of the late Mrs. C. Simcock took place on Sunday afternoon last. The service in the church" and at the graveside was read by the Rev. W. H. Spee'r. Mrs. Simcock had lived here continuously for over 40 years, and was highlv respected. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family, who have lost both parents within 18 months." . • • MATAMATA. , Thk weather in this vicinity is still very warm during the day, with rather heavy dews at night, so that at present the growth is all that could be desired, and the feed, crop, and young grass are all coining on most satisfactorily. The natives predict an exceptionally hot and dry summer in this locality.' ' '' The annual examination of the local schools, Matamata", Wsharoa, and Walton, took place during the past week, and it is understood that the

results in each case are most favourable. On October 2 a very successful soiree and con-cert.-was held in the Waitoa schoolroom in aid of the funds of the local Methodist Church. After an excellent tea, provided by the Waito* ladies, Mr. S. Bellamy took the chair, and a most enjoyable concert programme, consisting: of many fine vocal and instrumental items, was effectively rendered. It is understood that a working committee of Waitoa residents has been recently' formed for the purpose of endeavouring to arrange for the erection of a public hall. The average attendance having recently increased at the Waitoa Public' School an assistant-teacher will booh be appointed... - ."■' '.-. .■'.. • .... On Saturday evening last the monthly meeting of the Farmers' Union was held in the Settlers' Hall at Matamata, a good' number of members being present. The principal business was the discussion of the Laud Bill now before- the House, it being the unanimous and very decided opinion of the members that selectors should'invariably be given the option of acquiring the freehold. A resolution to that effect was adopted find sent on to the : member for Waikato, with a request "'.to devote his energies in this desired direction." .■ Lieutenant Moore, of the Matamata volunteer troop, is displaying most praiseworthy energy in the drilling of his men every month. , This company is progressing very favourably, and give promise to becoming quite a strong troop. The attendance at the local schools has been suffering recently owing to the prevalence of measles and scarlet fever. . Mr. D. Bell, of Kiwitahi, has 'secured the coniract of erecting one large bridge and . two medium-sized ones across the- Mangapapa- Creek, i.n the Peria-Wallon lload. through the Richmond Downs and Landsdowne Estates. The contractor has already begun the work,, so that this convenient "thoroughfare will soon be open for vehicular traffic;. ' ; It is now understood that instead of removing the Waharoa, flaxmill to Hinuera the recent purchasers from Messrs. Foreman Bios, have, on making inquiries in*-regard' to the amount of green- flax at present growing in the immediate neighbourhood, decided'to .re-erect this mill on Mr. Watts', property in Waharoa. • • On Saturday evening the Gordon Social Club held its final meeting in the schoolroom. A largo number of members and friends were present, and the usual games of cards and bagatelle were indulged in, with music and recitations to vary the proceedings. At the conclusion of the meeting a choice supper was handed round'by the ladies, and it is understood that in order to appropriately celebrate the close of such a successful ' season , the members, of the club intend, to give a plain and fancy dress ball at an early date. After- ' wards the annual meeting of the Gordon Cricket 1 Club was held, Mr. John Montague in the chair, The report and balance-sheet were of a satisfactory nature, and it was unanimously decided to continue the club during the ensuing season, and to begin active, operations at once. • Mr. Downard .was-appointed.secretary and treasurer.. r ! ■ While riding to school during-'the early part ■ of the week Mr.. Seagar Mason's son, a boy of eight years of age, fell with his horse and sustained a very severe compound fracture of the . forearm. The sufferer was immediately removed to Matamata. He is progressing favourably. ■■: 1 In conclusion of the season the Matamata dancing class gave a very enjoyable social-dance in : the Settlers' Hall on Friday evening. There was a. very fair attendance, and Messrs. Green, and , Young made most efficient M.C.'s. On Friday evening the residents of Walton ten- ' dered Mr. Ernest McPike, who is leaving the dis- > trict, a farewell social in Mr. Teague's woolshed, *. large' number • of residents and visitors being ; present;'' Mr.' Ellery >■ performed the duties of ; M.C. in a most efficient manner. During the inI terval.Mr. Mi Cooney, in an appropriate speech, . presented Mr. McPike with a handsome Gladstone ' bag as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by the Walton people. On Saturday afternoon the Waharoa Cricket ; Club' opened the season by a match, married versus single, in Mr. B. Johnston's paddock, there ' being a good muster of players. Mr.- Johnston 1 captained the married players and Mr. Parker the ' single. - The, latter were defeated by 41 to 19. t' Wight-man and Seelly did good work for the: win- > ning team, while Boden and Parker performed > well for the losing side. At the Waharoa and several' other schools in this .part, of the country > the boys are forming * cricket clubs in connection with the schools, . and later on inter-school matches will be played.

•■■■■.- * ' KAWHIA. '"" Mr. W. W McCardlx ha* disposed of his lection of over a thousand acre* at Awaroa to a Wanganui resident. Some person hat been- .laying' poison in Hie township, and' ono or \ two Valuable dogs have been baited. - Mr ,W Gnlvan. left on Thursday for Raglan with ' 101 store ■; bullocks and 12 younp homes', which-he purchased from the natives at Tahawa. Mr. Foote, fa prominent Whiinstarei': resident, and his son visited Kawhia last week, both being very pleased with our town. Complaints have been heard 'locally of the damage done in the township by wandering pigs. < The difficulties which Mr. H. Boesen has had to face in his plucky endeavour to run the coach between* Oparau and Kawhia all through the winter have been many, and no one knows what the cost has been to Mr. Boesen, but by the persistent way that -. ill-luck has followed him A is plain that it must have been indeed great. The. latest addition to the already long list happened on Tuesday, when on going to change teams at Te Itau-a-moa Mr. Boesen was astounded to find two -of his best horses were dead. Mr. D. Cox and family, who have resided here for the past three years/leave next week for To Rau-a-moa. to take over the boarding-house there again. - ' " ■ Word has been received from the Minister for Public Works that a trial survey of the proposed line between Kawhia Harbour and the Main Trunk line is impracticable at present because "there is no suitable officer available to do the survey'." The local Railway League has issued 10,000 envelopes, setting forth reasons , why .the Kawhia ' Harbour Railway should be constructed. -' ■] Great dissatisfaction is expressed here (in common with many, other places) at the new Land ..The. annual meeting of the Kawhia Harbour i Lawn. Tennis Club was held on Wednesday list, when the following officers were elected:—Patron, Mr. Greensiade, MJt.R.; president, Mr. Mason; vice-president. Mr. Jonathan; Executive Committee, Messrs. 'McCarthy, Newton, Baird, E. Falwasser, and Newton; secretary and theasurer. Mr. McCarthy; Match Committee, Messrs. Jonathan, Newton, and McCarthy; handicapper, Mr. Jonathan; handicapped to handicap , Mr. Jonathan, Messrs. Baird and Pewit. . _ ■■■• „,.. . , , HUNUA. . ~ . ~...„.'-. We are having a very early, spring in Humia, fully a month in advance of the usual seasons, the weather being very line .and growth rapid, though whilst I write there -is a general feeling that rain is wanted. ! ''","■".' •> ~ ": The Hiinua Butter Factory is having ', a good supply of milk, and many, of the suppliers, anti. cipate reaching the maximum of price by the maximum of butter-fat per cow. Mr. ? Hold, the factory manager, is turning out a very satisfactory butter, having reached 924 in the grading by the Government expert. The above, is being i brought about by top-dressing and heavy manuring.- ' '"':' «»»•»■» •'■"•* ?""' ''•"'''• "■ '■ The lambing season., is just over,, : and from the information I gather results havo been a great improvement upon last season. lluuua flocks are decreasing owing to the dairy, industry, which no doubt pays better upon small holdings. The Railway League is on. the' alert re the, Taeroa-viarHunua . route. t0.., Auckland, which they contend is the shortest, and will open up a far larger area of country than any- of the other proposals, viz., Pokeno, Wairangi, or Drury. ■'* There is a very strong feeling in Hunua and surrounding districts, Poupa and Paparimu, at the land proposals of the Ward Ministry. All hands declare that the freehold was the thing that lured them to this side of the globe. One individual declares. that when he is beaten for a freehold in New Zealand he will leave for the nearest country where one can be got. ■ M Show sheep from .the Motley Farm stud flock ■ are. leaving -Hunua this week. .- ... - : ■'- v- , GLEN MURRAY.' ' Friday last was a real' red-letter day in our township. Dr. Neligan, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, accompanied by the Rev, Frank Dobson, vicar of Pukekohe.'of whoso large parish we are am outlying portion, arrived from Rangirin,- via the Opiiatia River, about noon, and after being entertained at lunch by Mr. and Mrs. Mnloney met us at the schoolroom. Mr. Dobson.conducted the service, the Bishop delivering an eloquent and practical ,-address, dwelling -much. on..the, difficulties settlers in the isolated . country . districts have to face in meeting for public worship and the - desired observance by t every' family of t lie Sabbath Day. We had a record gathering, the singing, led by Miss Turner at the piano, .was extremely hearty. After service, tea and < cake, provided in overabundance by, the ladies of the. settlement, was handed round, affording an opportunity. of social chat,.of which the Bishop fully availed himself. Much too soon the Bishop time was up, and after a general good-bye all round he left us, accompanied by Mr. Dobson and piloted by Messrs. Willis and ■ Worsp, for Warramarama, to fill an engagement there ; and at many another place, as the Bishop is one of the hardest-worked men in the province. The. schoolroom was prettily decorated with flowers, ferns, and flags, for which our thanks are due to Mrs. Church and her willing helpers. To our .schoolmaster and Mrs.. Church we ire much indebted for their indefatigable efforts in seeing to the comfort, arid enjoyment of all present, In© function was a great success, leaving behind it » pleasant memory, which, will abide with all who had the privilege of being present. ■ '.- ,' -.. The season so -far has been very favourableenough rain, much sunshine, and not over strong winds. Grass, our main crop, though short, looks fresh and green,-promising plenty of feed in the near future. Stock are healthy, .though perhaps low in condition.- ' Lambs > are ; abundant Mid strong. Potatoes are, strong, but not .without signs of. coming disease.' " , ■ ..V . HAMILTON. >.'., '; :".,»', This monthly meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Monday eveninc.- The president (Mr. G. W. Sare) presided. A letter was 1 received from the Chief Engineer of Roads stating that the question of providing for the "•WhataWhata-to-Waitetuna Road deviation would be considered when the Estimates were being framed. The district engineer of railways advised that the application for a siding to the Hamilton saleyards had been referred to the chief engineer. The Inspector of telegraphs wrote that the establishment ■ of telephone commumcat on with Auckland was receiving attention, un tll « motion of Mr. A. McDiarmid, it was resolved to request the Department of Justice to reappoint » bailiff at Hamilton., The necessity for the increased accommodation ', for ■ the District High School is to be represented to the Board of Ed* Cation - . , KARANGAHAKE. *.. . , . ' The anniversary services of the. Karangahake United Sunday-school were held on Sunday last. The speakers were the. Rev. Mr• Cfierwood, of Auckland, in the afternoon, and. the .Rev. Mr. SnaddonT'o Paeroa, in the evening. The. conlegations sat each, service were law. and the sinzins- bv the scholars was very pleasing. ,On Monday evening .the- annual children's entertainment was held in the same building, which was crowded A fine programme of action songs, recitations -and" solos was ! presented. A feature of thi, year's gathering was, the excellent lantern entertainment providd' by Messrs. J. Collings and D CowderV, of Auckland. The report and Glance-sheet showed the school to be } in a very prosperous state. - < -,