MATATMATA ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13369, 26 December 1906, Page 4

MATATMATA ITEMS.

[PROM OUR OWN roRRIvSI'OXni.NT.]

Tub weather in this locality is still exceedingly rv and hot, and although it is all that can bo desired for the extensive haymaking and harvesting operations at present going on, water is becoming somewhat scarce and more rain is generally needed.

A petition praying for the opening for traffic of the Turangaomoana-Waharoa Road has- been numerously signed by local ratepayers and presented to the Piako County Council.

Petitions praying for grants out of the unauthorised expenditure for the purpose of repairing the creamery road at To Uruwhao and the Wardvillc-Manawaru Swamp Road are being forwarded through the member for Waikato to the Minister for Public Works.

On Sunday afternoon the Rev. ,J. T. McWilliam (Anglican) preached an interesting and instructive home mission sermon to a large congregation in tho Waharoa schoolroom. In the evening the Rev. Mr. Richards (Wesleyan) held a Christmas servico in the Waharoa schoolroom, special hymns being sung. There was a large attendance.

Tho Waharoa schoolboys recently, journeyed to Matamata and played a cricket match with the local .school representatives, who defeated them by the narrow margin of one run.

Tho Gordon Lawn Tennis Club has it-; court almost finished and ready for opening. Although there are now five tenuis clubs in this locality no inter-club matches have ■-"> far been arranged.

The Piako Mounted Rifle corps in Matamata promises to be a most prosperous one, a large number of members having recently joined, Lieutenant Moore proving himself a most efficient officer. On Saturday last on Mr. Moore's range at the Peria the Ma'.tmata volunteers fired tin local civilian-!, ten men aside, and the volunteers wort by 32 points. The shooting, however, was most creditable all round.

Towards the end of the week all the local schools broke up for the annual Christina* holidays, most, of the teachers having gone to town to spond the vacation. (In Tlnirday the Matamata school children, parent.-, teachers, and friends held the annual picnic, a. very large number being present. James and races were enthusiastically indulged in, every child present receiving a prize of some sort J„ the evening a very - enjoyable dance whs held in the local hall. Ou the same tiny the Aratiatia district school held its picnic, a vorv pleasant and enjoyable nav ' bene spent, the. proceedings consisting of games and races, all the children receiving prizes. here are at present quite a large number of visitors spending the holidays in thi< locality, trout fishing in the local streams being the principal attraction, some of the anglers having secured very good hauls