NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13455, 6 April 1907, Page 3

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[from on? own correspondents.] HENDERSON. IF Henderson is to continue to 1)9 th» resort of tile picnicker it is time it reserve lor their convenience was secured. By the public-spirited action taken by one of our residents, bucked by the support of others and the assistance of Messrs. lard and Alison, M.Q.R.'s, six acres s.n the old racecourse has already been usaotteJ us a public reserve. Its permanent vestment ill local trustees is a nwitter which we are assured will bo zuttenricd to in rfuo eon rue, As far us it gwea tins is a, very suitable piece of ground for tho purpose. two-thirds of it being native bush bordering a creek and the other third level ffrasb paddooh. it another four-acro section of grass could bo added to it it would make a- small, but ideal, picnicking reserve. Those visitors who come among us and recognise the rights of private property are unreservedly welcome, but is erne c4-as« watch appears to look upon a country district »ui-h as ours as little other than u raiding ground lor the city ox^nr^im^t. They will walls rough a settler's uronurty nnd ,»a.ve every gate open Wehin* t£em and make a pathway through a stanettirg crop with the same shortsightedness and absence of thought that marks this cfass everywlkere. It is no doubt chivalrous lor tr.o men to take a ntu out of a fence and beat down tao six barb wires so that ladies cam walk on without inconvenient obstruction or .danger to flying hlsirts; but, all the same, it is rough on the astonished countryman who built the fence aud who lias to rebuild it. NORTHERN WAIROA. " The annual meeting of the Km para Chamber of Commerce was lieid at Daigaviile on VV«d»»»day la«t. The election of officers respited an follow: —President, M. Harding; viee-piveklcnt<S, 'T. *1? a , nt ' 11. .i. St nt ; secretary mid treat re r, E. T. Field (re-elected); auditor, J. fioflg; comi nit tee, F. Day. A. Elliot, T. Jc*ie«, A. Harding, C. . La Roche, A. StaUworthy, E. Harding, Captain Smith, A. Gregory, and F. HmgavitJc. Th« secretary's honorarium was fixed nt £10. Rule 10 was altered to allow rlie committee in each year to 1\ day of meeting, The committee' met immediately after W/e general meeting and Hxed the fourth Wednesday in each month for day of meeting. On May 22 a general meeting will bo held at Ilelensville at 10 a.m.

Messrs. Ilrown and Lane are, in connection with the raisi'if of the Wui-rti, working on a modified application of the principle U»f»r« tried, lixtra ropes are being used, ana nil ions are l*ing made lor a much heavier fctrain than was j>o«sibli; during the first attempt to lift the vessel. The derricks on shore are to be dispensed with; four shear!egg are put on the keel, 1 n/itrud of three as formerly, and instead of the cables from Hie winches running over tin- wiieiirhigs and connecting with the mases, they arc connected only indirectly, l>«jng fastened to fiutleys at die top of the sheaiieg*. The t-h/ririt-gs urc connected from the top with he broken masts and vessel. This alteration is an important one, and will have the effect of utilising the fchearlegw until the vessel Is rolled rignt tm to a safe position. Mr. W. F. Mafse-y, Lettdcr of the Opposition, spoke in the DaTywrUle Hall on Mondar to a. large andisnee. He defliifc aJmost excltisivtilv with the provision* of file Land Hill, his chief contention being for th<j option of freehold. Ho urged that the native lajids nearer Uie large ooetre.s should be put on the footijrg as Bttropean lands for uarewtrioted sale. He conhidM'e.i a J tvis'T for Lar.dp should hate some qualification* for hi* office, which Mr. Me Nab had not, arid objected to Miiuswrs travslUng round on their salaries to force an objecWonj'ble Bill on to the j>e<n>le. Mr. .Vaeeey received a hearty vote of thanks for hifl address.

The Northern Wairoa Amateur .School Sports (combined) were held at Ar.iUpu 011 Saturday, whe*i ,1 rr.it crowd a«iemM»d. Tho norrteieia were ke*>ti. The Maypole exhibitions provided a fin* du-play, the DarjfavjlV; tom» being particularly good. Hi" Dargaville school carried off the banner and the cup. The Kaipara Rowing Club has purchased the old Htore ui Kopuru from tJw* Kami limber Company, and t-bcv in'ond to nrove it to (heir section cm rtio fore*hore.

Ihe fiiaerul of the late Miss Perkins took pkvtf at Mount Wesley on Sunday, the Key. Willi) officiating. A large number of mourner* attended.

A young man was churned at the A ratafia PoHre Court on Friday, before Mee«n». Welrfi ■>mi Stubbs, J.P.'e, witii runferine** and using bad language on the Mititai tThtui-f. Mr. Field appeared for accused, and pleaded guilty to both efearsw, asking that a lenient sentence I* indicted and a prohibition order tamed against the accused. After hearing evidence, the Hviu-h did not consider the ea.-e one for leniency. The accused was convicted on both ehjrcw, and fined for drunkenness 5» and 7* ew. and for obscene la»ffu»*e £3. with costs £1 4s 3d. A prohibition order was fanned ajwinet (he accused. At the Magistrate's Court, Dargtivifle, on Monday, A. Mori-, a prohibited person, net convicted on a charge of drunkenness and fined 20f. in default 43 hours' imprisonment. A. E Harding proceeded against two Austrian* for wilful trespass and neglect to leave hi.? gurotield when warned. Messrs. Shepherd and Cad a ore the. Austrian# had been warned. whereat the AlMtria) as denied this. Mr. Field, for the Aiistraos. said it. was evident that the criminal law had been wrongfully set in motion to extort a civil payment. In one case defendant was convicted and ordered to pav coftf, £3 9s. oj in default seven day#. Mr. Field asked for increase of fine to allow him to appeal, which t.h« Bench refused. The informants withdrew tho second cast', paying all tiie costs. J