NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13613, 5 December 1907, Page 3

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDLNTS.] TUAKAU. WITH the advent of warm weather the nuisance caused by drainage discharged on the railway property has again made itself evident, so much so that on Saturday last a deputation waited upon the stationmaster (Mr. Bell) asking him to ugain draw the attention of the- officials of his Department to tho matter. The New Zealand Dairy Association are putting in a new drain ho as to discharge their drainage lower, down the creek,, where it will bo emptied into the running water. WAIUKU. THE success of Mr. Eber Hardball with his sheep exhibits in the Shropshire and Lincoln classes at be Auckland Show is deserving of mention. Mr. Barriball evidently established I a record, as out of 20 entries he secured 20 prizes, including four champion certificates,' nine first prizes out of 'a possible ten, six second prizes, and five third prizes. The Shropshire ram hogget which was shorn also established a record clip for the showground, the fleece weighing 16ilb. The weight of the best clip last year was 1131b. Mr. J. It. McEhvain's Lincoln ■ ram hogget .clipped 33ajlb, which is &,, record for the show-ground. WARKWORTH. A MEETING of the Presbyterian congregation was held in the church, Warkworth. to consider a proposal to give a call to the Rev. J. Mackie. 'the Rev. Robey (moderator) presided. After a decidedly warm meeting the call was delayed, Mr. Mack le' in the meanwhile to have temporary charge. The Town Board question is tho question ; of the hour. The requisite number of names, nave been affixed to the petition to be forwarded to His Excellency. There are some ~ opponents to the proposal, but over 30 ratevers' and ■ householders, have signed tho petition. '■'; :■■■"" ■ RAGLAN". ' " ■ "'•'-"> •' A COACH is now running daily each way between Raglan and Frankvon junction, and will continue .to do so .during the summer months., .A large number of. Waikato people have boohed accommodation, at the hotels and boarding-houses, and it. ia anticipated that thero will be , a much bigger influx of visitors, than usual this summer. ... '■■■ ; j .'. It had .been hoped-that the Hank of New | Zealand, which had been approached on the matter, would open a branch. at Raglan, but to the disappointment of the business people and trading concerns, the head office of (he bank at Wellington has decided to. leave the matter in. abeyance at present. Messrs. Wallis Bros., of Okete, have received a certificate entitling them to a gold medal for their flax exhibit at . the Christchurch Exhibition 'v.' ; ; v , .. .: !'_ / WAIMARINO. " - A MOVEMENT, originating from the Progressive Association, is being made in the direction of having increased railway facilities to and from Onakune. At the llaugataua station yards a crossing has been formed and metalled, the road now running right into the yard. Large quantities of material have lately been unloaded at this station, many teams being now engaged carting to and from Eaetihi and Onakune. Tho darting of the Raetihi Sawmilling Company's ■ mill has been postponed until after the New Year.-- The steel tramway from the mill to the railway will be gone on with when the rails come to hand. '■«"■; CAMBRIDGE. • A, WELL attended meeting of the Cambridge branch of the W.C.T.U. was. held in the gymnasium room on Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. , Gow (president) occupied . the- •ehA r. Miss Griffin, from Whangarei, was present, -and made' some helpful suggestions. '■• Several resolutions were .passed;'and after discussing '. various subjects, the meeting.closed with the singing of the- union's special doxology. FEN COURT. THE Fencourt Drainage Board met on Friday. Mr. R. Swayne presiding. The straightening and alterations to the main drain have caused some of the sections to be divided in a different manner to what they" ■, were formerly, and a number of the Government .tenants whoso properties are affected desire thai the: boundaries as altered by the drain should bo substituted for the former ones. These matters have, led to correspondence between the Board'and the Commissioner of Crown Lauds, the latest communication from the latter being to the effect that the only way was for the settlers to transicr the different .pieces affected from ono to the other. It would, of course, he necessary for the settlers to get a survey made by an authorised surveyor. The Board thought it would be an unnecessary expense for the tenants to incur, and it was resolved to further communicate with tho Commis- : sioner on the point. Notice to strike a general, rate was given as follows:— lands in class 1, Id ill the £; lands in class 2, 3d in the.£; lands in class 3, id in the «£. OPOTIKI. • A LARGE, number of bushfellers have been in Opotiki during the last week or two, as thev have- finished their contracts in the back country. An extensive area of bush has been felled, and settlers are now ordering their grass seed preparatory to sowing as early as possible. Mr. Chas. O'Reilly, while fishing at The Narrows; caught a fine large sehnapper the other evening. The fish turned the scale ati 14Jlb after being cleaned. Mr. J. ■ Case, of the Agricultural Department, has taken up his permanent residence in Opotiki, and will act under Mr. J. : K. Burkill, who is in charge at TaurangaMr. A. B. Wright, district roads engineer, arrived in Opotiki by the overland coach on .Wednesday,, November 27. on his usual tour r of inspection.- In company with the assistant road engineer, Mr. E. M. Donaldson, Mr. Wright, has visited Waimana, Waiotahi, and 'Waiooka. As the engineer travelled through the district he was greatly impressed with the rapid strides in the way of settlement the whole coast is making. . ■■ Settlers who were successful in tho last two ballots are vigorously engaged in bringing their sections into profitable use. A very large tract.• of country will be laid down with grass during the present season, and stock, estimated-at between 60'000 and 70,000 sheep, will be required next autumn to stock the land that has boen brought in during the last two rears. The following are the areas of bush felled this year preparatory to sowing in January and February next:—Waimana Block, 3300 acres; Waiotahi Valler. 1160; Waioeka Valley. 3413; Otara Vallev. 2010; Papamoa, 650; WhitilKiu. 290. In addition to the bush country, being ■: brought* into'grass, a' very large tract of fern land is also being brought into cultivation and;'sown with turnip .and rape. Given favourable conditions at time of sowing, the estimate 4 that some 70,000 sheep; will be. required next autumn and winter is a-moder-ate one. ■.- "•'.',' ,i .■■.,-,;. ■. A chopping match for .£4O a-side took place' in Covmellv's paddock on Wednesday. November 27, and a very large number assembled to witness the contest, including; many-bush-rae'nwho had come to town expressly to witness the match. As "was'expected, the, visitor pulled off the match,, although if,. waß a Close' finish.' Kelly 1 finishing only ten strokes behind his opponent. O'Snllivan accomplish- j ed his task in four minutes. Both compete- '. Xors were loudly cheered at the close, of the f contest. ~ ;. -'. , i'» : "'- : '"v# '. ■'.'. ' i ■■'.';v.T'