COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13673, 14 February 1908, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS.

WHAXGAREI.

[fiV TELEGRAPH. —OWX COERKSt'OKOKNT.}

"Whasgabei, Thursday. At the distribution of prize* at the High School to the successful pupils during 1907 the following were included in the prize Hf>t: Form VI.: LanguagesHiida, Heward. Mathematics—A. Pearce. Form V.: English Gertrude Mead. Mathematics— Maggie MoKinuon. Physiology lX. Kelly. Latin— Hocken. French—Dot Crane. Form IV.: English—F. Haigh. Mathematics—W. Pearoe. French— McPhee. Physiology—l). Jervis. Form III.: English—A. Beasley. Mathematics—S. Lovatt. Latin and French—A. Beasley. Science—S. Lovatt. Book-keeping—!?. Lovatt. Drawing—H. Grief. Form If.: English—Hilda Fleming. Mathematics — P. Hobart. Latin —Hilda Fleming. French—Vida- Wright. Science—C, MfcKenzie. Drawing— Wright. Woodwork (drawing)—W. Pearce. Woodwork (benchwork) —S. Lovatt. Cookery—Ella Slacken, 1; Mary Robertson and Joan Storey, 2.

A strong committee, representing Hikurangi residents, decided to hold a Hospital Sunday demonstration on March 15.

WAIHI. '[By. XriBORAI'H.—-OWN CO-RESPONDENT.] Waihi, Thursday. The monthly meeting of the Waihi Borough Council was he in the Council Chamber last evening, the Mayor (Mr. Thomas Gilmour) in the chair. The town clerk submitted declarations showing that 73540z of gold had been purchased m the borough during the past month, and intimated that Treasury remittances received amounted to £2181 12s' 2d. A letter was received from the Works Department intimating that the flying survey of the proposed Waihi-Tauranga railway line had been put in hand, and would be pushed forward with all possible despatch. The Valuer-General wrote intimating that the Assessment Court in connection with the valuation of the properties in the Waihi district would sit shortly, and invited the local body to appoint a representative. The Council appointed Mr. W. M. Wallinitt as one of the assessors. An application from the Waihi Hospital Trustees for a grant of £250, together with the accruing subsidy for hospital purposes, was granted. Reporting on the samples of water submitted from the borough supply for analysis, Mr. J. A. Pond, colonial analyst, stated that the water was of first-class quality. Fifteen applications were received for the position of cadet in the town clerk's office, and the ballot resulted in. the selection of F. Slevin. Accounts totalling £1540 18s 5d were passed for payment. .The district fund account showed a debit balance of £18,969 Bs* 9d. The engineer, in the course of his report, stated that owing to the continued drought the borough water supply was being slightly affected, the daily consumption being rather above the flow. As it was quite possible that the drought would continue well into March, he suggested the construction of a dam for storage, and that garden hoses should not be used after seven p.m. in the meantime. The recommendations were adopted. Pursuant to notice, Mr. D. Donaldson moved, " That any resolution on the books of tile Council contrary to the following is hereby rescinded : That, in view of the great advantages to the youth of the town of technical education, the following question be submitted to the ballot at the forthcoming Mayoral election:' Should the Borough Council contribute a sufficient sum to ensure the erection of a technical school in Waihi? (estimated amount required from the •borough, £300).'" Mr. E. V. Turnbull seconded the motion, and spoke in support, and after some, discussion the motion was 1 carried by six votes to four, the mover, with the consent of the Council, increasing the amount to be voted from the borough funds from £300 to £500. ■ •

i Last evening, in the Miners' Union Hall, .the Rev. W. White, who was recently inducted .to the charge of the Waihi.Presbyterian Church, was tendered a welcome social by tho church members, adherents, and friends. The Revs. Gow (chairman), Maine (Thames), Newbold, Woolloxall, Buckland.- Spottiswood, mid Nome,' and Mr. J. -Foster, ..representing various denominations, were, among the speakers. A capital musical programme wa.s furnished by the church choir and.orchestra, assisted by several vocalists, During the evening, Mr. ■C. J. Saunders, the late, secretary of the church, who is leaving the district, was tho recipient of a case of fruit knives and forks.

HAMILTON. [from otm own- conßEsi'oymivr.] Hamilton, Thursday. At the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, Mr. H. W. Northcroft, S.M., presided. Several small debt cases were adjudicated upon. A man named Robert Burns, for breach of- prohibition order, was fined £2„ and 7s costs. A sheep-worrying case occupied the* Court for some time. W. H. Knock proceeded against P. G. Turner to recover £31 10s, the estimated value of sheep destroyed. After hearing evidence on both sides, the plaintiff was nonsuited. Mr. Gillies appeared for the claimant, and Mr. Swarbiick for defendant. OTAHUHU. [from OIK OWN correspondent.] A long-felt want is being supplied by the erection of the bathing sheds on the Tamaki River, which will be available for use in a few days. A shelter for .ladies has been erected on the beach at the foot of Princes-street, the men's shelter being situated at an equally favourable spot further up.

The local corps of the Salvation Army held a most successful entertainment on Wednesday night, when 23 members of the Auckland City Corps came out and gave a good programme. Talks by . exCaptain Derail and Bandmaster Tremain were attentively listened to by the large audience.

Progress is being made with the canvass for donations to the memorial to the late Mr. S. Luke, the idea being heartily commended by many persons outside Otahuhu to whom the matter has been mentioned.

MAUKI.T. [l-P.OM OUn OW'S COKRESPONTjKXT.]

The Waiuku Railway League and its branches at Mauku and Packington are taking steps to advance the proposed branch line, and notify that the different branches or the Waiuku Raifway League have made arrangements for a party of members of Parliament and prominent citizens of Auckland to be driven through the district to Ix; served by the proposed railway so as to give them an idea or the splendid resources of the country and to enlist their assistance in securing the railway connection with the main line. The party is expected to rtareu Waiuku about 1.30 p.m. on March 3. The route outward will be from I'ukekohe through Patumahoe and West Mauku and on to Waiuku by the main road, returning through' Paekington and on to Pukekohe. by the Union Road. The proposed short railway will benefit a large number of eettler% many of whom have done their share to convert the district from rough bush to its present prosperous state. The ladle* will provide afternoon tea at the West Mauku school for the visitors on their return journey to Pukekohe. ' \