COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13692, 7 March 1908, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAlllf.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waihi, Friday. Mi:. Thomas Gilmoub, .Mayor of Waihi, has intimated that he will again contest the Mayoralty at the forthcoming election. The other candidates so far announced are Messrs. J. Newth and D. Donaldson.

Owing to the wet weather the authorities decided to adjourn the formal opening of the cadet rifle range, fixed for this afternoon, until next week. :.Y fire broke out in the bakehouse at the back of Mr. .1. Newclick's business premises, in Seddon-street. just before seven o'clock this morning, but was got tinder control by the fire brigade before, any serious damage was done.

OTAHUHLT.

[KBOM OUR, OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

The hand of Hone held its first meeting for this session on Thursday night in the Masonic Hall. Proceedings commenced with a soiree, and subsequently the election ot officers for the ensuing session took place, Mr. G. llavill being re-elected superintendent, Mr. F. Discombe secretary, and Mr. T. W. Phillips treasurer, with a committee of 15. A good programme of musical items was gone through. '~ The monthly meeting of the Road Board was held on Thursday, Mr. J. Todd presiding. A letter was read from the Auckland Gas Company, stating that their men would proceed with the erection of the street lamps next week. It was resolved to take proceedings against ratepayers whose rates ai'3 unpaid. Mr. Sturges reported that in connection with the contemplated water supply for Otnhuhu he had arranged to proceed next week with an exhaustive test, to I ascertain the quantity of water available, and Mr. Suggate, the engineer, would supervise the tests The monthly meeting of the W.C.T.U. local branch . was held • on Thursday afternoon in the Methodist Church. Miss Powell presided, and introduced the subject of "Alcohol as a Medicine," upon which an interesting discussion ensued. Otahuhu was benefited greatly by the heavy rain which fell some time yesterday afternoon, all danger of a water famine being now at an end. HUNT I.Y. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] In order to give the members of the church and the pupils of the Sunday-school an opportunity of saving good-bye to Mr. ami Mrs. H. and Mr. and Mrs. D. Nicholson, who contemplate taking up their future abode in Scotland, a social was held in the Presbyterian Church on Monday night, Mr. R. Gordon Kirgan, the home missionary, presiding over a large attendance. An enjoyable musical programme was presented. Mr Nicholson, sen., was presented with a wallet, . Mrs. Nicholson, sen., receiving an umbrella, while the gifts to Mi. and Mrs. Nicholson, jun., took the form of a writingcas> and a "Peggy" bag. [FltOV OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] RAGLAN. Mr. 11. Whittaker, a gentleman who has had some farming experience in South Canterbury, has bought 500 acre--, including the homestead, of Mr. Arthur .Sutton's Waltetuata property. Mr. Sutton intends building a residence on another part of his land. Though the creameries are now on the point of closing for want of a iufllclent supply of milk to keep them running, in the ordinary course, next season should make up for the shortcomings of this. The comity engineer lias been in the district arranging for additional contracts in connection with the loan expenditure*. There is a great scarcity of labour, and the progress of road works is retarded in consequence. ARK WORTH, i The chief postmaster at Auckland (Mr. Hold*worth) paid a visit to Warkworth last week, when an influential deputation, backed by a largelysigned petition, waited upon him respecting the unsuitafji'.ity of the present post Office. The ollice, owing to the large, increase of business, has been recently placed on a higher guide, and a better and up-to-date building is urgently needed, both for business purposes and decent accommodation for our respected officer. the buildings are old, addition upon addition having been made, without any design whatever. The consequence i* a,building of very little worth. Mr. llold*worlh paid great attention to ilia details given, and promised office help at once, suitable to the work, but could give no promise about the building. The deputation thanked the chief and then wired to the Postmaster-General, sinking him to pay Warkworth a visit. Sir .Joseph Ward replied that if it were possible to include Warkworth in his itinerary he would, but would wire later on. ..-— Welcome ram has fallen, tud although not copious was enough to damp out'the bush (ires, which were destroying a lot of valuable hush. fence*, etc. Water has been told in the township, a thing which has -never happened here, before, Mr, Greiivea, Health Department, paid a flying visit to us on account Of scarlet fever breaking out near the township. The, case* are Very mild. The County Council arc having Wurkwortb Wharf put into order. Many have thought that the time had come when' the Council would tackle the new wharf scheme, seeing that the old wharf at best is only a makeshift, and In about as awkward a spot it* could be w.jl got. The lees from the wharf would cover a loan of, say, AM; 00, which would go a long way toward putting up a wharf worthy of our growing district. ' ' . , Ti: AISOHA. , The Te Aioha School Committee met on Monday, when it was unanimously decided to urge upon the Education Board that in all schools the animal classification of the pupils should be made at lite end of the year. 'Hie Hon. (Jeoige Howlds (Minister for Education) ariived at Te Alttha from Kotoiua by the 1.25 p.m. train on Tuesday, lie was met at the station by Mr. K. 1,. Somen (Mayor and chairmen of the School Committee), Dr. Kemiv (real- ; ,;■ tsi medical ntllcer), and Mr. il. Poland. M.I». During toe afternoon the Minister visited the Te J Artiha District High School and addressed the ! pupils.