COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13708, 26 March 1908, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAIN I

[BY TKI.KOH A I'll. — OWN COJUtKSPONOKNT.]

Waihi, Wednesday. ! TKNDKRS have been called by tho Public Works Office for tho extension of the Waihi Post and Telegraph Office Buildings, which arc now inadequate' for tho increasing volume of business. Unfavourable weather caused the authorities to bring the school cadet camp at Omahu to a close earlier than had been intended, and (he Waihi boys returned home by rail this afternoon. The tegular meeting of the local branch of the H.A.0.8.5. was held last evening, and was well attended. One new member was initiated, and two were proposed. Alter the routine business had. boon transacted, the remainder of the evening was spent in harmony, and during an interval the president (Bro. Graham) presented past presidents' certificates, handsomely framed, to Bros. Reid and Daley, P.P.'s. PAEROA. [BY 'XKLKQRAM. OWN* COKRESt'ONDKNT.] Paeeoa, Wednesday. The school cadets returned this afternoon from the camp at Omahu. It had been intended to continue the camp until to-morrow, but owing to the heavy rain last night and to-day it was deemed advisable to break up to-day. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] HAMILTON. The Te Rapa School Committee met on Friday evening. It was decided to ask the Board to erect a shelter-shed at the school. Tho question of establishing a high school was considered, and a motion was carried binding the committee to support the movement. On Saturday Mr. and Mrs. S. Hardley, sen., of Hamilton, celebrated their golden wedding. Forty-four relatives, including sons and daughters, with their wives and husbands, grandchildren, and one great grandchild, met at Mataroa, the residence of Mr. W. C. Davis, son-in-law of the aged couple, Congratulatory speeches were made by representatives of each generation, and by the sons-in-law, Messrs. W. C. Davis, J. K. Low, and R. K. Dowle, of Auckland. Mr. and .Mrs. Hardley were married in 1858, at Thorpe, near Peterborough, England, and in 1863 they came to New Zealand, and passed through many stirring experiences in the early days. TK AWAMUTU. Mr. William Voice, a local blacksmith, died in the Hamilton Hospital on Friday last. The remains were interred in the Te Awamutu cemetery on Sunday. CAMBRIDGE. A meeting of the shareholders of the Cambridge Dairy Company was Held on Saturday, to consider tne advisabieness of rebuilding tne central factory at Hautapu in brick. There was a. large attendance, and in the absence of the chairman of directors (Mr. J. Taylor), Mr. .Jno. Fisher was voted to the chair. A statement was read by, the secretary (Mr. Jiartin Butler), to the effect that unless the matter of rebuilding was faced it would be necessary to spend about £350 to comply with the requirements of the Dairy Department. A careful estimate had been prepared of the cost of a, new building in brick, which would be about £1.700. '1 he question was discussed at considerable length, a resolution finally being carried that arrangements be made with, the Bank of New Zealand to advance the money required, the amount borrowed to be repayable in annual instalments within a period of 10 years, and that plan 3 and specifications be prepared, and the work proceeded with as speedily as possible. The monthly meeting of the Cambridge branch of the Waikato Farmers' Club was held on Monday evening. There was a large attendance of, members, the president (Mr. Martin Butler) presiding. Mr. Edwin Hall (secretary of the Auckland A. and P. Association) wrote asking for an expression of opinion in regard to the proposal to try j and get a night stock train from Auckland ' to the Waikato. It was decided that the first step was to get the auctioneers to sell on one day. If this could be arranged, then a night train for the conveyance of stock would be acceptable to the farmers. Mr. O. J. Garland (secretary of the Auckland branch of the N.Z.P.U.) wrote stating that the annual conference would be held in May; also that the question of farm labour and the advisabieness of joining the Employers' Union had been duly considered. It had been decided that it would be best for the union to stand alone. It was decided to hold the root show as usual in connection with the Cambridge chrysanthemum show. It was decided, on the recommendation of Mr. Edwin Hall, of Auckland, to invite Mr. J. W. McLarin. of East Tamaki, to deliver an address at the next meeting of the clnb on the subject of Modern Fanning.", Mr. .Richard Reynolds, who opened an interesting discussion on Grade Jerseys and Shorthorns, was accorded a vote of thanks.

WAIUKU. The cricket match, Mangere v. Waiuku, which was to have been played here on Saturday last, was postponed until April A, owing to the wet weather. Harvest thanksgiving services were held in Wesley Church on Sunday, Mr. Evans preaching in the morning and the Rev. J. J. Mather evening. There were good congregatftMs, and at the evening service the anthem "'The Earth is Full of Thy Riches" was excellently rendered by a strong choir. PAPARQA. The local branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union met on Saturday. It was resolved to request the officers to collect subscriptions for the current year, and in consequence of the small attendance it was resolved to adjourn for further business until Friday next. The rain has caused a temporary cessation of road works, and sufficient fine weather to complete the metalling contracts is greatly desired. MATAMATA. As the result of several months' work by the members of St. Andrew's Ladies' Guild, they were enabled to make a splendid display of work when the bazaar was opened on the 18tb inst. by .Mr. J. A. Young, of Hamilton. The well-laden stalls were arranged round the 'Woolshed Hall, the following ladies presiding over them : — Mesdamej Banks and O'Connell, men's goods; Misses Ad am son and Goodwin, ladies' and children's goods; Mrs. Stanley and Miss Tetley, refreshments: Mesdames Kelso and .Dormer, fancy goods; Mrs. Boss and Miss Browne, ladies' and children's goods; Mrs. McCaw, produce; Mrs. Tetley and Miss X. Adamson, supper room. Miss Stanley and Miss McDonald were in charge of the fishpond and bran tub. Numerous competitions were also in full swing. The bazaar was open all the following day. good business being done in the evening. The net returns amounted to over £120. Efficient service was rendered by Mrs. J. Price (secretary) and Mrs. Stanley (president), of the Ladies" Guild, upon whose shoulders most of the responsibility was laid. Mr. IT. T. Peat, who has been working most efficiently as Presbyterian Home Missionary in this district for the past 16 months, conducted his farewell service on Sunday evening, when St. Andrew's was packed to its fullest capacity. The choir rendered two anthems, and Miss Garland sang " He Wipes the Tear from Every Eye" most acceptably. TK PUKE. The slump in flax is likely to havMtm unpleasant effect in this district. The natives have for some years been solely dependent on the flux industry for a living, so that the closing of Messrs. Patersou and McEwan's .Pania mill will throw a large number af people out of employment. The other two mills will probably close down, leaving Mr. D. .1. McEwan's Tarire mill only in active operation. This mill will probably continue at present prices of fibre, as the owner has a good supply of green flax on his own property. There is no margin for royalties, so that millowners who have to buy' flax cannot get supplies. KAWIIJA. Owing to the low prices of flax the L'akoka mill has closed down. The mill at Marokopa will run for about, a month longer, and then the engine will ho used for sawing timber. The balance-sheet up to March 31. 1907. was presented at the last meeting of the Town Hoard, and was a unique document. The receipts were nil, and the expenditure ditto. The balance-sheet was signed by "J. K. Warburton. Controller and Auditor-General, and certified to as correct." Dissatisfactum exists here at the fact that plans for land in this district, balloted for on March 25, only arrived on the 15th, therefore many who intended going to see the sections were prevented from doing so. A very enjoyable picnic, under the auspices of the various branches of the Farmers' Union around the harbour, was held at Kakaunui on Tuesday, March 17, when a most enjoyable day was spent. There were 15; people present. At the, annual meeting of the local medical club on Saturday night, the secretary reported that the membership was only 24, as compared with over 50 the year previous. Mr A. W. Bahbage was re-elected chairman, and Mr. J. K. Newton secretary. The steamer service has been very much upset lately owing to the accident to the Waitangi. ami there has been no boat either to or from Waitara for tho past three weeksLarge Quantities of grass seed continue to i arrive-

TATJRAXGA. Work in connection with the erection „» the new ferroconcrete bridge at the, \v n V, tiiu River, between here and Katikat ?" making Suo . d P;°S- and it is anticipated that the structure will soon be ready for very B ood musters of tho mounted volim leers were m attendance at both afternoon •'.'"l evening parados un Thursday. lffi? ! "» "i the use '" the bayonet was imp ll » C h by Haft-Instructor Walker. Ou'Sl hntl thai, it is hardly likely that tl L ,L will attend the Auckland Easier maniuwS as the proposed arrangements are not eon Bidercd satisfactory. l con ' A rather cold snap has occurred during thf last few days. So far there has not heel any.hin,: |,ke a frost, but there is a pgg keen edge, and occasional cold showers ' A meeting: of builders and employees wa» held here on Th irsday evening, with th. object o, ascertaining whether Tannine i, included in the Northern Industrial DKtrirt Alter a good deal of discus-ion. Mr. .1 « Channel naive.l. "That a committee be an pointed to obtain information from the clerl of awards. Auckland, as to oar position ,5 the industrial district, and whether we- , a iJ in any way meet the application now boini put before the Court." This was second"! by Mr. Bursts, and eventually carried iman mously. Mr. 11. .1. Vicke-v and W. Comi-iv were appointed a committee to carrv out thi resolution. ' lu OPOTIKI. Mr. ,1. I!. Clow's new scow arrived on hoi first trip to Opotiki on Friday, when «hn brought about 5000 ft of timber. The H'aiotahi Valley has stood the drought! well, the- mijk cheque* at the factory, being very Little less than the previous month's. A bci'gy accident occurred on Tnesdii'v . March 17. at the mouth of the Waiotahi River by which several passengers were precipi' fated into the water. It appears that instead of taking (lie road the drivers tried to cross the river at low tide, but got into a hole, with the result thai all hands got a severe shock a- well as a good wetting. One of the passengers managed to seize thfi horses' heads, or the c aiseriucnces might, have been more serious. .Being a cold night the drive to Opotiki was anything but comfortable.

On March. 17 St. Stephen's Church was the scene of a pretty wedding, the contracting couple being Mr. Edward Charles Lord, second son of Mr. Lord, of Howick, and Miss Ftubv Bcrvl Parkinson, third daughter of Mr W. W. ]>~ Parkinson, of Opotiki. The bride was given away by her father, and looked winsome in a handsome dress of white silk, trimmed with white lace. The Lev W. H. Ikiwden officiated at the ceremony, and the : happy pair left for Whakatano immediately after the wedding: breakfast, which took place at the residence of the bride'- parents, White Island. The new Presbyterian Church at Taneatua was opened on Sunday, the loth inst.. when, the Rev. <!. M. Macdonald, of Opotiki, Moderator of the charge, presided. • Mr. J. B Gow. of Opotiki. clerk ol the Opotiki session, who had fostered the charge, cave a sketch of the history of -the congregation from its inception. >.nd the Rev. V,'. Wyllie, of Auckland, preached an eloquent bermem on "Thou art Christ, and upon this rock I wil'i build mv church The Lev. G. M. Macdor.cld preached in the evening. The church is very neat and well finished, and is a credit to Taneatua and the congregation that worships in it. It is capable of seating 120. Large congregations were present at both morning and evening services The praise was led by a large choir, which was assisted by several members from the choir of St. John's. Opotiki. In connection with Ihe ripening services a picnic was held in the Waimana Gorge on the following Tuesday, and this was largely attended.

ARIA AND KAEAfeA. Splendid rain has fallen, which is bringing th« young grass along splendidly. Given no shaip frosts afterwards for some time there will bo splendid feed for the winter. .Mr. Tolme, the Crown lands ranger, is very busy inspecting the holdings of the unfortunate settlers who had their grass burnt. It will come verv hard on some of them this winter. The caterpillar has been creating great havoc in the pastures of some of the settlers. RAGLAN'. The Claymore, which it is understood is to replace the Waitangi in the Onehunga-Raglan-Kawhia trade, has paid her first visit to the port. Her passenger accommodation is a decided improvement on the Waitangi's, and the travelling puclic will appreciate the change. The steamer brought a large quantity of grass seed, and this was supplemented a day or two later by a further delivery by the Muritai, which, made a special trip from "Onehunga for the purpose. • Grass-seed laden vehicles are familiar objects on the roads just now, and settlers will be busy for some little time to come sowing their fire-swept clearings. In this connection it may be mentioned that a good many of those who arc taking advantage of the Government relief scheme declare that they would be better pleased if they were called upon to pay interest on the advances made to them for the purchase of grass seed, as in that case they would feel less like recipients of charity at the public expense. Ten days' continuous dry weather since the break-up of the drought on' the 7fh inst.. made settlers welcome rain again at the end of fa»t week. There is a considerable fall in the temperature, and fear is expressed that frosts w-iV. stop the growth of grass and. turnips, upoi which so much depends. HGNTJA. i On Saturday. 21st inst., Mr. Lang, member fo» I Manukau, paid a flying visit to (Kail, Clevedon, and Hunua to open the tourist bridge connect* ing the above three districts, and which ere long will provide a road to the Hunua Falls, which will give motorists and anglers an opportunity to enjoy a week-end trip to the .falls. Mr. . Lang gave a shirt, address, and Messrs. Walsh and White also spoke. A ribbon was at eacb end of the bridge cut by Mesdames White and Walsh, and Mr. Lang declared the bridge open. We conQue to have nice, light showers, good for land in tillage, new grass, and oats. Old pasture is slow to move, being very dry under the sod. ■ OXEWHERO. A large gathering of residents assembled in ' the Cential Hall on Thursday evening to bid farewell to Mr. and .Mrs. James Miller, who are leaVing the district this week. Visitors from Pokeno, Waiuku, and surrounding districts were also present, and Mr. W. Glasgow presided. Ao enjoyable musical programme was gone through, and during an interval the Rev. T. A. Xorri« presented Mr. and Mrs. Miller with a silver tea and coffee service from the residents and Mr*. Miller with a silver cake basket from member! of the yfresbyterian Church in recognition oi her services as organist. After supper had been served by a ladies' committee a dance brought the proceedings to a close. The showery weather experienced lately is bringing the grass on very fast. ■ Grass seed sowing is in full swing just now, and some of the earlier-sown, patches are shoving quite a sward. PUKEKOHE. The fanning community throughout the di* trict have never had such a busy "time as during the past 10 days, and the amount of grass seeds. clovers, and manures that have been" booked is exceptionally heavy. Many of the. farmers are breaking up ground that has been laid down for many years. The long spell of dry weather killed most of the roots of the grasses, and now, with the exception-ally mild*, occasional rains, the ground is in particularly good order for working j There are hundreds of acres yet to be put down iin grass. The country is very green, though • reed is still short, and the central factory is i now only running four days a week.

Mr. A. D. Waller has disposed of his pharmacj business to Mr.. Valentine, who conies from Martinborougu, in the Wairarapa district. Mr. 11 ayl'd has disposed of his general store at Puui to Mr. Granger, of Te Aroha. ■The painters have been at work on the railway station and the various adjacent buildings, and the place looks presentable now. Surveyors have taken a survey for the long-promised siding, but there the matter stands much to the annoyance and inconvenience of settlers generally, and 'also of the railway staff. The Pukekohe Tennis Club have had one of the courts tarred and sanded, and it is now in good order. Labour is scarce in and around the village The building trade is very brisk, close on sdojseu different buildings being'in course of erection. The committee of the Roman Catholic bazaar is working very hard for the approaching bazaar in the Masonic Hall during Easier week, and the function promises to be very successful. Mr. If. Whyte, dairy inspector, is absent in Wellington on Departmental business.