WAIHI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13715, 3 April 1908, Page 8

WAIHI.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —Ofl'N COURBSJ'ONDEXT.] Waihi, Thursday. The regular meeting of the Pride of Waihi Lodge of Druids was held last night, and was well attended. The district president (Brother Field) paid his first visit, and presented P.A. Brother Collins with a P.A. collar and diploma, to replace those lost by him in the recent fire. Brother Pinky having left the district, Brother A. Robinson was elected to fill the vacancv as Arch Druid, and the inner and outer guardians having resigned, these offices were filled by the election of Brothers levies and McMahon respectively. . . Mr - 13 - A. Franklin, district health officer is on a visit to Waihi. ' Mr. Gr. W. AJlso]) architect, of Auckland, inspected the operating theatre and drainage scheme in connection with the " aim Hospital to-day. Mr. Allsop will furnish a report on the improvements required. On Saturday afternoon, at the local rifle range, the second-class shots of the No. 3 Ohinemuri llifles will fire the second competition for Messrs. Hctherington and Co.'s Inn? /' ,be ranes will be 200 yds and fin.-' Wlth . seven shots at each distance. . w ™ nmrmng, at the Police Court (Mr. « 1; Walhiutt, J.P., presiding), a second offender for drunkenness in the person of an elderly man named John McGrath, was ' convicted and fined 5s and costs. A. hint that he would bo sent to Bell's Island if lie nguied in the Court on a similar charge within the next six months extracted a promise that the offence would not be committed again. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] MATAMATA. -The soaking 1 rains experienced during the last week or two have done an immense amount of if"'" 1 , 1,1 the Matamata district. Ine grass has been, freshened up wonderfully, . an '' though it is too late to expect much improvement in the milk returns, the season will be prolonged for a longer period than was thought possible a month since. sown area of new grass has been w a n ng f " r Ju ti0 n n n took place in the Woolshed Hall on the 27th inst., when the nou^h tr iT 0f MIH - T Peat assembled to wish him farewell. Several eulogistic speeches were given, and a purse of sovereigns was presented to him bv Mrs McCaw, on behalf of the subscribers, file members of he Ladies ' Guild also took the opportunity to present Mrs. J. Price (Hon. secretary) with an oil painting, as a mark of their appreciation of lier services. The Rev. W. H. Edgell (Anglican) and the Lev i J. Mack it ' (Mr. Peat's successor/ were also present, and took part in the proceedings. Various musical items ere contributed, and a pleasant evening was concluded with a dance. BAMAKAMA. An enjoyable social was held in the marama school on Thursday evening as a farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, who are leaving the district, Mr. Ramsay having been appointed to the Clevedon school. Although heavy rain fell all the evening, there was a good attendance. A programme of musical items was gone through, contributed bv the i?. .--Misses Webster, J. and Jessie. Miller, D. McNaughton, Messrs. Price and W. L)ixon. Games, competitions, etc., were also held. Misses Webster and McNaughton acted ; 18 accompanists during the evening. Master G. McCabe. on behalf of the scholars of the school, read an address, and presented Mr. Ramsay with a dressing-case and travelling bag. Mr. Sharp, chairman of the School Committee, also read an address on behalf of the School Committee and residents of the district, thanking Mr. and Mrs Ramsay for the work they had done in the district. He presented them with a handsome silver hot-water kettle on a silver stand. Mr. Ramsay suitably replied. The Rev. Smellie made an efficient chairman, and gave a short speech. After refreshments the singing of " Auld Lang Syne" brought the proceedings to a close. TAURANGA. An addition has been made to the local fishing fleet by the purchase of a 24ft mullet boat in Auckland by Mr. G. C. Gear, of Tauranga. The vessel was built by Mr. J. Drummond, of Mechanics' Bay. The work, of erecting the telephone line in the borough is now proceeding under the direction of Mr. J. A. McKenzie. The number of subscribers baa now increased, and • it is hoped that the service will goon be in working order. Mr. 11. Munro Wilson, of Auckland, arrived here on March . 24, for the purpose ol' furnishing an estimate of the cost of a gravitation water supply for the borough. A meeting of the Borough Council was held during the forenoon, when the matter was discussed with Mr. Wilson. Mr. It. H. Clemson, who recently visited the proposed sources of supply for the purpose of reporting to the Council, will accompany Mr. Wilson oil his visit to supply local information. Inspector Franklin, of the Public Health Department, stationed at the Thames, has arrived here on a visit of inspection. Tauranga is in the inspector's district, and it is understood that he intends in future to make monthly visits. Arrangements have been made by the Marine Department to have that part of Tauranga Harbour known as the Katikati Channel marked, a* a guide for vessels using it. For many years the necessity for this has been felt, and it is expected that a. good deal of trouble will be saved by those ..in charge of vesselo trading between Tauranga and Katikati. Messrs. A. Haua and J. D. Faulkner are carrying out the work. K A Will A.. Taut Wetere lias written to the Native Minister offering to sell to the Government tl- Te l'uru native township at their own valuation. There are 10£ acres in the block, cut up into J-acre petition*, which are assessed at £20 and £25 cadi. This is a high fixing, and it will be interesting to note the reply. Road work is progressing apace in this district, fully 100 men being employed by the Government, whilst there is work for lolly 40 more. During the past week a very large quantity of grass seed has been landed at. Kawhia, and* the shed accommodation was again found to be totally indequate. The launch owners have had » particularly busy time, as the shed had to be cleared immediately—in fact, some of the sacks had to be stacked outside on the wharf On Tuesday the Claymore's cargo. 198 sacks and oil Friday 125 sacks, were discharged from the Waitangi, and 110 from ill" Tainui. It is estimated that, the total of these shipments is over 2000 sacks, valued approximately at £3000.