COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13729, 21 April 1908, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

; HAMILTON. [FROM OUR own CORRESPONDENT.] A meeting of the Hope of Hamilton tent, 1.0. R., was held on Thursday night, at their rooms, Collingwood-street. Resolutions were passed inviting the co-operation of the other lodges in the district in instituting a Hospital Sunday, in aid of the Waikato Hospital. The weekly practice of St. Andrew's choir was availed of to make, a presentation to Mr. C. L. MacDiaraid, the choir master, of a dinner gong, in anticipation of his marriage. The Rev. E. Adams, iii making the presentation on behalf of the members of the choir, referred in eulogistic terms to the good services Mr. MacDiarmid had rendered during his term, of office.

[FSOM OUR OWN COREESPONDENTS.] . HOBSONVILIiE. A meeting convened b\ Mr. T. E. Clark was held in the church on the 13th inat. to consider a proposal for forming a medical club. Dr. Hugh Keith, of Auckland, was in. attendance. Mr. Squire was elected to the chair, and after briefly explaining the object of the meeting called upon Dr. Keith to outline a suitable scheme. Questions were asked by several, and answered by the doctor, and a workable scheme was evolved, which should' be of great benefit to the settlers. The names of 20 residents, mostly married men, were handed in for membership, who will form the nucleus of the club. Mr. Squire was elected secretary, and a local committee was formed of the following :—Messrs. T. E. Clark, E. S. Midgley, P. Tong, W. Sehrafft, and D. S. B. Squire. A pleasing ceremony took place at ihe factory of Messrs. R. 0. Clark, in HobaonviKe, on Wednesday evening. On behalf of the factory employees, Mr. W. Schrafft, foreman, presented a marble clock, suitably inscribed, to Mr. T. E. Clark, as a token' of esteem, on the occasion of his approaching marriage. Mr. Clark suitably responded, after which three cheers were given by the men, and the gathering dispersed alter singing " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." MA UK (J. The growth of grass during the last few weeks has been something' -.voiiderful, and as the weather is so mild there are good prospects of winter feed. Some of the suppliers who had stopped sending milk to the creamery on account of their cows having fallen away so much have now started to supply again. An extra 2d per lb for butter-fat is given, -and us the milk tests are high this will assist suppliers, who require all they can" get to make up for the shortage experienced during the long spell of dry weather. A concert was held in the hall, Pattimahoe, on Monday evening, organised by the Presbyterian Church, to help to liquidate the debt that still remains on their new building. The function was n marked success, there being a long and varied programme. The Rev. V/otberspoon presided. The annual meeting for the election of church officers for St. Bride's was held on Tuesday evening. The balance-sheet snowed that all liabilities had been paid, and a balance was in hand of £1.4 5s 2d. The accounts as read were adopted. The vicar, - the Rev. C. F. T. Harrison, nominated Mr. 11. Criape as his churchwarden, and Mr. Chandler was selected as the people's warden. The following were appointed a committee .-—Messrs. A. Barter, A. Wright, W. Figgot, Ernest Howe, Nieholl, and 11. Page, jun>. The vicar moved a vote of thanks to all church workers, which was carried. It was resolved to hold a working bee on Saturday, May 15, to clear the church ground' and put it in order. If the day is wet the .vork will be taken in hand the 'first succeeding fine Saturday. WAIWERA. The shooting competition for the medal presented by Mr. J. J. O'Brien to the Upper Wuiwera school branch of the National League wan completed at the school range on the 15tli inrt. Three matches were fired for the trophy, and the finM ended in an exciting contest, the result depending on the last shots. M. MrCathie and J. Bayer aggregated 91, but the, former scoring highest at the long range was declared the winner. There was also a tie (87) for third place. Inlluerifca is prevalent in the district at present. A meeting of farmers to discuss the proposed erection of a butter factory was held at Puhoi last Saturday evening, " Mr. Johns presiding. The " general opinion was in favour of the erection of a factory, but it, was decided that the local farmers were nK>t ready for it at present, and it was resolved to let the matter stand over until next season.