COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13852, 11 September 1908, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS .

WAIHI. [BY TKLKGRAI-n. — CORBESPOXDEST.] i Waihi, Thursday. After inspecting the ground at the back of the District High School, in company with (he borough engineer, the Waihi School Committee has decided upon a scheme, for properly laying out and form- ■ ing the reserve as a playground. , Mr. Richard Joll, an old resident of Waihi, died in the district hospital this ' morning at the age of 70 years. Deceas- • ed, who was for many years in the employ of the Waihi Gold Mining Company, leaves a widow and grown-up family. At the Police Court this morning (Mr. W. M. Wallnutt, J.P., presiding) a young man named R. Dick was convicted and fined ss, and costs 2s, for drunkenness. At a meeting of the Finance Committee of the Waihi Borough Council last evening the statement submitted showed receipts since last meeting to be £428 10s lOd, and accounts for payment £775 6s Id. The district fund account showed a debit of £22,378 6s 6d, and gold duty outstanding amounted to £3045 14s. The question of completing the Waihi "Beach Road was raised at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the Waihi Borough Council last night. It appeared from correspondence from the Minister for Mines and Mr. H. Poland, M.P., thai a deadlock has been brought about owing to opposition by the Tauranga County Council, due, it is understood, to a mis"understanding on the part of the County Council as to the question of maintenance. It seems that there will be no liability on the part of the Tauranga Council in this connection, and when the facts are made known no further opposition will presumably 1h? offered from that quarter. The road will furnish a short route to the most popular of the local holiday resorts. Mr. W. Young, who some six months ago was terribly mutilated in an explosion at a mine at Waiorongomai, left the district hospital to-day for Auckland, en route for Australia. 'When admitted to the institution Young's life wan despaired of. but skilful medical attention and careful nursing pulled him through, though one arm had to be amputated. ° HAMILTON. [FROM OUR OW.V CORRESPONDENT.] The lady members of the Horticultural Society recently held a show of spring flowers. Dr. Douglas -(president) congratulated tho members on the success which had attended their efforts. There were very high classes in table decorations, Miss Tylden taking first prize and Miss Reid second. Miss Jollr was awarded first prize for summer flowers, Mis. Brewin taking second place. WHAXGAREI. [NY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WuANGARKr, Thursday. The choir of the Presbyterian Church lield a successful organ recital in the church hist night, there being a good attendance. The choir, tinder tho baton of Mr. Large, rendered several items in an excellent manner, and the organ solos by Master Dobson were a feature of the programme. The proceeds are to be devoted to the organ fund. The employees of Messrs. D. W. Jack and Co. held their annual reunion at Mr. D Jack's private residence, and chose the occasion as an opportunity of presenting Miss Frances Conyngham," who is leaving the employ of the firm, with a set of silver-backed brushes and mirror, ue a mark of esteem. THAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN- CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Thursday. The fortnightly meeting of the Thames Borough Council was held this evening, the Mayor (Mr. A. Burns) presiding. The statutory declination from the local banks showed that the amount of gold purchased during the month of August wm 13230z. The town clerk was instructed to write to the County Council asking for a refund of certain repairs done to the various fire-plugs along the Parawai Road for the convenience and safety of the county resident*, and that the Council would agree to contribute a proportion of the cost of the upkeep of the fire brigade. It was resolved to write to the Thames Harbour Board asking them to transfer their rights to the strip of waste land on the inner side of the railway embankment between the new reserve and Willoughby-street to the Borough Council, with a view of having it. filled in and planted with trees for the improvement of that portion of the town. Notice of motion was tabled by Mr. Taylor, that the rule at present in force at the public abattoirs relating to the hours of notice for killing, bo altered from nine a.m. to 12, noon.

HAMILTON. [from our own correspondent.] A meeting of the executive committee of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held yesterday at Hamilton, Mr. C, Day (president) in the chair. A deputation from the South Auckland Racing Club waited on the committee for the purpose of asking that in order to carry out necessary improvements the club be granted a lease of the ground for 21 years, in terms of the arbitration award made by Messrs. Herrieß and J. Gordon. It was decided to concede the request, and the president, vice-president, and Mr. .7. Gordon were, appointed to confer with the Racing Club and decide terms. The Railway Department notified that the train arrangements for the .show would bo the tame as last year.

HUNTLY. [FROM OUR OWN" t'OJIRKSI'O.VDKNT.] Anniversary services in connection with the Huntly Methodist Church were held on Sunday, the Rev. Mr. Beck, of Cambridge, preaching to fairly large congregations. The annual tea meeting took place on Monday night, a large number of members and friends filling the church. After tea the Rev. Mr. Blamires, of Hamilton, delivered a humorous lecture on the "Wit and Wisdom of Methodist Preachers." Vocal solos were contributed by Mrs. Dyer and Mr. Claude Gleeson. At tho monthly meeting of the Lodge Taupirij No. 118, N.Z.C., held on Wednesday evening, the principal business was tho election of office-bearers for the ensuing year, and the formulation of a programme for the installation of these, which takes place at tho next meeting. The following was the result of the electionsW.M.. Bro. W. Simpson: D.M.. Wor Bro. J. R. Hetherington, P.M. ; T.P.M.'> Wor. Bro. G. S. Fleming. P.M. : D of S Wor. Bro. '!'. G. Smith, P.M.; S.W.' Bro. .las. Rock; J.W., Bros. Thos. Black;' secretary, Bro. Win. Carroll; treasurer Bro. Geo. Pearce; chaplain, Bio. John Kinson; organist, Bro. R. Skellern (reelected); S.D.. Bro. J. Limb; J.D., Bro. H. Payne; 1.G., Bro. A. Rust on ; S.S., Bro. L. R. McTndoe: J.S., Bro. G. McAulay; tyler, Bro. C. Pearson. It was decided to celebrate the installation with a banouet. OTAHUHU. [from our own correspondent.]

At the monthly meeting of the Magistrate's Court,, Mr. H. \V. Northcroft, S.M., on the ' Bench, the case against IT. Loombe, adjourned from last Court day, for drunkenness and using bad language, at Pan mure, was heard, and the accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, the second charge beino- withdrawn. For selling firearms to a person under 16 years of age, a storekeeper was fined ss, and 9s costs. A youth named Jackson was charged with' assaulting a boy named Kay, by striking him with a whip. A number of witnesses were examined, and Jackson wao convicted and ordered to pay costs. Chas. Newman,

carrying on business as an auctioneer at Helensville, sued Walter Absolum for £22 lOs, balance of purchase money for cattle bought; also £7 money lent to the defendant. Mr. C. J. Parr, appeared for Absolum, and Mr. Hackett for Newman. The ease lasted a considerable time, finally resulting in the nonsuiting of plaintiff. [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] WAIUKU. The spring weather experienced during the last fortnight lias given the district, a fresh green appearance, and the farmers are busy finishing thf-ir cropping. The final meet lor the season of the Pakurar.ga Hounds in this district will take place next week. Prior to the hunt a point-to-point steeplechase will be run. MAUKU. The teacher of the West Mfltiku school (Mr. Uutry) was expecting to get his average up to entitle him to an assistant, as the attendance has been increasing, but by the sale of two farms near the school he has lost seven of his regular pupils. This again shown the great unfairness : of teachers being paid on the average attendance. The Board's workmen are busy putting things in order iu connection with the teacher's residence. The decision of Mr. Justice Sim in the Arbitration Court regarding farmers and their employees' demands has given general satisfaction, lor if such awards as were asked for by the union agitators were granted it would mean a considerable reduction in the labour employed. Mr. lieywoofl Crispe, who has represented the church district in the Diocesan Synod for about 27 years, has had to decline nomination for another term on account of declining health. .Mr. A. Darter has beeu elected to fill the \acancy. NGARUAWAHIA. 'the members of the N'garuawahia branch of the New Zealand Fanners' Union met last week, there being a large attendance. . The question of the rating on unimproved values was vigorously debated. The clerk of the Huglau County Council spoke at some length, showing how well the system was working in his county. The Chairman said he hoped members would support the principle of rating on unimproved values and thus become the. first branch in the Farmers' Union to carry so important » proposal. It was his opinion that the Farmer*Union in the past had been run in the interests of the large landowners and land speculators, and lie hoped the members by their votes would show some regard for the needs of the working farmers. The following motion was eventually carried: "That the N'garuawahia branch of the Farmers' Union support" the principle of rating on the unimproved values." HOWICK, The monthly meeting of the Howick and Fakuranga Band of Hope was held on the Bth inst. in the Oddfellows' Hall, the Rev. N. D. Boyes presiding. An address on no-license was given by the Rev. F. S. Smallfleld (principal of St. John's Collegiate School, Epsom). The fortnightly meeting of the Literary and Debating Society was held on the 9th in"st. A debate on the subject of " Woman's Franchise" was discussed, Messrs. Fairburn, Brickell, Hattaway, and Kyd taking the affirmative, while Messrs. WoQlridge and Mclnnes argued in the negative. A ■>. ote was taken, which resulted in a large majority for the affirmative. Pianoforte solos were given by Misses Nicholson, Page and Bancroft, a recitation by Mr. Hattawav, a song by Mr. Fairburn, and readings by Messrs U Bell and 11. P. Andrew.