COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14144, 20 August 1909, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAIHI.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waihi, Thursday. The annual meeting of members of St. James' Presbyterian Church was held last evening, the Rev. W. White, M.A., presiding. The managers' report gave the receipts for the past year as £701 lis Id, and the expenditure £707 3s 9d, leaving a debit balance of £5 12s Bd. The year was started with a debit balance of £146 15s. Through the efforts of the Ladies' Guild, the church loan had been reduced from £560 to £465, and ; from retiring collections and the general fund the manse debt was reduced from £150 to £120. The report •of the session stated that 21 new members had joined the church, making the present membership 131. The session made an earnest appeal to the congregation to make provision for the erection of a hall for Sabbath-school at the east end of the township, where at present work is being carried out under unsatisfactory conditions. Reports were also submitted from the various organisations associated with the church, which showed that good, work was being done by those in charge, and that an effort was being made to induce/ the young people to take an active and intelligent interest in the various spheres of church life. At a sitting of the Magistrate's Court (Mr. F. J. Burgess, S.M., presiding), judgment for the plaintiff by default was given in the following cases : —R. and S. .Shaw v. J. Heenan, £13 13s lid; same v. Peter Lynch, £4 15s lOd; eame v. Lynch and Madden, £2 17s lOd ; D. J. Morgan v. J. Phillips, £8 6s 3d. The remains of the late Mrs. James Dunstan were interred in the Waihi Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, the service at the graveside being conducted. by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, who was assisted by the Revs. Buckland and Spottiswoode. Among those who paid the last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased were representatives of the Waihi lodge of Foresters, of which order Mr. Dunstan is a member. The late Mrs. Dunstan was an old identity on the goldfields, having arrived on the Thames with her husband in 1869 (the early days of the gold rush), where she, resided until 1901. Since then she had lived in Waihi, and was widely respected throughout the district.

: : PAEROA. :■ ■ [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Thursday. There was a large attendance at a social held here last night by the local officials of the Railway, and Post and Telegraph Departments, a number of visitors being present. Dancing and progressive euchre were indulged in, and the affair was a great success, which was mainly due to the efforts of the honorary secretaries, Messrs. F. Lowe and H. Goonan. "". HUNTLY. [FROM our own CORRESPONDENT.] \ Htjntly, Thursday. On Sunday afternoon Mr. Charles Starr's farm was visited by. several dogs that did great damage to his ewes and lambs, resulting in a somewhat serious loss to the owner., The lambs were strong and healthy, • and so forward that Mr. Starr had arranged to send them to Auckland on the 24th, he having been offered a good price for «them. ' Another horse is to be added to the list of victims killed by the through express. This is the second that has met its fate at the same spot within a few weeks. A return of the cattle and horses killed by that train since its inception would show a very considerable butcher's bill. . ~ ...... TE AROHA. ..,-, ..._ [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] .; Te Aroha, Thursday. A meeting of the Waitoa Drainage Board was held on Monday, when there were present: 'Messrs. Matthew Henry (chairman), ; Matheson, Magill, and Bellamy. The clerk read the answers drafted by the chairman and himself to the objections raised by the Piako County Council to the Board's acquisition of the drains on Nos. 1 and 7 roads. , The points urged were that the enlargement of the drains would not interfere with the roads ; that they were the natural drains, having Been originally laid out for the drainage of the estate ; and that the powers granted to the Board enabled that body to acquire the use <; of > them. Similar powers were enjoyed by the Manawaru Drainage Board. , Messrs. Gillies and Gilfillan, solicitors, of Hamilton, wrote intimating that they had been instructed by the engineers to take proceedings to re- I cover the amount of .50 per cent.- of the commission on the proposed loan of £10,000 and for money due for other work not included in the original scheme or covered by the ■ 4 per cent, commission; It ,was de- ■ cided to take legal advice, and report at a special meeting on the 30th ; inst. ; The opinion of members was that the Board had not, according to the terms of the resolution passed in December, agreed to any advance payments, but the . chairman /held that a judicial court would be guided by the usages of the profession, which, according to the engineers, provide for payment of half commission on the completion of the plans. The secretary of the Board, Mr. •. E.« A. Campbell, handed iin his resignation on the score of ill-health, > but, at the unanimous request of the members, who all expressed a high opinion ,of his ; services, he was induced to continue in office for the present. ; \ .. :s':

The church social at Waitoa was a very successful function, and the vicarage fund is expected to benefit considerably as a result. Amongst the : musical items were several songs by the vicar and a couple of cornet solos by Mr. P. Donovan.

Dairying operations are in full swing at the Gordon settlement, where" there are several large herds. Mr. John Brady is milking 300 cows this season, and Mr. E. Montague has 100, while several others are milking large numbers.

Mrs. G. Spence, wife of ex-Councillor Spence, died at Te Aroha on Monday after a long illness. The deceased lady and her husband were amongst the pioneer settlers of Poverty Bay, and shared in the privations and dangers attendant upon life in the disturbed times after the war, when Te Kooti was engaged in his marauding expeditions. She leaves a grown up family. The funeral was largely attended, many coming long distances to show their respect. ! .' ' The monthly meeting of the Piako County Council was held on Tuesday, all the members being present. The Treasury forwarded the usual amount for subsidy, less £15 retained for share of maintenance of the combined railway and traffic bridge. It was pointed out by members that as the new traffic bridge will be open in a couple of months, it would not be fair to charge the county with part cost of keeping up ■ the other for the whole of the current financial year. The clerk was instructed to communicate with the Government on the subject. A communication was received from Wellington intimating that the matter of continuing to make valuations for local rating authorities is under the consideration of the Government, and that the Piako County Council's application for a revaluation of the county had been noted. Mr. Manuel thought that something would be done, as so many public bodies had been complaining about the present system of valuation. Some [ of the discrepancies were most amazing. Land worth £20 an acre had been valued at 15s, and so on. The Under-Secretary of Public Works ] wrote stating that a sum of £144 odd still remained to the ; credit of the account ; for flood; damage in Piako, and as it was assumed that the works had been completed, it wae proposed to cancel: the unspent balance unless the Council put in a.iclaim- before, the end of the month. ; It was resolved to apply for, the balance forthwith, as the whole of it would be required; for works done and Hearing completion. Several; complaints of drain Hooding were received from settlers on the Waitoa Block-■ Mr. Matthew Henry explained that the

water that ran over hie land from No. 7 road was owing to the. Council's action in. arrogating to itself the functions of the Drainage Board. He hoped the matter N would oe attended to so as to pave further trouble. It was resolved to inform Mr. : 'Henry that the Council does not acknowledge any responsibility. Mr. R. Matheson, through his solicitor, informed the Council that the overflow from No. 1 drain; : :" caused by a block, overflowed his land, and had done considerable damage. He asked , to have the obstacle in the drain removed. The matter was left ia the hands of/the member for the riding, Mr. Bellamy, and Mr. Thomas, with power to act. The case of Mr. Fitton was re- ' mitted to the eame, councillors, with full discretionary powers. The supervisor's report dealt with a number of works in progress, and was approved- . It was reported that the Kereone bridge had been finished, and a good job made of it. Mr. Manuel made an earnest appeal to the Council to settle up the financial affairs of this contract, and it was agreed that on the expiration of the statutory period, a fortnight from date, the chairman and Mr. Manuel shall settle up the business and pay wages, etc. The contract, it will be remembered, was resumed by the Council on the death of the contractor.

CAMBRIDGE. :£< [from our OWN correspondent.] ; Cambridge, Thursday. The Cambridge School Committee met on Monday evening, those present being : Messrs. J. Lundon (chairman), M. McDermott, F. O'Toole, J. A. Hair, A. F. Stone, and R. T. Tudehope. Inspector Gill reported ' satisfactorily on the secondary department of the District High School. _ On the roll there were 17 boys and 10 girls, the average attendance being 14 boys and nine girls. The methods of teaching were reported upon as being quite satisfactory, and > they were applied with an equally "satisfactory degree of skill. The pupils were orderly and attentive, but seemed to lack enthusiasm. The finances of the committee are in a somewhat strained state, there not being sufficient in hand 'to discharge all liabilities. However, next month there will be the usual Quarterly cheque from the Education Board, and in November the school concert will be held, after which the committee ■■• will be in 'a state of comparative affluence. The matter of school stationery was mentioned, and it was decided to consult with the headmaster, with a view to effecting economies. The ; Fencourt Drainage Board met on Monday and confirmed the resolution making the general rate. ' The Hautapu Drainage Board met on Tuesday to consider the classification lists, which have been returned by the assessors, Messrs. McCaw and Cox. The Board went into the question, and, came to the conclusion that the northern' rating 'area was fairly done, considering, however,.that in several instances more land was affected than the assessors had allowed for. In regard to the southern rating area, it; was thought that material alteration. was required in the classification list, otherwise the revenue derived ; would be insufficient to meet that part of the district's share; of the loan. „ The members of the Board decided that they would go over the land and submit their recommendations to the assessors.

St. Paul's Methodist Church choir held an enjoyable social on Tuesday evening • last. Songs \ were contributed" by .v Mrs. '■'; Edmonds and Miss Reese; an organ recital was given by Miss R. Nixon, and a clarionet solo by Mr. C. S. Stuart. '" A musical;.; competition was won by Miss Ella Roberts ? and Mr. '.C.; Stuart. During an 3 interval £he Rev. W. H. Beck made \ a presentation to the choir * conductor, \ Mr. C. S. .Stuart,' \ of a handsome silver-mounted baton, as a memento of the choir's success 'in win- '< ning the test anthem at the : recent l Wai- 'I kato musical .competition, v A purse of sovereigns was also handed to Miss R. Nixon, as a- present from the congregation, that lady having for a considerable time past acted las organist. '" "" Presentations were made on Wednesdav afternoon to the Rev. A. H. Heron and family, who are ' shortly leaving" for Petone, where Mr. , Heron has accepted a position with the Rev. J. D. 1 Russell;: Mrs. McCullagh, on behalf of the Gleaners' Union, presented Mr. and Mrs. Heron with a handsome silver cake-Basket and sugar-bowl. The girls' Bible-class presented Mrs. Heron with a book and a sil-ver-top : cut-glass . trinket jar. The Sowers' ; Band (girls) gave' Miss "Heron a book and silver photo.'frame, 1 the boys also giving her a book.

A successful sale of work in connection with the Sowers' £ Missionary Band was held on Wednesday afternoon in St.. .Andrew's schoolroom. The attendance was l good, and practically everything ■': on sale was sold. The sale was opened by the Ven. Archdeacon Willis.

HAMILTON. . [FROM OT7B OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ':•■_. ;, , .-■■■■■ J ■ , '" ' I - ; Hamilton, Thursday. ' ; Mr. C. Day, of Pencarrow, Tamabere,:■■• has sold his four Jersey heifers and two yearling. Jersey bulls to Mr. Cornwall for ' clients in Taranaki. The cattle/ which are typical?specimens of this noted dairy ; ? strain, have been shipped from Frankton for their new quarters. [from our own correspondents.] POKENO. On the sth of this month a double wedding ; took place at. the residence of Mr. James Keith at Maungatawhiri Valley, when hid two daughters," Misses Emily and Bertha, were joined in.wedlock to Mr. S. "Mcllroy and Mr. A. Hatley, respectively. The Rev.' G. B. Monro, of St. Luke's, Remuera, officiated, and great interest was added to the occasion as it was well-known ■ that the rev. gentleman had officiated .at the ; marriage of the parents of the two "brides, just 27 years previously.- After the ceremony about 80 guests . sat down to. the wedding .breakfast;: and many were the hearty good wishes expressed for the future welfare of the happy couples. In the evening the - many friends of : the 'contracting parties assembled in. the Pokeno Hall, and too much cannot be said in praise of Mr. Keith for . . the . geii'rocis : manner in which •he entertained' his guests, i Occasion was , taken by Mr. J. B. ■- King, on behalf of the Pokeno Social - Club, to present Mrs. Mcllroy with a handsome ladies" companion and an illuminated address. Mr. Keith very suitably responded on ; behalf of his daughter, and, in a few well-chosen words, thank- -' ed one and all for their hearty good wishes and for the many and valuable presents to both , ■ brides. The happy couples then proceeded to their future homes, Mr. and Mrs. Mcllroy to Matakana, and Mr. and Mrs. Hatley to Remuera. ' The Mercer schoolboys* team met the -Pokeno school team at Tokeno on August 14, and were defeated by Pokeno by 25 points to nil. Four tries were scored by D. Gulland, one by Hector Munro, one by Leslie Young, and David Gulland and Hector Munro each kicked a goal.

NORTHERN WAIROA. The Defence Minister las accepted the cervices of the Dargaville Rifle Club, and details in connection with membership are now being carried out. As soon as rifles are served out regular practice -will take place at the Awakino butts. ~ The main road frontage at Mangawhare has suffered severely from the impinging of the,strong tide-set, which at that locality is very strong. ; The river bank has been eroded in places to such an extent that the actual road has been touched, and the borough employees are at < present en- . gaged in facing the scarred banks with rock y, ; v ballast. This particular portion of the, Darga-ville-Kopuri". highway could with benefit to the borough be converted into a beautiful drive. Were flax planted from the Kaihu Creek to Mount Wesley the bank would hold much better,";.* >•■■-; waste of valuable territory would become revenue- " ;>> earning, and from a. scenic point of view would become an asset of great worth. The creameries in connection with the Northern " : : Wairoa Dairy Company resume work this week, when the new plant recently installed in tin factory will be brought into use. Suppliers arc anxious to get into full swing, and show a degree ; : ; of vigour in their calling which is cheering. PUKEKOHE. The Pukekohe Dramatic Club made their first, appearance before, the; public in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday evening in a three-act comedy entitled!." O'Callaghanjin a Fix." The various parts were taken by Messrs. W. Hart, H. Lanston, 0. Stayte, L. Brown, C. Beloe, 1,. Westhead, and G. Hamill, and Misses X. Easton, 0. Neilsen,and K?, 'Neilsen. *The hall was packed to the doors and; the audience was agreeably surprised l at the progress made -by - the club . during its short existence. The. scenery, which was painted by Mr. W. Hart, reflected a lot of credit on the artist. •'■ ■ • -.:.;.■•'<.':' :'j:?~ : . '-''———. -^-uiK^Z ■':'■': ' \: '■ ..■■... ■■ ■./■/■.•' ; .;K^-'. .> : ':-& WAIUKU. •' , A football match was played on'the. Domain on Saturday between a junior team from Auckland and the Waiuiu juniors, resulting in a win for the.visitors by' 12 points to 5. Mr. J. H. Herrold ■gave, satisfaction as referee. The XVaiitkn Mounted' Rifles paraded on Thin day afternoon, there being a muster of 60 of all ranks; Captain SUent was in command n>!i! Staff-Sergeant-Major, Bell; was present • as* instruc- • ' •'- ■ tor. ■■' :' '■'' ■■'-■'• 'V"'':' v i"V .V'^/^^rfyi'lli-^^S^^!^^)^^ . ~ if , , . • * : .., '.'.1..../, ■-:■•■■ ' > < i . i - - V ~«•-, i i