COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14325, 22 March 1910, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAIHI. '[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRE,SrONDENT.] WAinr, Monday. The annual demonstration promoted by the Waihi United Friendly Societies' Hospital Conference, in aid of the funds of Hie District Hospital, took place yesterday. afternoon. Shortly before 2.30 the procession, under the direction of Major A. T. Kenrick, moved off from Seddon-street for the Recreation Reserve, the order, being as under:— Federal Band, under Bandmaster Godkin; Ohinemuri Rifles, under Captain Gardener; Waihi Rifles; three of the cadet companies, under Captain Moor; defence corps, under Captain Edwards ; boy scouts, under Chief-Scoutmaster Captain Oliphant Rowe; Fire Brigade, under Captain Malcolmson; the Mayor and councillors, members of the "hospital trustees, ladies' Druids, Hibernians, Druids, Foresters, Rechabites, Oddfellows, Salvation Army Baud (under Bandmaster Oeard), Miners' Union, Sunday-school scholars, and the general public. On arrival at the reserve the principal officials and the bands occupied the band rotunda, from which appropriate speeches and appeals for practical sympathy in the shape of contributions were made. The speakers included Mr. J. Livescy (president of the conference), the Mayor (Mr. John Ncwth), the Rev. Jas. Wrigley (Weslcyan Church), the Very Rev. Father Brodie (St.. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church), Staff-Captain Simm.s (Salvation Army), Mr. Jos. Foster (Church of Christ), and Mr. W. E. Parry (president of the Miners' Union). The total collections for the afternoon, with proceeds from the sale of badges, were £74, which, with the Government subsidy of 24s in the £, will benefit the hospital to the- extent of over £162. The first of the classes (that for dressmaking) in connection with the Waihi Tech-nical-School will be commenced to-morrow (Tuesday), and classes in other subjects (including English, arithmetic, woodwork, book-keeping, commercial correspondence, shorthand, and trade drawing), will be resumed shortly after the Easter vacation. CAMBRIDGE. FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Combined anniversary and harvest thanksgiving services were held at St. Paul's Methodist Church on Sunday last, there being large congregations on each occasion. The decorations were of a tasteful nature, and were carried out by the church members, under the supervision of Mrs. E. Veale. The musical portion of the services was excellent, Mr. Frank Beck being the conductor for the day. At the evening service Mrs. Edmonds sang the solo, " Nearer, My God, to Thee." The Rev. W. H. Beck delivered discourses at each service. The offertories were in aid of the trust fund of the church. A meeting of the executive of the Waikato Central Agricultural Association was held on Saturday, Mr. J. Fisher presiding. Mr. W. R. Johnson, of Waihou, wrote in reference to a slight accident to the fetlock of one of his competing horses, which deprived him of the first award. The committee decided to reply that the matter was one entirely between the judges and the exhibitor, and the committee could not see that the committee in charge was in any way to blame. Mr. J. F. Taylor, of To Awamutu, wrote protesting against thoroughbreds being allowed to compete in roadster classes. It was resolved to reply to Mr. Taylor that there are no conditions covering the question at present, but that his letter will be referred to the incoming committee. Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs. J. and W. Strang for their services as judges, and for the handsome donation of their travelling expenses. Prize money and accounts connected with the show were passed for payment, the total being £1103. Mr. Wynn-Brown, one of the stewards at the last show, wrote offering some valuable suggestions in regard to the horse classes, as the outcome of which resolutions were passed to the effect that horses entered in more than one class should have one number only, and that the services of a hunting man be secured as judge of the hunting classes. PUKEKOHE. ' [FROM OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] The town band is rapidly coming to the front, and they are now in request for all engagements in the Upper Waikato, including the Mercer and Ngaruawahia regattas. On Friday next they will leave for a holiday trip to Rotorua, and it is their intention to play programmes there during the Easter holidays. The Pukekohe West Road Board have been busy during the summer months putting down the metal provided for in last year's loan, and before the winter sets in the metalling of the main roads will be almost completed. The Town Board have let a contract for kerbing and channelling King-street. This work is very badly needed, and when finished will greatly improve the appearance of the town. Application has been made to the Government for the sum of £750 on the Estimates to provide a recreation ground for the town. A site has been selected at Hickey's Springs, which should be a very suitable one, as the future water supply for Pukekohe will most probably come from this source, and the Town Board are doing a wise thing in securing possession of the springs. The Roman Catholic Sunday-school picnic was held in Mr. Thomas Kenncally's paddocks on Saturday last, and a most enjoyable day was spent. The sports committee were very energetic in providing races and fun for the children. A feature of these picnics is the hearty welcome extended to all denominations to attend, which is much appreciated by the visitors. The town band was in attendance. TE AROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] A special meeting of the Borough Council was held on Friday night to consider the offer of the Prime Minister to erect a new post office suitable for the present and future requirements of the town and district, provided that the Council will give a portion of Boundary-street as a site. Boundary-street runs at right angles to, and intersects, the main (Whitaker) street, and from Whitaker-street to the river it is two chains in width. The law gives the Council power to reduce the width to one chain if the land is required, inter alia, for public purposes, and it is generally conceded that the road, bisected as it is by the creek, will never be required at its full width. Some of the councillors last night argued that the site asked for by the Government would be admirably adapted for a town hall and municipal buildings, but a site for these could be obtained on the same resumed road, at its intersection with Rewistreet, and the Mayor strongly urged the claims of the post office to the position on the main street. The Government owns a fine block of land fronting Rewi-street, on . which the old post office, the Courthouse,

and police station stand, and Mr. Stanley thought that the Council should get a section of this by way of payment for the Whitaker-street site, but the Mayor pointed out that the Government would never part with any reserves, though it was possible the Council might get a portion at a peppercorn rental. Ultimately the Council resolved unanimously to take the steps nccessarv to diminish the width of the street, and to devote the land acquired to public purposes. . In response to the urgent request of the Bowling Omb that the Tourist Department should reinstate the old bowling green in the Domain, the Minister (Hon. T. Mackenzie) ha? written to the club asking what proportion of the cost the club would be prepared to contribute. At a meeting last j night it was resolvedlo offer £20. Preparations for remaking the old ground have been in contemplation for some time, and part of the vote for the purpose has been expended in getting a supply of scoria, but the completion of the work has been abandoned on the score of economy. It is, however, only fair to stale that, since the design of reconstructing the old green . was first mooted, the Department ha 6 laid down a new green, which was opened on Thursday last. This is smaller than the "other, however, and not large enough for the New Year tournaments. MORRINSVILLE. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Morrinsvillk, Monday. Since writing last it has been reported that the loss in sheep through worrying was underestimated. Mr. Rooney, as the result of a muster, has found some 60 head missing. An early morning raidresulted in the bagging of four mongrels, two of which were pups. Their noisy yelping it was that attracted notice to the particular part of the farm on which the mischief was being done. The older dogs worked silently. The owners meantime have followed the excellent example of "Brer Rabbit." The chain is the only preventive, and poisoned meat, or a charge of No. 3 shot, the only positive cure for these pests. On Wednesday the natives held their annual race meeting. Though the prize money was not large, the competition was keen, and the 200 or more natives who gathered from Waharoa, Te Hoe, Tainui, and elsewhere seemed to think they had their money's worth. Entries were not restricted to Maoris. The pakeha who fancied his .mount, was welcome to .try his luck, and availed himself of the opportunity in some cases. For many years now the annual school picnic has been held at Annandale, Mr. W. S. Allen not only placing his house and grounds at the disposal of the pupils and their relatives,, but also providing all the good things required. On Thursday, in response to the usual invitation, a large number of adults, and practically all the school children, gathered and proceeded to enjoy themselves. With many of the latter the first visit was to the orchard ; apples, green or ripe, seemed to be equally appreciated, and, as far as could be seen, were equally harmless in their effects. Messrs. John and R. C, and Miss Esther Allen acted as hosts and hostess in the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, now on their way Home. The sports for the children took place during the afternoon, and aroused keen. interest. Swings, footballs, and cricketing gear were provided. From first to last everything went well, and the undoubted success of the whole affair must have been gratifying to those who had worked so hard to achieve this result. It is anticipated that the new Baptist Church will be finished by April 13. Mr. Oates is building two new . shops adjoining his own, the sash and door factory is rapidly approaching completion, and the Oddfellows' have acquired two quarteracre sections in Lorne-street, from the Bank of New Zealand, with a view to erecting a suitable hall when funds are available. _. . , OTAHUHU. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] The pumping operations in connection with the Otahuhu Road Board's water supply scheme were discontinued on Monday forenoon, thus completing a six days and six nights' continuous pumping test. The result of the test must be satisfactory to the Board as well as to the ratepayers, as the outflow at the conclusion of the test is just as great as at the commencement, while the depth of water in the shaft has remained practically unaltered throughout. Careful tests have been made at frequent intervals in order to ascertain the quantity of water available, and with the data obtained there is no reason to doubt that a minimum supply of 25,000 gallons per hour is available, even with a pumping plant of the same capacity and power as that employed at the test, while with the use of a larger pump and more powerful engine probably double the quantity would easily be obtained. This •should be of much interest and importance to the various works and manufactories in the vicinity, especially as complaints have been made from time to time of the water which they are using being unsuitable on account of the large quantity of iron contained therein. A supply of water could easily be obtained from Otahuhu at a trifling cost by gravitation, while the water is conspicuously free from iron or other deleterious minerals. Its potable qualities are excellent, while for laundry and other household purposes it will be difficult to surpass. LEG A MASS OF HUMOUR. "About seven years ago a small abrasion appeared on my. right leg, just abovo my ankle. It irritated mo so that I began to scratch it, and it spread, until my leg from my anklo to the knee was one solid scale, like a scab. Tho irritation was always worso at night and would not allow mo to sleep, and it was completely undermining my health. I lost fifty pounds in weight, and was almost out of my mind with pain and chagrin, as, no matter where the irritation came, at work, or on. the street, or in the presenco of company, I would havo to scratch it, until I had the blood running clown into my . shoe. ' I simply cannot describe my suffering during those seven years. "I tried all kinds of doctors and remedies, but I might as well havo thrown my money down a sewer. They would dry it up for a littlo while and fill mo with hope, only to break out again just as bad, if not worse. I had given up hope of ever being cured when I was induced by my wife to give tho Cuticura Remedies a trial. _ After using tho Cuticura Remedies for a littlo while I began to see a change, and after taking a dozen bottles of Cuticura Resolvent, in coniunction with tho Cuticura Soap and Cuticura Ointment, the, trouble had entirely disappeared, and my leg was as fine as the day I was born. Now, after a lapse of six months, with no signs of a recurrence, I feel perfectly safe in extending to you my heartfelt thanks for the good tho Cuticura Remedies have done for me.—W. H. White, M«r. Label Dept., Typo. Union, No. 2, 312E.. Cabot-st., Philadelphia, U.S.A., Feb. 4 and Apr. 13, 1909." References: R.Towns and Co., Sydney. ■■■■ ": »