COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14345, 15 April 1910, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAIHI. [by TELEGRAPH.OWN correspondent.] Waihi, Thursday. The classes in connection with the Waihi Technical School have commenced. The largest number of students so far enrolled' is in the commercial course. The woodwork class has been but poorly patronised, and unless more interest is shown in this section the class will probably be closed. ! j The horse attached to a vehicle driven by Mr. Feather took fright at a bicycle, and bolted down Moresby Avenue about noon to-day The occupant was thrown out, but escaped with minor abrasions on his right leg. The horse made at full speed lor the bridge, near the central school, where a number of children were playing, and everything pointed to a seri- • ous accident. Fortunately Constable Woodley was in the vicinity, and he made for the bridge with all possible speed., and caught up two little children just in time to save them. being run over. The horse was ultimately pulled up on the other side of the bridge, both animal and sulky having escaped damage. TE.AROHA. [FEOII OTJR OWN COHEESrONDENT.] The pupils of the convent school were entertained at a picnic in the grounds yes-' terday afternoon. The Rev. Father McGuinness and the sisters were most assiduous in their endeavours to make the occasion one to be remembered by the little folk. The chief events on the sports programme resulted as follows :Senior girls' race :G. Brenan. Junior girls' race: B. Maxwell. Little girls' race: Rita Fitzgerald." Infants' race: Rita Wolfe. Three- 1 legged race: Nora MeSweeney and Alice Fitzgerald. Boys' Marathon :E. Timmins, 1; J. Gavin, 2. Small boys' race: G. Walsh. Infants' race: W. Morgan. Sack race: Walter Donovan. Skipping: Doris Keesing, 1: M. Baine, 2. At the annual meeting of the Choral Society the Rev. W. Blair (president) presided. The annual report stated that the membership now stands at 71, working members, and 11 honorary members. The-balance-sheet showed . leceipts amounting to £44, and disbursements £32.;. The committee thanked Mr. .Hemes, M.P., for a liberal donation. ; Two concerts were held 1 during the year, and both were financially successful. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patrons, Mr. W. H. Hemes, 5 M.P., and Mr. R. L. Somers (Mayor of Te-Aroha); president, Rev. W. Blair (reelected) ; vice-presidents, Mesdames Axford and Newsham, Messrs. W. Brodie, A. F. Burton, Rev. A. J. Reed, and Dr. . Axford ; , lion, secretary, Mr. Ronald Mclndoe; treasurer, Mr. Payze; librarians, Messrs. Hirst and Blake ; conductor, Mr. C. Rayner # (re-elected); deputy-conductor, Rev. W.Blair; pianist, Mrs. .Blair; assistants, Mrs. Wigg and Miss Maingay; committee, Mesdames Seccombe and Crosher, and Messrs. Seccombe and R. S. Hanna; Concert and Room Committee, Messrs. 1 Fugill and 81ake.....;.. .. ' ■- >. ■. '

Considerable interest is taken in the* Piako county scheme of drainage, which '„ embraces the local areas 'known' as Waihou ° and Ngutumanga, both within a few miles---of Te Aroha. The objection urged by some of the 'settlers ;is that the; existing outlets do not lequire yearly cleaning, and '(' that ratepayers - should i not be - asked to do what the county ought to perform."' The most cogent answer oto ' this is that'••■ if the areas are kept thoroughly drained the riding rate for - ordinary road , works would be reduced. '' J : : ;"' ! :•':V;.' • •;)

The whole of the country between here and Okauia (a stretch of 20 miles, along the lower slopes and foothills'of the dividing range)-is looking exceptionally well just now, and the supply of milk. to th« various creameries is keeping! well up. '