COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14573, 9 January 1911, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

CAMBRIDGE.

[from our OWN . correspondent.]

There was an interested visitor in Cambridge on Friday in the person of Colonel Stuart Newall, who had not seen tho town lor 30 years. Ho was naturally surprised at the great change that lias taken place during that time. Colonel Newall arrived in Cambridge in 1864 with his regiment, the 3rd Waikatos, in which he then held rank as a non-commissioned officer. The regiment constructed a redoubt at Pukektira, tho locality being known as the "Crow's Nest." Subsequently the town of Cambridge was laid out, and became the regimental headquarters. Colonel Newall has seen much active service since those days, but he was very pleased to renew acquaintance with a familiar though changed spot. A mother and her daughter in this town are in receipt of the old age pension, the former being over 90 years of age. . During the month of December, 211 boxes of butter were shipped to Vancouver by the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Company, and another 400 boxes are to be shipped to the same country within the next few days. Arrangements have been made for the use of a motor launch to convey members and their friends to the annual Y.M.C.A. picnic to be held at Tamahere on Anniversary Day. . An inter-club tennis match between the Cambridge and Leamington clubs will take place at Leamington on Wednesday. Cambridge will be represented by the following:—Misses L. McNeish, E. Reese, K. Swayne, Mrs. R. W. Hunter, Messrs.' K. R. Court; V. Raynor, C. Ruge, A. Willis, H. Atkinson and R. W. Hunter. The following ladder matches have been played on the local courts recently:—A. Richardson defeated J. Hally, 96; J. L. Foster defeated K. R. Court, 92; Miss Cox defeated Miss Nixon, 73. A meeting of tho Pukekura Road Board was held on Friday, Mr. R. Fisher presiding. ;; W. Eastwood's tender at 10|d per yard was accepted for Bell's Hill contract.

A meeting of the Cambridge Croquet Club was held on Friday, to make arrangements for a tournament to be held on days following the show. Mr. P. A. E. Forbes presided. It was decided that the tournament be confined to players in South Auckland district only, and the following events were mapped out: —-Handicap singles (ladies and gentlemen), mixed foursomes handicap, ladies' championship singles, and gentlemen's championship singles, and competitions for ladies arid gentlemen. For the championship events gold medals will be awarded to the winners, and for the other events suitable trophies will be given. The president, Mr. Norman Banks, has donated a trophy for the ladies' break competition. A tournament committee was appointed, compris—Mesdames Richardson, Murray, Miss Vcale, and Messrs. N. Banks, P. Forbes and N. C. Marshall, the latter being'appointed secretary.

HAMILTON.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

At a special meeting of the Borough Council on Friday night, the Mayor reported having received the following cable with reference to the gasworks extension from Messrs. Cowan and Company, London: — "We cannot too fetrongly recommend acceptance f.o.b. without freight and insurance. Walker's purifiers and washer together, £340; governor, £45 pipes, £290. Please allow us to use our own. discretion with regard to freight; it will be to your advantage. Terms are . too stringent; can get nobody to take risk. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.'" The Mayor said "he had * consulted the gasworks manager, who recommended the accepting of the contract, and on the motion of Mr. Burton, seconded .by Mr. Fow, he was authorised to cable to this effect. The Mayor reported having placed another £1000 of debentures in connection with the gasworks loan free of exchange and commission. '

• The privileges in connection with the Waikato Trotting Club's meeting to be held on Saturday next were offered by Messrs. King and Co. on Saturday. The publican's and refreshment booths were sold privately and the gates withdrawn at £12 10s, but the cards were purchased by the Waikato Times for £4 ss.

The quarterly meeting of the Wesley Church, Hamilton, was held on Wednesday. The Rev. 11. L. Blamires presided. An increase in the church membership was reported, and the various departments of Ihe church were found to be in a satisfactory condition, the Sundayschool work being very favourably commented upon. A Sunday-school in connect tion with St. John's Church, Hamilton East, has been opened. The financial Statement, [ although not ; completed, was of a satisfactory nature. Mr. J. R. Fow was appointed lay representative to the conference, with Mr. W. F. Mason and Mr. J. E. Tidd substitute representatives. A Home missionary, to be employed more particularly in the northern end of the circuit, will take up his duties shortly.

BOMBAY.

[FROM OCR OWN CORIIESrONDIiNT.]

This district has had an awakening lately. Farms have been changing hands on all sides at satisfactory prices. Mr. Wilks, late of East Tamaki, about four months ago, purchased six of the sections owned by the Messrs. Evans Bros. Since then Mr. Miller has disposed of his 325-acre farm to Mr. Wallace, who has quickly parted with a portion of the farm to another party at a considerable advance in price. Mr. Eyre has sold his farm in two portions, one now being occupied by Mr. Graham, late M Flat Bush. Mr. James Evans 'has sold his dairy farm to Mr. Twydall for £25 per acre. * Blackberries have prevented people settling in this district, but it has been proved that two or three ploughings on arable land will, with the aid of the grubber and harrows, clear the land of these pests. On land not economically ploughable goats properly fenced in, and put on thick enough will, in time, keep down the blackberries, and if helped by the slasher and fire, will eventually clear the land of the same.

MAIHUKI.

[from our OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

The first -annual picnic of the settlers of No. 2 Government improved farm, Mangaoronga district, was held with the kind permission of Mr. Magher on his farm (the Pines) on the banks of the Mangaronga stream, on Boxing Day. The day was simply perfect, and the function passed off successfully. .After lunch sports were held for the prizes which were presented by the majority of the business people of Otorohanga, and won an follows:■ Married settlers' race: Mr. Sircombe 1, Mr. Ingham 2. Married ladies' race: Mrs. «T. Armstrong 1. Mrs. • Sircombe 2. _ Single ladies' race: Miss Di slier 1, Miss Sircombe 2. Settlers' championship race (120vds) : Mr. Sircombe, junr., 1, S. D. Chiles 2. Married ladies' consolation race, Mrs. Ingham 1. Special race (married ladies): Mrs. Stirman 1, Mrs. Armstrong 2. Single ladies' sack race: Olive Chiles 1, Mary Disher 2. Toys and lollies were provided for the young folks games for children were also arranged. The officers of the Crown Lands and Survey Department, of the Auckland district, sent Christmas present? to the settlers and their children at Christmas.

CLEVEDON.

[FROM A COIVRESI'ON'nEN'T.]

Great sympathv is felt' for Miss Clara Paton, who lias had to suffer amputation of the leg that was so seriously hurt last November, the unfortunate girl having been in the hospital ever since the a-cci-(l o.nt,