COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14926, 26 February 1912, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS.

WAIHI. [BT TKLIGJUr-.—OWN COKRESFONDENT.] "Waihi, Saturday. The monthly meeting of the Waihi Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held last evening, Mr. J. Newth presiding. The medical superintendent (Dr. Robertson) reported the following statistics for the month Patients admitted to hospital, 40; discharged, 44; deaths, 1; operations, 4; at present in hospital, 57. Tho health inspector (Mr. ErwinJ reported two cases of infectious disease during the month. HUNTLY. [t'ROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Huntly, Saturday. A meeting of tho residents of Haka-rioa-sireei. lodged a strong protest against tho action of the Waikato Drainage Board in attempting to levy a drainage rate upon those living in the northern part of the town, on the ground that they had not Uwsn privileged to vote tor or against the scheme, and would derive no benefit from it. A motion to tho effect that the ratepayers should stick together and take a | test case before the courts of law was carried. The chairman was asked to inquire whether the- constitution of the Board was legal, and to ascertain the extent of that body's power to levy rates. A general meeting of the members of the Waikato Miners' Onion was held in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday night. The quarterly financial report was adopted. Mr. E. Hunter's resignation from the executive and the Hall Committee was accepted with regret, the vacancies being filled by Messrs. H. Wilson and F. Knapper, while Mr. T. Marshal] was elected correspondent tt> the Maoriland Work*? in place of Mr. Hunter. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. James Doyle addressed those present on the Lilhgow strike. Fifty pounds was voted to the strike fund. The statutory monthly meeting of the Huntly Town Board was held on Thursday. The chairman (Mr. J. P. Bailey) welcomed Mr. (I. T. Horwood to his seat on the Board. As a result of inquiries for metal it was decided to hold a conference of local bodies to ascertain if by means of joint action the quarry could not be utilised. Messrs. Harris, Horwood, and Green well were appointed to bring the question of the drainage of surface water from Rayner's Road before the notice of the railway authorities. The tender of Messrs. Hill and Hackott for carting metal at Is 6d per yard was accepted. The chairman stated that it was the Board's intention to mstal more lamps before next winter. Accounts amounting to £247 on the general fund was £226 on the loan account were passed for payment. Considering the fine weather the mines have worked well since the beginning of the year, any stoppages having been caused by lack of waggons instead of lack of orders. One factor, of course, has been the somewhat moist weather, which has permitted the Railway Department to utilise the Taupiri fuel without danger from fires by the emission of sparks. A public meeting to discuss the formation of a Chamber of Commerce has been called for an early date by Mr. J. B. Bailey, in accordance with a requisition. CAMBRIDGE. [from orn own correspondent."] Cambridge, Saturday. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Cambridge Borough Council was held on Friday evening. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr. Mervyn Wells (deputy-Mayor) presided. A vote of condolence with the Mayor in the loss of his wife was passed. The borough engineer was authorised to obtain the necessary pipes, .and complete the work of draining the Government •swamp. Tenders were opened for work in drainage areas No. 2, but being in excess of the loan money authorised, and also of the engineer's estimate, no tender was accepted. The whole matter was then referred back to the Drainage Committee to bring forward a modified scheme. The engineer reported that the Karipiro bridge was unsafe for heavy traffic, but that if aboat £150 were'epent upon it, it would last for another seven years. The financial statement showed' the overdraft at date as £1828. It was decided to withdraw permission to graze cattle on the streets as from April 1, one member saying that for the sake of about a dozen people who owned cows all the rest of the people in the borough were annoyed. TUAKAU. [from our own correspondent.] Tcakau, Saturday. Tenders for fencing the proposed Tua-kau-Whangarata Road are being called, so that activities on this new work may be begun immediately. The Waikato River Board has started operations, and before long a large number of workmen will be employed in the new channel works. The formation of a new Town Board, which was mooted a few months ago, has not yet reached a very definite stage, but BOKKstbing further may bo done beforo long.