COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15175, 14 December 1912, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

fmOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] TE AROHA.

A LAUNCH PICNIC.

The launch picnic held in connection with the Te Aroha Men's Club was a great j success. Ideal weather conditions pre- : vailed, and members of the club and their friends, about 50 in number, greatly en- | joyed their trip on the Waihou. A landing was made at the picnic ground about a mile above the Waiorongomai bridge, where billy-tea was dispensed by the gentlemen, and a few hours were spent in various out-door games. Musical items ■were contributed by Miss Jessie Sweeney, Messrs. Moss, French, McCullougb, and the Rev. Hinton (who gave several violin "selections) on the return journey. It was unanimously decided that another picnic should be held at an early date, Wednesday, January 9, being decided upon. There was* a good attendance at the social held on Thursday evening, in aid of the Presbyterian Sunday-school. A good programme of songs and recitations was provided, and was much enjoyed by all. At the conclusion of the programme a number of prizes and certificates won by the scholars at the recent Sundayschool examination were distributed. The Theatre Royal, which has been in course of erection for the past few months, is to be opened on Monday evening by the lessee, Mr. C. R. Roberts. The building measures overall 50ft by 120 ft, with 3P?t studs. The dress circle measures 30ft by 6Clft, ft built on a slope, and fitted with tip-up chairs. The auditorium has Beating accommodation for 660.

HAMILTON.

SCHOOL PBIZ&GIVIXG.

The first prize-giving in connection with the Hamilton High School was held yesterday, when a large number of parents were present. The principal, Mr. Eben Wilson, in a review of the year's work, said this year's figures show an increase of 38 per* cent, on last year's. The present roll stands at 97. Of these 79 hold junior free places, and 12- senior free places, the remaining six are paying pupils. Four boys hold' Education Board scholarships of the value of £30 a year. Last year three boys passe 4 the matriculation and solicitors' general knowledge examination. An Education Board junior scholarship was won by R. Harman and L. Tomkins, who passed the Education Board senior scholarship examination. Eight scholars passed the junior Civil Service examination, R. Gwynne coming eighth and H. Fletcher 15th, out of several hundred candidates placed in the pass list. Five girls were mjccessful in the senior free-place examination. - Mr. G. Edgecumbe, chairman of the Board of Governors, outlined the liistory of the school from the initial work, which resulted in the establishment of the District High School till the opening of the prosent school in July, 1911. He congratulated the principal and his assistants on the success which had attended their efforts. Rev. A. Gow and Mr. C- L. MacDiarmid, members of the Board, also spoke. The prizes consisting of valuable books, bearing the school motto, were then presented to the successful scholars as follows General proficiency : Form V. —A. Lance Tomkins (dux of the school). English : Form V.—Archie Bacon. Form IV. —Roy Harman. Form ' 111. —Cyril Smith. Agricultural Form. —Dudley Jolly. French : Form V.Harry Carter- Form IV. —Aubrey d© Cock. Form lll.Cyril Smith. Latin: Roy Harman. Mathematics: Form V.—Harry Carter- Form XV. —May Beach. Form lll.—Cyril Smith. Agricultural Form.Noel Morris. Science : Form V.Blackmail. Form IV.Roy Harman. Form lll.—Cyril Smith. Agricultural Form. —Jeffrey McMiken. Mr. R Grace, who has been connected with the telephone exchange for some time, on leaving to join a local land agency, was the recipient of several presentations from his former co-workers as an expression of the esteem in which lie was held by them.

TE AWAMUTU.

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of delegates from the various branches of the Farmers' Union and other institutions in the district took place on Wednesday evening for the purpose of discussing the proposal to form an. agricultural and pastoral association in ie Awamutu. Representatives were present from Paterangi. Pirongia, Te Rore, Hatrini, Kihikihi, Te Awamutu, and Mangapiko. Mr. H. Jary was voted to the chair. The proposal was hilly discussed, those present being of opinion that such an association could be established in Te Awamutu. Those in the room were elected as a general committee, with Mr. Lawson as secretary. It was decided for the first year to hold a show of all local products. The delegates are to meet again on the first sale day next week and report on the support likely to be forthcoming from their respective centres. _ , The regular meeting of the Town Board was held on Thursday afternoon, there being present: Messrs. A. S. Wallace (chairman), W. Taylor, J. B. Teasdale, S. Matthews, and Dr. Reekie. Mr. Munro Wilson, of Auckland, the Board's engineer for the water works, was present and reported on the nrogress of works at the intake on the Pirongia Ranges. He also reported on the catchment area. The matter of lighting the township with electricity instead of coal gas was again discussed at some length. The chairman and Dr. Reekie reported on their interview with the Waihi Gold Mining Company, and from information received it was shown that the cost would be far too great for the Board to entertain the proposal to purchase electricity and construct a feeder line from Horahora and pay the necessary incidental expenses. It was decided to ask Mr. Black, of Wellington, to supply the Board with an estimate of the cost of a local plant. Dr. Reekie and Mr. S. Matthews were elected to represent the Board on the Library Committee. Mr. Bickerstaff, for some years a member of the Wellington Fire Brigade, wrote offering to assist the Board with the formation of a local fire brigade. Various street works were authorised to be carried out. This being the last meeting before tho holidays the chairman took the opportunity to thank members for their attention to their duties during the past and to extend to them seasonable greetings. Dr. Reekie, on behalf of the members, reciprocated the sentiments expressed.

TAUMARUNUI.

THE DISTRICT'S NEEDS.

The member for th© district (Mr. C. K. Wilson, M.P.) came to Taumartmui on Wednesday and stayed over yesterday. He was interviewed by the Borough Council regarding a number of matters of importance to the district. A bridge over the Wanganui River, giving access to existing settlers on the left bank, is much needed, especially to those who will occupy the lands to be offered very shortly by tho River Trust. It was proposed to the member that this cost should be shared equally by the Government, the River Trust, and the Borough Council, conjoined with the Kaitieke County Council. Mr. Wilson thought the idea a good one. The Mayor of Taumarunui (Mr. Wackrow) taid the River Trust should not bo permitted to offer the lands for auction until they had roaded them. The Mayor said that in case the lands brought more than the reserve put upon them by the trust, the difference should be available for helping to construct the bridge, as tho hind m question had appreciated in villus owing to getiejlil settlement. Mr. Wilson promised to fib into the matter very fully with the Prime Minister, Mi*. Voiu'li (Wangiinui), and Mr. R. W. Smith (VVaiwwirio), JJo protested strongly against the litnd being cut up at all without a proper vending scheme. Tito Chamber of Commerce (Mr. Winger president) brought before the member the vital lwcflwlty of improving the Kurarau Road, which give# access to Ohura. The grants on the Estimates had been useful iiM far as they went, but £2000 was neces-

sarv to complete the work. Mtl Wusin sh,ia lie: fully recognised the of the work, but said noting furt »T conld be done this financial year. n© tSu i» "a i» «*> i«e«r. to rs?*M? necessary grants when the tune came - . Beattie gave further information r eard inc the Wanganni River Bridge, and Mr. Winter explained to the member the importance of a bridge over the Tanngamntu ! stream, to give complete connection between Taumarunui and the Ohura, Ma the new service road from OW» The member also visited the school v, itb the chairman of the committee MrRiches) and several members of the committee.

WAIHI. I

ODDFELLOWS' MEETING. At the quarterly meeting of the Loyal Waihi Oddfellows' Lodge (Manchester Unity), the following officers were elected : N.G., R. R Lewis, P.G- ,* V.G., W. L. Crompton; elective secretary, Bro. Saunders: committee of management, Bros. F. Quigg, P.G.j D. J. Gardiner and W. Verry. A most interesting exhibition of work done by students, tne majority of whom, are public school children, was opened at the Waihi Technical School on Thursday evening. There was a large attendance of parents and others interested, and they were shown through the various departments by the supervisor (Mrs. H. Macky) and the instructors. In the ..dressmaking and millinery section (Mrs. A. M. King,' instructor) tue cut, style, and finish of the ! various garments was excellent, and the hats were most, tastefully trimmed. The cookery exhibits were varied and most invitingly prepared, and the useful articles of furniture shown in the wood-working department (Mr. A. T- Smith, instructor) gave evidence of skilful _ workmanship. These latter included inlaid work, in which New Zealand woods figured prominently, and well-made cabinets by the Rev. P. Cleary, and Messrs. F. Close and I. Brown, three adult students. Appended are the names of the principal exhibitors among the junior students Dressmaking and millinery : Misses E. Howe, Effie Wood, R. Samson, Alice Day, GraceTiernev. Doris Williams, M. McKee, Addie "Kinn, McAndrew, Thelma Robinson, Thorpe; in addition to the above each student exhibited a very carefully-made sampler. .Cookery, Waihi East School : Kathleen Robinson, May Penneii, Eka Gordon Cumming, Madge Comes, Florrie Fordj Anna Gracey, Lilian. Rigby, Eunice Dunn, Jennie Lang. Karangahake school : Florrie Davis, Rhoda Eayrs, Eileen Scully, Annie Lloyd, Gertie McGuire. Agnes Oats, Marion Patton, Dorothy Connolly, Mary Scott.

CCiEOMANDEL.

THE CROQUET CLUB.

The tournament promoted by the Coromandel Croquet Club for the trophy presented by Mrs. G. Sherwood has .been concluded. Following are the results: — Second round : Mrs. Radford beat Mrs. NeOly, by 4£ points ; Mrs. Home beat Mrs. Denize by 24 points; Mrs. Maunder beat Mrs. Carivon by 7 points; Mrs. Campbell beat jliss Keery by 6 points. Third round : Mrs. Home beat Mrs. Campbell by 5J points ; Mrs. Radford beat Mrs. Maunder by 9 points. Final: Mrs. Radford beat Mrs. Home by 85 points, and, won the trophy, a handsome croquet mallet. Another tournament is now proceeding. The creamery is now at its busiest period and when suppliers are delivering cream the factory is a Tegular hive of industry. Tho output has gradually increased from half a ton at the commencement of the season until it has now reached the satisfactory output of nearly a ton per week.

POKENO.

OLD RESIDENT'S FUNERAL.

The funeral of the late Mr. John Dean took place on Wednesday afternoon, when there was a large gathering of people to pay the last tribute of respect to the oldest settler in the district. There were visitors from Mercer, Tuakau, Bombay, Maungatawhiri, Maramarua, Miranda, and Auckland. The deceased leaves four sons and three daughters and several grandchildren to mourn their loss. He was seized with a stroke about six weeks ago and gradually grew worse until his death, which took place at his son's residence in Auckland last Sunday evening. His remain* were laid to rest in the Church of England cemetery, the Rev. Thos. Fisher being the officiating minister. Mr. A. F. W. Lorie, of Pokeno Valley, has sold his farm, some 670 odd acres,, at a highly satisfactory figure to Mr. Goodman, from the Waikato.

Th telephone has been extended to "Mr. Jas. Graham's residence it Poke.no Valley, which will be a great convenience to the settlers there.

The building trad© has been fairly active here for the past month, several additions to dwellings and business premises having been carried out. Mr. Jas. Brown is building a large commodious store near the railway station, having secured a splendid site for the same. Mr. F. Douglas is building a billiard saloon on his sections, which he purchased recently. The Rev. Angus McDonald is leaving here on Monday, much to the regret _ of the inhabitants of this and surrounding districts, he having received a call from the people of Waipu, who are to be congratulated in their choice of a pastor and preacher.

PAPATOETOE.

HAYMAKING IS" PEOGEESS.

While the hay crops are not so heavy as last year the quality is good, and * the very fine weather experienced lately has been ideal for haymaking. For over 30 years the afternoon Waikato train left the city at 4.15 o'clock. Only recently was it altered to 4.25 p.m., ana since the alteration the running has been anything but satisfactory to residents of Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, and Manurewa. An hour and a-quarter to do 11 miles is a common occurrenoe, while long, tiresome waits at several of the stations make the journey (especially on a warm, close afternoon) anything but pleasant.