COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15269, 5 April 1913, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

[ffEOM OUB OWN CQBBESPONDENTS.] taumarunui. POLICE ADMINISTRATION. TATJMARtrKUi has been constituted a police sub-district, and Sergeant Miller, late of Christchurch, has been appointed to take charge of it. He will have control of the Taumarunui, Raurimu, and Ongarue stations, and also the Ohura and Kaitieke districts. The Borough Council has decided to erect small subsidiary fire brigade stations at Rangaroa and Matapuna suburbs. The plans for the new main fire brigade station were recently passed. The Otunui settlers have now specially strong grounds for urging improvements to the Kurarau Road. Recently Mr. Shields, a fanner had a wonderful escape. Yesterday, another farmer, Mr. Goodwin, while driving a waggon and three horses, had a similar experience. The wheels skidded on a slippery part of the narrow road, and the waggon and horses rolled over the bank to the creek below. The animals were safely extricated. The Advances to Settlers Department has agreed to grant a loan of £2180, being 10 per cent, of the original borough loan to finish town improvements, etc. Timber is now being carted from Raurimu to Retaruko district for the erection of a bridge over that river. The building material for the Kaitieke is also being taken to the site.

ALBANY. THE AGRIGUI/TUBAL SHOW. A weight-guessing competition was held at the recent Albany show, a pig being the object of calculation. The correct weight of the pig was 901bs, and Mr. G. Creamer won the prize with a guess of 87£lbs. The gold medal presented by Mr. A. M. Myers, for most points in the fruit and vegetable classes, was won by Mr. W. Hooton. The trophy for most points in the cooking class was won by Miss Lochead. TE AROHA. MANAWAEU PICNIC The annual picnio in connection with the Manawaru School was held on Wednesday, when settlers were present from Waihou, To Aroha West, Gordon, Wardville, and other districts. In the evening a social was held in the Manawaru HalL The profits from the picnic and social are to be expended on the improvement of the school grounds. The second polo tournament of tne season between teams selected from the Waihou Club was played on the property of the president, Mr. H. Magill, at Waitoa on Wednesday. The trophies, consisting of two set 3 of sticks, which were given by Mr. L. Booker, of Te Aroha, were won by J. O'Grady's and T. O'Grady's teams. The Tourist Department has commenced the clearing of some of the waste lauds within the domain area. The Morrinsville Ministers' Association met at tho Methodist Church, Te Aroha, on Monday. It was resolved that an active campaign in the interests of the Bible-in-Schools League should be undertaken by the association, commencing with a meeting at Morrinsville on Sunday evening, April 13, and e, similar meeting at Te Aroha on the following evening.

CAMBRIDGE. BRASS BAND CARNIVAL. A committee has been sot up, in conjunction with Mr. Owen Cardston, to organise the carnival in aid of the funds for the purchase of uniforms and new instruments for the Cambridge Brass BandV Mr. A. Duncan is chairman of the committee, and Messrs. J. T. Young and W. Kate joint secretaries. An art union is being arranged in connection v;ith the effort, The carnival will extend from May 5 to May 10. - TE KUITI. CATHOLIC CHURCH BAZAAR. A bazaar in aid of the Roman Catholic Church was opened in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. A. Scholes, chairman of the Waitomo County Council. In the evening there was a large attendance and excellent business was done. The bazaar is on a larger scale than any similar previous function promoted by the church, and it will be continued till Saturday evening. ROTORUA. LOCAL CHURCH AFFAIRS. The quarterly meeting of the Methodist Church was held on Tuesday evening. A credit balance of £12 was reported, this being partly due to tho successful.harvest festival. It was resolved to donate £6 to the Trust funds. This being the first meeting since tho union of the Methodist churches, the officers elected at the last quarterly meeting were re-elected. Bishop Averill, who is now in the district, conducted a confirmation service at St. Luke's last evening, at which a large congregation was present. Nine persona were confirmed. The picnic held in the Government Grounds by St. John's Guild was most successful. The object was to raise funds for the purchase of new crockery for tho recently-built hall. The Rev. T. Scott, of St. John's Church, has returned to Rotorua much improved in health, and has resumed his ministerial duties.

SILVEEDALE. VISIT OP THE PEIME MINISTBE. The Prime Minister (the Hon. W. F. Massey) is expected to visit Silverdale at an early date. He will be entertained at a banquet by residents of the district. A strong committee has been formed to make the arrangements. It is the intention of the committee to make the entertainment a Waitcmata affair, and it is expected that all the districts in the electorate will be well represented. Mr. Massey is to advise the committee when it will he convenient for him to visit the district. '

CLEVEDON. CROQUET TOUENAMENT. . The members of the Presbyterian Bible Class, to cover a deficit on their picnic (caused by bad weather) gave a social evening in the Public Hail on Wednesday, which was very well attended and quite successful in its object. Competitions of different kinds were contested, cards, parlour croquet, and games provided; and an excellent, and varied programme of songa, duets *md recitations was given. The semi-finals of the North Road Croquet Club's tournament were finished on Tuesday, when Mrs. J. Hale and Mrs. McNicol beat Mrs. Browne and Mrs. Hale. On Thursday Mrs. J. Halo and Mrs. McNicol met Mrs. W. Stephens and Mrs. Carote in the final round, the former pair winning after a well-fought game played in very boisterous weather. Mrs. W. T. Bell, of Woodlands, then presented Mrs. J. Hale and Mrs. McNicol with a pair of candlesticks. A vote of thanks was given to Mrs. Bell for donating the prizes.