COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15481, 12 December 1913, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from OCR own CORRESPONDENTS.] TE AROHA. OLD RESIDENT'S DEATH. TnE people of Te Aroha, Waikato, and Thames Valley received a rude shock on Tuesday on learning of the death of Mr. Thomas Gavin, who has been a resident of Te Aroha for over 30 years. Death was due to miners' complaint. Gavin was one of the first to peg out a mining claim at the opening of the Te Aroha goldfield in 1880. and ever since that date, until two' years ago, he controlled mining interests in this district. For the past nine years Mr. Gavin has held the position of managing director of the Te Aroha Dairy Company. At the date of his appointment the district was producing 140 tons of butter per annum, while last season his company produced 600 tons of commercial butter. For very many years Mr. Gavin has been one of the most forward movers in connection with the Te Aroha Jockey Gnb, and for ten years he represented tha ratepayers on the Piako County Council, the greater portion of which time he held the position of chairman. Mr. Gavin was a prominent member of the Tauran'ga Licensing Committee. Amongst other local positions held by Mr. Gavin was that of president of" the Te Aroha Hibernian Society, as well as a responsible position in the Te Aroha Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

A meeting of the Te Aroha Fire Brigade was held on Tuesday night, 16 members being present. It was agreed ".to despatch five representatives to compete in It-he firemen's competition at Auckland Exhibition. The following prizes were awarded in connection with a recent .com-' petition:— 1 team, Foreman Bvgrare, Fireman Hill, Fireman G. McCord;"No.2 team, Captain Pilkington, Fireman S. MiCord, Messenger T. Newsham.

' PAEROA. If NEW ROAD OPEN. : hf The lower road between Paeroaand Te Aroha, which has just been opened for traffic, was officially opened on Tuesday, when members of the Ohinemuri County Council and others made the journey through by motor-car. The trip to Te Aroha took just an hour, but the journey hack was made in 45 minutes. At Te Aroha the visitors wore entertained by the Mayor (Mr. R. L. Somers), and at the luncheon Mr. H. M. Corbett (chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council) expressed the thanks of the visitors for the hospitality shown by Mr. Somers. The new road is between 15 and 16 miles in length, and, although fairly rough in places, will soon be in a good state, as there is a substantial sum on this rear's estimate* for the work. A social in connection with the Paercs Presbyterian Sunday-school was held on Tuesday night, when the prizes won dicing the past year were presented iiy the superintendent, Mr. J. Couper. At the annual meeting of householders in connection with the Paeroa Fire Brigade, the following were elected a fire"prevention council for the ensuing year:Messrs. P. Brenan (president). M.Finkelstein (secretary), E. V. Quick W. D. Nicholas, and 0. McAndrew. Mr. AH. \\ Uson was appointed auditor. The mission that has been conducted at Ft. Paul's Church during the past few davs bv the Rev. T. Rees was concluded with an'earlv morning service on Wednesday. The addresses by the missioner have been most interesting throughout, and all the services have been well attended. After the service on Tuesday night the Rev. Rees mi entertained at a strawberry supper by members of the CE M S "