COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15501, 7 January 1914, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

[fSOH OUB OWN COEBESPONDEHT&I KOTORUA.

STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR. During the 12 months ended December} 31. building permits to the number of 41! were issued in Kotorua, and the value oj the improvements effected was £11,810, During 1912. 36 permits, representing improvements of a value of £8660, wera issued. Five births were registered in December, against 10 in the same month! of 1912. For the quarter ending December 31, 19 were registered, against 28 is the same quarter in the preceding vear. For the year 91 were registered, again 97 in 1912. Three marriages were registered in December, against four in the previous December. For the quarter 10 were registered, against 11 in the last) quarter of 1912, and the total for tha year numbered 32, against 48 in 1912. Two deaths were registered in December, against none in the previous December. During the quarter five were registered, the same number as in the corresponding quarter of 1912. The total number of deaths during the year was 34, compared with 24 in 1912. The weather has been delightful ia Botorua of late, and in consequence thai visitors have been able to enjoy their stay and trips during the holidays. At the present time numerous visitors are enjoying the sights of the thermal regions, and all the boardinghouses are fairly well filled. The roads in the district are in excellent order at present, but the dust is making its appearance fast, and thus "making it unpleasant for the various trippers.

CAMBRIDGE. VITAL STATISTICS. The _ vital statistics of the Borough 08 Cambridge for the month of December were :—Births 6, marriages 4, deaths 2. For the quarter the figures were 21, 1?. and 7 respectively.

HAMILTON. RECHABITES' OFFICERS. The resignation of the secretary of th* Hamilton Tent of the Independent Order of Rechabites, Bro. C. Ward, owing to early removal from Hamilton, was accepted with regret at the half-yearly meeting. Officers for the ensuing half-year were elected as followsC.R., Bro. G. Pung. re-elected; D.R., Bro. Silvester, re-elected ; treasurer, Bro. S. Pethybridge, re-elected; secretary, Bro. J. Mills; guardian, Bro. F. P. Lea; levite, Bro. T. Davis; cash steward, Bro. J. Jebson: book steward, Bro. Isaacs; auditors, Bros. J. Jebson and W. Beaver. The secretary was appointed to represent the tent on the Waikato Friendly Societies' Executive Council

CLEVEDON. CHURCH PARADE FOB SCOUTS. '' A church parade was held on Sunday afe All Souls' Church for the benefit of the visiting boy scouts. A large congregation, which overflowed! to the porch, was attracted. A very impressive service waa given by the vicar. The boy scouts are giving a concert in the Public Hall on Wednesday. They entertained their friends at afternoon tea in the camp or Sunday afternoon, and are extremely pleased with their splendid holiday, hav-i ing had. an ideal camping ground with all natural advantages and magnificent weather all the time. A very heavy shower fell on Friday extending from Clevedon South past Brookby, and was much appreciated by those who were needing rain for .theis turnips and the household tanks. HELENSVILLE. SHOW PREPARATIONS. A general committee meeting of - thfl Helensville A. and P. Association made':» selection of judges for the forthcoming show, the cookery and needlework sections being referred to the ladies' committee. After discussion on the question of endeavouring to get a Sunday train service between Helensville and Auckland, it was decided that the full committee be authorised to act as a deputation to interview the Minister for Railways on the matter, The appointment of stewards and other show details were left until next meeting. The erection of a large boardiaghousa at the Hot Springs is now being proceeded with, and, added to the present accomt modation, should prove of great convent ence to the tourist traffic.