COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15513, 21 January 1914, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[prom OUB OWN CORRESPONDENTS. ]

iIORRINSVILLE.

SPECIALS" ENTERTAINED, o honour the "specials" who had rerHe d di f ; omAuckl r d - a «^v^ succ , b iTTS* and was an immense had hte About 10 complimentary tickets had been .ssued, and notwithstanding that he ntvW , } ' Part ° f the > ear - "lost of the invitations were accepted. The stage of the Empire Hall was converted into a drawmgroom, where the officers and their »>ves were seated Major R.Allen, whose ab.l.ties are well known, gave an interestffiitenant Uu A "^'Captain 1 Starkev, ■.leuionant .Marshall, and Mr. P 8 Ph,l oTs ie wrM gone A through $• =^ sindnT a,Ti, lrS ' Armstr »"g's exquisite 3LI Wtion at the con--2S -Rub; Britannia," the solo Dart f"}g Kule Britannia," the solo r>M-t &» her - The othw performs included Mrs. Isherwood, Mi Butler SuTeri Gam,wa >'> McLean, Osbom, and Sutherland's orchestra. Mr. H R C Francis (president of the Chamber of Commerce) occupied the chair Morr.nsv.lle was represented in a somewhat unusual way amongst the lesTSn '° Auckla " d - There g were ™ esf than four out of seven members of the low,, Board away, and the president and of the Fanners' Union be - sides some of our professional and businessmen.

At the meeting of the Town Board, held on I hursday last, it was decided to take steps to prevent cows being driven along Thames Street. As some people are occupying a lot of space on the footpaths in exhibiting their goods, it was decided to take proceedings against them when they cause an obstruction. Some time ago the board acquired 90 acres from the natives for a recreation ground, and gave permission to the rifle club to shoot on the range, but the natives have objected, and the club has referred the matter back to the board. The latter has instructed its solicitor to take action for trespass. Local sportsmen, requiring a training track, have been granted the use of the old racecourse for 10s a year for each horse. The engineer has been authorised to give estimates for various works in the town, including footpaths, opening of Lorne Street, kerbing of paths, and closing of drains; tenders are now being called for gravel to back up the new metal on Hamilton Road. During the past few months a number of the back streets have been metalled, and there will not be any trouble next winter in getting into the town, as has been the case during the past two years. On Thursday Mr. J. C. Hobbs was the means of saving the life of Mr. Howe. Both men were employed in fixing a ram for the septic tank at the school, and Howe, getting too near the edge of the river bank, fell over 12ft into 18ft of water. He was unable to swim, and Hobbs dived in after him. and it was only alter great difficulty that he succeeded iii rescuing him, as he had sunk for the third time. Mr. Hobbs is a very powerful swimmer, but as he had his clothes on, and there was a strong current where he was swimming, he ran considerable risk, and is deserving of commendation for his pluck. The Pavilion Grounds, which were opened this season, have proved a great success, and bowling, tennis, and croquet are in full swing every day. The grounds are a distinc* asset to the town, and show the foresight of the men who initiated and carried out the scheme. The bowlers have entered for the South Auckland tournament, to be held in Hamilton, the selected being Jephcoate, Howie, Cutforth, and Sims.

There is an agitation going on for the purpose of getting the headquarters of the Piako County Council back to Merrinsville. It is very well situated, and being a Railway junction, and more in the centre of the county than Te Aroha, it is only natural to expect that by the end of the year Morrinsville will be the county town.

The Salvation Army intends to make Morrinsville its headquarters owing to its being central. During the past three months there have been four new businesses opened here, and another lawyer and a native interpreter are to open offices this month.

DARGAVTLLE.

NEW HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.

At the last meeting of the Otamatea County Council, Mr. J. G. Coates, M.P., explained the position of 'he Marsden — Kaipara Hospital Board, and the severance of Hobson and Otamatea Counties *rom its constitution. He stated that, in view of the objections of the counties named to continue under the present constitution, the responsible Minister had, under the advice of tha Departmental offices f determined to terminate the existing board, and form a Kaipara Hospital Board, which would incorporate the borough of Dargaville and the objecting counties. Mr. Coates stated that the number of patients in Otamatea treated in the Whangarei Hospital during the year ended March 31, 1913, was only six. and the Otamatea inmates of the Cottage Home for the same period totalled eight, whilst the contributions from the county to the board for the current year amunted to £1320. The estimated amount of capital upon which interest was paid for the Whangarei institutions was £15,650, and that of Te Kopuru Hospital £3800. The capital expenditure for the last financial year was £1447 for Whangarei and £34 for Te Kopuru. The estimated income in connection with the latter hospital (which will be the main institution of the Kaipara Board) was £6443, of which Otamatea would contribute £1320, Hobson £1070, and the Borough of E.irgaville £314. .Next year Hobson's contribution would be much larger, owing to the rK2'>t revaluations of holdings. The estimated expenditure was £2474. Under the new Kaipara Board the annual cost to Hobson and Otamatea would be considerably less than in past years, and an annual saving of £3800 would be effected.

A meeting of the Marsden—Kaipara Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at Te Kopuru on Tuesday. Present: Messrs. Kernahan (chairman), Kerr, Bassett. Finlayson, Slade, McTnnes, McCar--roll. McLean. McCready. Mackenzie, Harding, and McKenzie. " The chairman and Mr. McKenzie were authorised to sign an agreement with Mrs. McMillan j for free training at St. Helens Hospital. The selection of a cottage hospital site at Otamatea was left for the new "board to deal with, while Messrs. Bassett, Harding, and McLean were appointed a committee to report upon the proposed lease of 10 acres from the Catholic Church authorities at Te Kopuru. Messrs. McCarroll and Finlayson were asked to report upon the necessity of a trained nurse being stationed at Maungaturoto. In connectK.a with the latter question, it was pointed out that there were large numbers of hands employed on railway construction and it was resolved to communicate with the Minister for Public Works, and request that under such conditions the Government should grant extia assistance to the board. The appointment* of Misses Quinn, Whisker, and Plulpot as probationers, and of Misses Jamieson and Hawkins as ward sisters were confirmed. At the last meeting of the Borough Council the question of fixing the statutory half-hohday was discussed. A petition signed by 35 storekeepers and 14 employees was presented in favour of Wednesday being observed, and a counter petition signed by 23 employers and 53 assistants favoured Saturday. Mr. P. F. Day and other speakers spoke in favour of the latter, and on the motion of the Mayor

(Mr. H. Hammond) consideration of the question was adjourned for a fortnight, in order that a conference might be arranged with the Hobson County Council. It was decided that all material stacked adjacent to the sawmill site in Lower Gladstone Street must be removed within a fortnight, so that the river frontage may be available to burgesses. The clerk reported the receipt of £25 from the Kauri limber Company for the services of the fare brigade in suppressing the recent fire at ie Kopuru. A communication was re"ed, from the Bank of New Zealand that the waterworks loan of £25,000 could not be financed by that institution. The Mayor reported that there was no hope of rawing the money at 5 per cent., and Mat it would be impossible to float the gas loan of £3000 unless the money was contributed on a 90 per cent, basis. It was resolved to call a- meeting of ratepayers in order that the proposed parks loan of £3000 should be dismissed the S ?nno°r tio v n , Sbe,ng£soo for Selwyn for ii .° 0 „- Or , Man B awhare Park. £500 for Mount Wesley Park, and £300 for beaut.ify.ng , he borough foreshore. It was decided that competitive designs for the mp.ovement of - Se,Wyn Park be invited, '£2 if? P t Z k 6 b ' ng £? 10s and the ««cond hriJT' he , u P erin tcn<lent of the fire 'C and t aU l h ° riSed to P-cha.se 600 ft briSe shed ° hare repairs effected to the connci, w led - comm ittee of the whole ST of It ! rranged t0 conßider the quespal £ eng a suitable sile for muni«pai chambers, and Messrs -R^a^ Port upon the sanitary service ? -' port upon the samtary serviced

BUCKLAND.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES HONOURED. soS'l tendered to^" 8 * f om P ] ™entery for sDecial „„i- the men who volunteered JEtSTSafS" and other work in «>"- nection with the recent strike in Auckland «« held m the **«»«> Ha 1 The* bers of a^, atte " f dance ' ,n . clußive °'" num M B F A t ters ?°? adjacent districts. li' j-j lan P res 'ded, and referred to the Kn had Unmade bv the men of the district, of whom over 100 volunteered their services for police duty in the city w,th,n a few hours after it become known assistance as required oj the authorities. He also spoke of the " nanim ' ty w? ,ich J . had prevailed generalKthroughout th district in connection with the matter. In returning thanks, several *.™ he f«if peCia i Spoke in appreciative terms of the good work carried out by those who undertook patrol and other work in the district, special mention being made of the assistance rendered in milking and other duties carried out on the farms of nose absent, in which work the ladies had taken no small part. During the evening a presentation of a silver-mounted inlaid writing-desk and silver pen was made by the " specials" to Mr. A. J. Melville, who was in charge of the Buckland contingent. A programme of instrumental, vocal and elocutionary it-ems was gone through, and refreshments were dispensed bv the ladies, fhe hall was afterwards cleared for dancing, the gathering breaking up in the early morning with the singing of "They Are Jolly Good Fellows" and "Auld Lang Syne." A united undenominational service in connection with the return of the " specials" from Auckland was held in the Public Hall on Sunday evening. The Rev. S. Nixon, moderator'of the Auckland Presbytery, conducted the service, which was largely attended. The annual picnic in connection with the Buckland Methodist Sunday-school took place on Mr. F. J. Beating's property. The weather was propitious for the event, and a most enjoyable day was spent. In order to mark the success which attended the raising of funds for the purpose of installing an acetylene gas plant and procuring a new organ for St- Paul's Anglican Church, a social—promoted by the ladies of the guild in connection with the church—was held in the Public Hall. The entertainment was of a varied nature, and provided a most enjoyable evening for all. It was announced that a total sum of £80 16s 6d, clear of all expenses, had been collected, which exceeded the amount required for the light and organ. The acetylene gas plant, which was installed for use on Christmas Day, is working most satisfactorily, while the new organ was used for the first time in the church on Sunday. Most of the visitors who have spent tne recent holidays here have now returned to their homes. Included in the holidaymakers were a number of former residents of the district, while the scholars of several Sunday-schools from Auckland and suburbs also made picnic excursions to Buckland.

CAMBRIDGE.

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY,

The payments to be made to-day by the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Company for butter-fat during the month of December last total £9274 18s 2d, being for 202,3521b at lid per lb. For the corresponding month. of last year the figures were £8970 2s . lid and 195,7131b respectively at the same price. Eighteen of the company's suppliers' cheques run into three figures. Mr. Robert Ashton, who for some time has been home missioner in the outlying districts of Cambridge, will sever his connection with the Cambridge Presbyterian Church about the end of March.

The quarterly meeting of the Cambridge Methodist circuit was held in the Fencourt Methodist Church on Friday. There was a good attendance of officials," the Rev. T. Trestrail presiding, and he thanked the Fencourt folks for the opportunity given to pay them an official visit. He reported an increase of church members for the quarter, making a total of 104. The circuit stewards reported a small deficit, for the quarter on the working expenses; due apparently to the many wet Sundays during the past two months. During"a conversation on finance a unanimous conviction was expressed that in church finance there was too little of business methods adopted. It was thought if all would decide on a weekly offering and give a fixed amount, all financial difficulties would end. No delegate was found willing to attend the coming conference at Dunedin in February. Messrs. R. Reynolds and W. R. Beer were reappointed circuit stewards for the coming year. A brief report of the synod was given by the chairman. Mr. L. Green declined an invitation to remain in the circuit for another year, hence the stewards were instructed to try and secure another in his place. The change will not take place until next April. It was resolved to hold the next quarterly meeting in Cambridge next April. There will be a military function in Cambridge at the end of this month when the Dominion staff tour of officers will be held there. Everything will be carried out on a war footing, except that the troops will be absent. General Godley will be present, and it is expected he will judge the various movements. There will be two armies, the red and the blue, and the operations will extend all over the district around Cambridge. Already accommodation has been secured at the various hostelries for 100 officers, so the occasion will be an important one, commencing on January 26 and lasting several days.

TE KUITI.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES. At the monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council held on Monday evening the question of metalling the main Te Kuiti-Mokau road was discussed at length. The road has been metalled by the Government between Te Kuiti and Pio Pio, over which section the traffic is very heavy. Nine miles of the road were then handed over to the County Council by the Government, but the portion handed over was in extremely bad repair. There is a vote on the current vear's Estimates of about £8000, of which about £5000 i? available. The council is requesting the Government to assist in remetalling the portion handed over, and is now awaiting a reply to the application. The question is of the highest importance to this district. The road taps a great amount of country, is the main thoroughfare to Taranaki, and is urgently in needof attention. There is some talk of a light railway between To Kuiti and Pio Pio, and it would be no surprise if the County Council took action in that direction. A deputation will probably proceed Co Wellington

> Ui interview the Minister for Public , Works concerning the whole question. A considerable amount of work is now , proceeding on the district roads, and a I number of further metalling contracts are . to be let. The Kio Kio loan involves an , expenditure of £10,000 on the roads north , of Otorohango, the Otewa loan provides . for metalling the road leading through the J Rangitoto settlement on the eastern side of the railway between Otorohanga and J To KmCi at a cost of about £3500. The '■ Pungarehu loan is an extension of the ■ Muroa scheme for metalling to Wailanguru at a cost of £2900. The Paraheka . metalling scheme, which has just been ■ carried, provides for about 13 miles of 1 metalling at a cost of £7000, while a project for metalling the Pio Pio-Aria main , road is under consideration. The loans already carried have been well subsidised , by the Government, and when the work is completed the roads of the district will be vastly improved. The Rangitoto block, which consistsj mainlv of occupied native land, is sadly i lacking in roads, and the settlers propose i to set up two special rating areas for the purpose of surveying, forming, and metalling the Rangitoto and Te Ahuroa roads leading from Te Kuiti eastwards towards the Waipa River, and this work will open up much fine country for settlement, as well as provide access to lands already occupied by Europeans. Town improvements are proceeding satisfactorily. The main streets are being well metalled with tarred macadam, and the footpaths widened and laid down with asphalt. The dam for the water supply is now under construction, and the contractor, Mr. L. Spencer, is pushing ahead with the work. Fortunately the dry spell now being experienced has not depleted the supply in the temporary dam, and no ; shortage is likely to be experienced unless j a severe drought set* in. The permanent i plant for the electrical installation has at last been completed, and has been given j a trial run. j

WHITFORD.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. The anniversary service of the Whitford Sunday-school was held in the Public Hall on Sunday, and was largely attended. The singing and reciting by the scholars were well received and much appreciated. The Rev. Morgan Richards conducted the service, and spoke with charming simplicity to the children. Mr. Richards is the newly appointed minister for Howick.

WAIHI.

MAGISTRATE'S COUKT. At yesterday's sitting of the Magistrate's Court (Mr. F. J. Burgess, S.M., presiding) the proprietor of the Talisman Hotel (R. Ascot] was fined £5 on one count and 10s each on five other counts, for technical breaches of the Licensing Act. For procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, A. E. Mallo was fined 30s on each of two charges. W. Windsor, who rode a horse on the footpath, was fined ss. Judgment for plaintiff by default was entered up in the following instances: —Pattison and Lockington v. A. Gillett, £2 8s 9d; F. J. Bullock v. Ethel Rawlings, £20. In a judgment summons case, H. R. Brindle (Mr. Jackson) claimed from W. Osborne, jun., £6 13s 7d, and defendant was ordered to pay the amount forthwith, in default seven days' imprisonment.

FRANKTON.

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. The committee of the Waikato Caledonian Society met on Monday night. Mr. Clarke, a member of the New Zealand executive, pointed out that as the' Auckland centre had decided to secede from the association in July next, it would mean that 80 clubs affiliated thereto would be disqualified. He urged the establishment of a South Auckland district, with Frankton as a centre, which would embrace about 25 clubs. This would prove more workable than the larger organisation. He said that the Auckland centre was governed by town men, and.urged that it would be a pity if the many years' good work of the central bodies should be lost. He pointed out that the large body of competitors at the recent Auckland meeting favoured the. continuance of the present organisation. It was decided that the club would take into consideration the proposal in regard to the new district. The secretary reported that the fields on January 29 promised to be even better than last year's. In response to a complaint from the. united friendly societies that the club had captured their picnic day, it was decided that no alteration in the date could be made.

HAMILTON,

MEMORIAL TABLET. On Anniversary Day the tablet erected in tbjs Whatawhata Cemetery by /the Victoria League in memory of the soldiers who fell in the Maori war, and were buried there, will be unveiled by Mr. K. F. Bollard, M.P. for Raglan, assisted by Mr. J. A. Young, M.P. for Waikato. The inscription reads:"Lest we forget. In memory of J. Coughlin, J. Clarkson, J. Collins, Jas. Cornish, John Clark, Joshua Reynolds, and others who died in the execution of their duty during the Maori war."