COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15549, 5 March 1914, Page 9

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from 0(7B OWN correspondents.!

HAMILTON.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT CASES. A well-known footballer named Michael McKey was charged on Tuesday with deserting his wife at Dunedin four years ago. On his agreeing to an order for the payment of 8s a week for the maintenance of his child, and for the payment of arrears of maintenance, £6 12s, the charge was withdrawn. Wm. Clarkson, who described himself as a motor and cycle agent, was committed for trial on a charge of having, about October, 1911, received money from John Ross, of Tepahu, by false pretences. At a previous hearing a request had been made far the charge to be withdrawn, but this the magistrate refused. The evidence showed that Clarkson sold a small motor which he did not disclose was mortgaged, and which was afterwards seized, to a Mr. Ross, receiving a motor-bicycle, and interest in a patent bull-hobble, and cash. William, Smith, of Karamu, charged with shooting a sheep, the property of Johnstone Bros., and stealing the carcase, was committed for trial;

At a social gathering of the congregation of the Baptist Church, the Rev. W. and Mrs. Green received presents from the members and adherents in appreciation of their work on behalf of the church.

The committee of the Easter Carnival has drawn up a comprehensive programme for the carnival on Easter Monday, which will be ' submitted to a meeting of the general committee. Excellent entries have been received for the sports meeting on. Saturday at which the 'American athletes will .compete, and 60me interesting racing may be anticipated.

CAMBRIDGE. A DRAINAGE CONTRACT. The Fencourt Drainage Board met here on Saturday, Mr. R. Swayne presiding. Only one tender was received for a sixmiles' drainage contract— of P. Colvin —which was accepted. The members of the Cambridge Croquet Club were entertained on Saturday afternoon by Mrs- J. R. S- Richardson. A club tournament was played, the winner in grade A being Mrs. H. A. Bell, and in grade B Mrs. H. A. Edmonds. Mrs. Nicoll won the consolation prize for the lowest score.

A polo practice match was played at Bardowie, Cambridge, on Saturday, the players being: Taylor (2), Meredith, Evans, Crowther, Prow, Wells, Banks (2), Vosper, and Graham. Mr. E. Fraser was umpire. Arrangements for the Waikato Central Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show are complete in every respect, and practically all that is needed to make the function a success is favourable weather.

The executive of the 4th (Waikato); Mounted Rifles, at a recent meeting, Major Walker presiding, decided to hold military sports in the local showgrounds on May 9. An excellent programme of events was drafted. There should be good entries from the mounted and infantry brigades, which will be in camp here on that date.'

WAIPU.

NEED FOR A RAILWAY. A public meeting of the settlers of Waipu was held in the Coronation Hall. Mr. Gus McKay, chairman of the Waipu Railway League was in the chair, and stated that the meeting had been called to discuss matters in regard to the very unsatisfactory means of transit available for both goods and passengers to and from the district. The secretary of the Railway League, Mr. F. Murdock, read a report of the work done by the league for the last 5i years. After considerable discussion it was ! unanimously, agreed that the matter of routes for a railway be left in the hands of the engineers in charge to decide between a light line to deep water at Onetree Point, or a line to connect with the main line at Mangapai, the latter being preferred by the people. In the course of his report on the weather conditions, Mr. H. B. Devereux, F.R.M.S., gives the rainfall for the month of February as 1.79 in, compared with an average fall of 4.58 in for the corresponding month of last year. During the previous 15 years the driest February was in 1909, when only one quarter of an inch of rain fell, and the wettest was in 1910, when over 13in of rain was recorded. Mr. F. Reed, inspecting engineer to the Mines Department, and Mr. M. Paul, district inspector of mines, have just completed an inspection of the local mines and the Waihi Gold Mining Company's battery at Waikino. The" lengthy drought has so reduced the municipal water supply that, should rain not fall sUtrtly, there will be a water famine in Waihi. At a meeting of the committee of the Waihi Amateur Swimming and Life-saving Club on Tuesday evening it was decided to postpone the club's carnival until Wednesday, the 16th inst. MATAMATA. HARVEST FESTIVAL. The Anglican All Church was crowded on Sunday evening, when the annual harvest festival was held. The offertory, which amounted to £4 8s Bd, will be given to the Home Mission fund. ' The fruit and produce are to be forwarded to the orphanage at Papatoetoe. The services was conducted by the vicar.

BUCKLAND

SPORTS AND PICNIC.

A meeting of the committee of the combined athletic sports gathering and farmers' picnic, which is to be held at Buckland on Saturday next, was held in. the Public Hall, when final arrangements were made. It was agreed to effect various improvements to the grounds, and stewards were appointed. An intimation was received from Mr. R. F. Bollard, M.P., patron of the club, that he would be present at the fixture. The secretary reported the receipt of a number of trophies donated by business people, while the membership tickets were moving off freely. GORDONTON, SERIES OF PRESENTATIONS. Presentations were made on Satnrdav of a silver-mounted dressing case and greenstone tiki to Nurse Wilks, who is resigning her position as Maori mission nurse, which she filled with exceptional courage and efficiency during the recent epidemic. The assistant nurse, Mara who is shortly to be married to Roto, was presented with a breakfast and tea service, and Roto with a travelling bag. A kitchen gift stall, which was organised, also secured a number of useful articles for the young coupleHELENSVTLLE. FORESTERS' NEW HALL. The official opening of the Foresters' new hall, termed the Star Theatre, which was held in conjunction with a dance social the other evening, was a very successful function. The hall, although not quite finished, is of an elaborate and up-to-date order, and the local Foresters were highly complimented on their enterprise by the various speakers. The district officers present were: Bros. G. Strode. D.C.R.; J. Shaldrick, 1.?.D.C.R.; W.\ J.Barton, D.J.W. ; R. Darlow, D.S.; and H. Dawson, D.B. Each of the speakers dealt with the benefits of Forestry, andi v. »

also congratulated the local lodge on getting such a fine hall- The opening ceremony was entrusted to Bro. Strode, whose declaration was received with loud applause. About 70 couples took part in the dancing, which, with supper and bright music made up a most enjoy evening. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday fisherman named George Constable was fined £3 and costs for a breach of the regulations governing the fishing industry by " stalling" in the Kaipara Harbour. lie defendant pleaded that he had been off work for a fortnight, owing to a poisoned hand, prior to setting the nets, and that he had accidentally slept in while the tide receded and left his nets dry. Mr. E. Page, S.M., occupied the Bench.

WHANGARET.

PASSING OF A PIONEER.

The death of Mrs. J. S. Rust at the advanced age of 85 years marks the passing of yet another of the pioneers of the district, as the deceased lady had resided in Whangarei since 1854. The late Mis. Rust, who was predeceased by her husband some years ago, leaves a son and five daughters, also a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The interment took place on Tuesday at the Mission cemetery. At a meeting of the council of the Whangarei Acclimatisation Society held on Saturday it was decided to take steps to have the approaching shooting season declared a close one, and to liberate immediately the bulk of the consignment of 177 Mongolian pheasants imported from England. The remainder of the birds will be retained in captivity for breeding purposes.

ALBANY.

APPLES FOR EXPORT.

A demonstration of grading and packing applas for export was given by Orchard-Instructor Thompson in Mr. Boyd's packing shed on Tuesday, befoxe a large number of fruitgrowers. Mr. Thompson had on exhibition a new bushel case, the use. of which the Department of Agriculture it l advocating and which it is considered, will be adopted for export purposes next season. The inside dimensions of this case are 19-Jin by by lOin and among the advantages claimed for it above other standard bushel <ases are that 24 go to ton as against 22 of the old union bushel. It was also shown by Mr. Thompson that all grades of apples are more easily packed in it. After packing 2£in apples in the new esse, the same apples were transferred to the ordinary union case, and it was found that 13 more apples were required to fill the latter. A short impromptu conference on packing and the fruit trade generally took _ place, and the urgent need of newconditions in the marketing of fruit, such as the grading and packing of all fruit to a, -ecognised standard, under Government inspection, was dealt with. Mr. A. Harris, M.P., at the solicitation of Crown tenants on the Otewa Block in company with Mr. I. Jackson, county engineer, waited on the Commissioner of Crown Lands recently with the result that the latter has agreed upon a basis of compensation with Mr. Eastwood, owner of land through which the main road through the block has to pass. Instructions have now been given to the contractor to proceed with the formation of the road at once. This will be welcome news to all concerned.

ROTORUA. THE COMING ELECTION. The political situation .is beginning to become interesting in this portion of the Tauranga electorate. Recently a branch of the Liberal Association was formed in • Rotorua and Mamaku has now followedin , the footsteps of the capital of the thermal i regions and formed another branch of the [ association, with the object of advancing , the cause of the Opposition. At a meet- . ing held recently at Mamaku, the new : branch decided to recommend Rotorua as i the most suitable place to hold the pro- . posed conference of delegates from . the various branches in the elector- . ate. The object of the conference will be to select a candidate to contest the seat , against the Hon. W. H. Hemes. The • election this year promises to be a keenly- , fought one and several aspirants are al- . ready mentioned-as intending candidates. . The Reform Party is also displaying activ- , lty. During the past week Mrs. Von . bturmer (organising secretary) and Mrs Ross (secretary of the Auckland > branch T of the Women's Political ( Keform League) have been in Rotorua on '' i a rr connected with their organisation. i On Tuesday afternoon a meeting of the ladies committee was held in Empire | boardmghouse and was attended by a fair .number of interested workers ' I A meeting of ladiee, held at The Australia yesterday afternoon, decided to form a branch of the Women's Political Reform , rffif » Th ?, iollo ™*g officers were » elected: President, Mrs. J. N. McLean- - vice-presidents, Mesdames W. E. Bennet' - R- Griffiths and C. H. C. WorthSn/ I secretary and treasurer, Mrs. E Dyson : 7 committee Mesdames Hudson, Hobben, ' rffiT' McDowell (2), lies, Steele, E , Robertson, A. Munro, McDonald, Gard--5 ner, F. Goodscm, Judge, Cottrell and Maxwell Mrs. Von Stunner addressed the » meeting. " TE AROHA. JiATAMATA COUMTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Matamata County Council was held at Tirau on MonT \ a members ? r ? Bent being: Messrs. \* r,? reOT J cbairTO!tn >' Pohlen, Barnett, Watkins Miller, McCaw, and Potts, the Hon. W. Fraser wrote regarding the councils application for a grant 'for the Kaimai Track stating that the. position was that on December 2 Messrs. J. Pdhl-n S&o J F" rl ? »* reed with him that if £200 wa s placed on the Estimates for the Maungawliero to Kaimai Road they would prefer to see the monev spent there rather than on the Kaimai Track. On the understanding that he could not provide money for both works he could not now do anything for the Kaimai Track. Nine settlers on Luck-at-Last Road gave notice that they were agreeable to being formed into a, special rating area to enable the council to raise a loan of £300 for road work. It was decided to make the necessary application. . The monthly meeting of the Chamber of

Commerce was held at the County Cham- I bers on Monday evening, she president, Mr. J. D. Morrison presiding. The secretary brought forward the matter of an alteration to the Auckland-Thames express time-table. If the train left Auckland at 11 a.m. and only stopped at Mercer, Frankton, Hamilton, and Morrinsville, the train would be a more satisfactory one as many travellers would come to Te Aroha if they found the journey shortened. The motion in favour of the proposition was carried. Mr J. D. Morrison suggested that the Tirau I tram be run so as to connect with the 9.5 a.m. train from Morrinsyille to Te I Aroha Tirau and Matamata settlers would thus be able to get to and from Te Aroha in one day. It was resolved that the suggestion be forwarded to the Railway Department and that the Farmers' Union branches at Tirau and Matamata be asked to give its support. Mr. Bossons brought up the question of a light line railway from Matamata to connect later with the proposed Paeroa-Pokeno line. This would suit Manawaru, and if the chamber desired to help Te Aroha, the matter was worthy of consideration. It was decided to further consider the subject at the next meeting. At Manawaru on Tuesday night a large number of residents met in the Manawaru Hall to discuss the question of forming a musical society. Mr. A. Thackeray presided. After some discussion it was unanimously agreed to form a musical society and the following officers were elected: — \ Patron, Hon. W. H. Hemes; president, Mr. W. T. W. Hughes;. vice-presidents! Messrs. G. Sheehan, J. White E. Fitz- ' gerald, M. Finlay; W. Lockye'r, S. Gibbons, M. Cronin, T. McLaren* and C. Sutton; conductor, Mrs. F. White; committee, Messrs- S. Wright, Allen, Hughes, TrebilcOj and Mrs. Curry. Some 35 memI bers were enrolled. I Mr. L. Clark and party visited the Waiomio and Waihou streams a few days ago and were successful in securing a few nice I trout, the largest of which reached 51b,