COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15557, 14 March 1914, Page 11

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OOtt OWN CORRESPONDENTS. 1 HUNTIA". PRESBYTERIAN CONCERT. 'A vert successful concert was given by the Presbyterian Church choir in the Miners' Union Hall on Tuesday evening. The attendance was large, and, judging by tho applause so heartily accorded, the largo number present fully appreciated the musical Ireat provided. The first part of tho programme consisted of Adams' cantata, "A Song of Thanksgiving,'' which, despite its difficulties, was most capably interpreted by thfi choir of 35 voices, under the baton of Mr. Norman, the choirmaster. Th« accompaniments, which wers of groat assistance, were played by Miss Starr and Mr. W. Darby's "orchestra ol six instruments. The tenor, soprano, contralto, and bass solos were finely rendered by Mr. Norman, Mrs. F. James, Mrs. Norman, and Mr." B. Kinson, as also was the duet by Miss Brownlie and Mr. J. Camming*. The second part of the programme comprised an instrumental selection by tho Darby Orchestra, a vocal quartette by Miss J. Brownlie, Mrs. Norman, Messrs. Norman and Kinson; a duet by Messrs. Norman and Kinson, and songs by Mrs. F. James and Miss Jones. A meeting of tho Snorts Committee was held on Wednesday evening, when there was an excellent attendance. The secretary intimated receipt of cash subscriptions amounting to over £70, and trophies of considerable value. The offer of the Scots Society, to donate six guineas for a Highland dancing competition, was received, and '.ho committee decided to ad/1 to the programme a bagpipes competition, and to award the handsome and massive silver cup presented to tho committee by Mr. C. Maxwell to the winner of an open handicap of 220 yds. In reply to a request made, the trades-1 people propose to hold a meeting shortly, \ in order to decide as to closing their business premises on sports day. The district traffic manager of railways regrets that he cannot see .his way to grant excursion rates on the 28th,' but would be pleased to'put additional carriages on the north-bound train leaving Huntly about 7 p.m. The annual general meeting of the Huntly Poultry and Kennel Club was held ! in Mr. J. Brooks's saloon on Wednesday night, Mr. H. A. Clinch presiding. Tho balance-sheet, which showed a credit of £7 3s, was read and approved. It ttbj, decided to hold a second show at an earlier date than the preceding one, the time to bo fixed Inter on, Office-bearers i for the current year were elected as follow:—President, Mr. L. B. Harris, jun.'f" secretary, Mr. W. Riggant; treasurer, Mr. F. Litt-leproud: committee, Messrs. S. Broadbent, J. Brooks, H. A. Clinch, J. Hinchco, jun., S. Jackson W. Kelly, H. J. Lee, T. Nicol, C. C. Porter, W. Thomas, R. Waltam, and F. Whorskey, with power to add to their number. The annual general meeting of the musical society took place on Wednesday night, in Mr. J. Brooks's saloon. The bal-ance-sheet showed no liabilities, while the report, anticipated another successful year. Office-bearers were elected as follow: — President. Mr. E. V. Ralph; , secretary, Mr. J. Brooks; treasurer, Mr. Smith; < committee, Messrs. W. Halliday and John Berry, with the secretary and treasurer. A meeting of the members of the council of the Huntly School of Mines was held on Thursday evening, Mr. Jas. Fletcher presiding. Notification was received from the Mines Department to the effect that (1) the sum of £82 12s 6d had been earned by the school for the year ended January 31. that sum being made up of a £ for £ subsidy on the fees amounting to £78 17s 6d, and half tuition fees, .£3 15s; (2) that the plan of tihe proposed school building had not been , received, and a number of books on mining by recognised authorities had been forwarded as the nucleus of a circulating library for the students. ' The council decided to forward the plan, without delay. Mr. Lamont, the newly-appointed director, telegraphed that lie would be propared to take up his new duties on April 1 prox. It was decided to institute classes, in shorthand, book-keeDinjr, and English. / * There has been installed at the Huntlv Brick and Fire-clay Company's works, under the direct supervision of the manager (Mr. It. Greenwell), an endlees-iope haulage system, which has not oniv run without a hitch since its installation, but which, by enabling the company to handle their own coal, fire and ordinaryday, will effect an annual saving of £400.

ALBANY.

A SUCCESSFUL SHOW.

The monthly of the Fruitgrowers' Association was held on Wednesday, March 11, at which the president, Mr. H. Day. submitted some interesting figures in connection with the show held in February. There is a credit balance of 0-.it. £6o, which, with some subscriptions, mostly local, still to come in, will show a profit on the show of over £70. Plans were laid on the table for substantial cattle and sheep pens, to cost about £100. These will not only be used for show purposes, but will probably be utilised for the holding of periodical stork sales-

The showground has been ploughed since the show, and will this autumn be sown with a permanent mixture of grasses. The following were elected a sub-committee to superintend the laying-down in grass of the showground, to decided on the site for the cattle pens, and to approve of or modify the plans submitted:—Messrs. Day. Hooton, Gillespie, and Foley. Messrs. Hooton and Boyd were appointed delegates to represent the association at the conference of fruitgrowers to be held in Auckland. V

The Albany School Committee held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, all the members being present. It was decided to hold the annual picnic on Wednesday, April 8, in Mr. Hart's paddock, which contains several shady trees, and adjoins the creek on the Rush Road. The chairman was requested to write to the secretary of the Board of Education, to .ask if that body had acquired possession of the land known as the school reserve from the Crown Lands Board, and to submit proposals from the committee for enlarging the playground. The roll number of the Albany school is now 34.

WAP, K WORTH.

NO-LICENSE COUNCIL.

A meeting of the No-license Council was held in the Methodist Church on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance, and My. N. Wilson presided. It, was resolved not to employ an organiser at present, but to endeavour to link up the various brandies of workers in this portion of the electorate. In the meantime, the secretary is to corrmimicate with the No-license Council at Whangarei, with a view to united action throughout the whole electorate. The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follow: President. Mr.' Nathaniel Wilson ; vice-president, Revs-. C. A. Sims and 0. Blundell; secretary, Mr. H. 15. Moore. A strong working committee was formed. It was decided to hold a publi ■ meeting as soon as flic delegates return from the Auckland Provincial No-license Convention, which is to be held on Easier Monday.

HAMILTON.

TILE WAIKATO PRESBYTERY. A meeting oL,the Waikato Presbytery supported a call to Waihola (Otago) Presbytery to the Rev. R. McCully, of First Church, Frankton, who signified his acceptance. The Rev. A. Gow was appointed moderator of the vacant charge. An application from Ngaruawahia for a loan of £200 for the purpose of building a church at To Akatea was ordered to be forwarded with the approval of the pres-

bytery to the proper quarter. It was decided to arrange with Mr. Bishop to-con-tinue in charge of the Momnsville Home Mission for a further period of six months. A special meeting of tho Victoria League was held to coi.f.ider the appointment of a secretary in succession to Mrs. A. H. Hyde. As the work had so increased it was decided to call applications for the position nt £12 12s per annum.. The subscription was fixed at 5s for active and 2s fed for honorary members. The annual picnic was fixed' for March 21, at Mr. Bollard's Claremont estate, Tamahere; and Empire Day will be celebrated by a dinner.