COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16026, 18 September 1915, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OtTK ows OOSMSPOKDENTS.] CAMBRIDGE. LIBRAE COMMITTEE. A- JiuiiKO of the Library Committee ■was held on Tuesday evening, Mr. Arnold Wilkinson presiding. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Thomas Middleton, who has left the district, for his services on the committee. Three of the committee were deputed to arrange for the formal handing over of the reference library, presented by the trustees of the hind, Messrs. J. Hally and G. Dickinson.

The members of the local branch of the National Reserve held a social gathering after parade on Wednesday evening, Mr. W. Wilkinson occupying the chair. A splendid programme of musical and elocutionary items was gone through. Mr. M. P. McDermott playing the accompaniments. It was intimated that the first annual meeting will be held during the third week in October. A knitting afternoon for men was given at Mrs. McCullogh's residence on Wednesday afternoon. Instruction fees and fines for non-attendance totalled £1L The death of a highly-esteemed resident, Mr. Murdoch G. Anderson, took place thi3 morning. The deceased gentleman retired from farming pursuits a few years ago, owing to indifferent health, and several months ago joined the land agency department carried on by Mr. R. W. Hunter. While so engaged, he caught a chu, which developed seriously, and caused sis death. As a member of the Borough Council and secretary of the Beautifying Society, Mr. Anderson showed himself a public-spirited and worthv citizen.

A memorial service to the late Corporal W. Kemp was conducted at Rotb-o-rangi on Sunday last by the Rev. A. F. Burchell and Mr. A. J. Arnold. -Mention was mide of the fact that every man from Roto-o-ranei in the firing line had either been killed or wounded, or was posted as missing.

TE AROHA. DRAINAGE ABEAS WANTED. A meeting, attended by about 20 settlers, was held at Waharoa to discuss the question of constituting a special drainage area in that district, with the object of having the Waitoa Creek cleaned out, thereby making it possible to bring into cultivation about 2COQ acres o£ land now useless swamp. After considerable discussion it was decided that the drainage area be formed, and the creek opened. It was also decided to place the matter before the Matamata Coqnty Council. Mr. W. R. Johnson, engineer, was appointed to outline the scheme.

About 30 settlers of Tirohia, who are desirous of having a special drainage area formed, held a meeting to discuss the question of bringing into cultivation about 8000 acres of land, at present useless. It was decided to bring the matter before the next meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council. Air W. R. Johnson has "been appointed engineer to the scheme. PAEBOA. POLICE COURT CASES. At the Police Court on Thursday Alexan- , der Brownlee was charged with «nm g hquor and keeping liquor for sale. Lengthy evidence was given by the police, J* ho employed agents to purchase liquor from accused. The principal witness was absent, and both charges were dismissed. James Gallagher, known as " Hobart-town Jack," charged with striking Constable Baker, was fined £5 and costs, with the alternative of one month's imprisonment. J. A. King, late clerk in the Paeroa railway station, was fined £2 and costs for securing hqnor without a proper order. A man named Larsen, for" threatening behaviour in a prblic place and resisting the police, was convicted and ordered to pay costs. WAIHI. OVERSEAS CLUB. A * » meet of the Waihi branch of the Overseas Club on Thursday, the president Mr. H. T. Gibson, in the chair, it was decided to urge the various branches throughout the Dominion to request «*•- ! Government to reinstate the junior cadet ; system. Appeals were made to members | of the local branch to join the National i Reserve, and to us© their influence toI wsu-ds securing more recruits lor the ex- : peditionary reinforcements. The Kev. P Fletcher -as elected secretary- vice Mr Farrell, who was given a hearty vote ot tnaoks for his past- services. OTOROHAXCA. PATRIOTIC committee. « A j W t il " alte ? c ' e d meeting cf residents, j presided over by Air. K-dson, was held to j cons-der ice lorming of a permanent! Patriotic Committee. lhe secretary of toe I first committee, Mr. AirowsmliL in a i statement of the results achieved oy that! ! body, showed tuat it had dene verv well I [ but a committee on a new footing was I necessary. It was decided to ada indefinitely to the old committee, and elect an executive of five. Mr. Ariowsmith retained the position of secretary. 'fh.. committee's credit balance (£1 os 6d) was handed to the Soldiers' Comfort Ciub. It was decided to suggest to the Government that the stamp duty be not enforced on deceased soldiers' estates. In reference to asking that all parcels, letters, etc., intended for soldiers, be carried tree, it was resolved to first obtain suggestions from the Auckland Patriotic Association. In connection with local recreritimr, it was considered desirable that men offering should be taken into camp as soon as passed, as many, especially those cn contract jobs, could cot afford to be idle until they were called up. A representative meeting of- local ladies was held recently to consider in what manner assistance could be given to we Soldiers* Comfort Club. It was decided to form a Ladies' Committee as a subsidiary to the club, its activity to comprise the securing of monthly contributions, and the collection of papers, books, and other articles useful to the soldiers. All present were elected a General Commute©, from which was elected an executive, consisting of Mesdames Pettit (president), Forster (secretary and treasurer), Benner Whyte, Hosking. Rhodes, and Super. * Mr. T. Cumpstone pre""-* - -- as monthly meeting of the Kiokio branch of the Farmers' Union. It was decided to communicate with Otorohanea. and Banriatea branches, with a new to arranging for an address on the proposed farmers* manure factory by Mr. SchmlH. or some other interested person. Support was promised the Te Awamutu branch in its effort to get scales erected at Westfield saleyards, so that stock may be sold by live weight A rote of sympathy and condolence in the loss of his son Ashley, who was killed in action, was passed to Mr. J. Willis.

_ Farming matters in the Te Rau-a-moa district have lately shown most active progress, consequent upon the arrival ot several new settlers. Hecenflv. at an exoentiorallv large meeting, a branch of the Farmers' Union was formed, t";e following being elected to office:—Chairm 13, Mr. E. Le Proa; denctv-chainnan. "ITr. .T. £ X<x>nati; secretarv and treasurer. Mr C Honori ; auditor, Mr. G Sm ; th : -Messrs. J. RandiH, Orr, E. Fasv. T Tonne. J. French, G. Donelas. D. Egan S Ortnsbv, and M. Dassler. It was decided that it the next meeting the war taxes should be di«cs'e3.