Country News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 383, 14 June 1879, Page 23

Country News.

Dr. Agassiz, the new medical man who is about to settle in Foxton, was a surgeon to the Plying Column during the Waikato war.

A site for a school at Otaki has been purchased from the Maoris for £SO, and steps are being taken to open a school in the township under the Wangunui Education Board.

It is not often that robberies are attempted on members of the police force, but a case of the kind occurred a few days back near Fielding, at the resilience of Constable Price. Strange to say, a quantity of notes was kept in the house, and £75 worth was stolen—it is supposed by a man who had been working about the premises. The Manawatu Times relates the following narrow escape foin an accident :—" As the afternoon train from Foxton was close to the crossing at the Post Office, on Wednesdayevening, a horse attached to a dray standing at Ferguson's door, became frightened and headed for the crossing. The tail of the cart just cleared the line as the engine dashed up, out had the one been a shadow later or the other a shadow earlier, it would have been bad tor the horse. After its narrow escape the animal continued its career along the Square unm'ng up Church-street, where it quickly came to grief. Its owner, a native well known for his indefatigable bogging for funds for a Maori church, will interview tho Bench on Saturday upon a charge of not having the wheels locked."

The construction of the Foxton aud Sandou District Railway appears to be now fairly on foot. Aft the last meeting of the Manawatu County Council Councillor Sanson moved—- " That the County Engineer be allowed to undertake the survey and preparing of plans for the Foxton and Sandon Railway, provided the county work be not allowed to suffer in cousequeuce." The motion was seconded by Councillor Linton, and after a few remarks in opposition to the proposal from Councillor Hnleombe and the Chairman (Councillor Macarthur) the motion was carried on the understanding that Mr. Hayns, the County Engineer, would provide a substitute while engaged in making the surveys and performing the other necessary work in connection with the proposed railway.

Sir William Fox lectured on Thursday evening at Foxion on behalf of the school funds, the subject being " Personal Experiences in America."

The Maoris are getting troublesome about Awahuri. Taking example by their brethern at Otaki (says the Manaiuatu Times) the natives have followed up their outrage at Mr. 'Shultze's by stopping the work of the Government surveyor, Mr. Jillett, who is now employed on the Aorangi Block. That gentleman took counsel with Mr. Ward on Thursday, and on his return from Wellington, whither he has gone to see the head of the department, proceedings will be taken at law to curb the disturbers. We believe it is intended to take proceedings under the Act of IS6S, which preserves trigonometrical stations and survey pegs, the offenders being liable to a fine of £SO. Respecting the opening up of a line of communication between Marton aud the Murimotu Plains, the Rangitihei Advocate observes : " We are pleased to welcome Mr. A. H. Murray back to Marton, he having practically demonstrated the possibility of connecting this district by a practicable route with the Murimotu Plains. He has succeeded beyond his anticipations, aud Marton may now be said to possess the only accessible line to the North from this coast. Splendid undulating couutry is opened up throughout, and M". Hazeldeau, who is surprised and delighted at the result of Mr. Murray's labors, says that if a dray track is now made, Rangitikei will have the entire trade from Murimotu. The lasfc time Mr. Hazeldean used Hales' track to Wanganui, he scarcely expected to return alive, it is such a fearfulroute. We heartily congratulate Mr. Murray on his success, which redounds immensely to his professional credit, and his perseverance under great difficulties." The Wairaraj.a Standard, of 7th June, states as follows re the land tax valuation : " We give below a summary of the capital and net value of properties in the various districts, and an estimate of the amount to be derived at the rate of a half-penny in the £ on properties above £SOO net value :—Greytown Borough District, T. Frethey valuer : Capital value, £117,0il ; improvements deducted, £69,333 ; net value, £47,703 ; tax to be collected, £SO or thereabouts. —Carterton Biding, E. 15. Edmunds valuer : Capital value, £113,150 ; less improvements, £17G,546 ; net value, £236,304 ; tax to be collected, about £3OO. —Masterton aud Alfredton Hidings, Alex. S. Dreyer valuer : Capital value, £361,611 13s. ; less improvements; £138,363 4s. 3d.; net value, £223,24S Ss. 9d. ; tax to be collected, about £2os.—Masterton and Alfredton Ridings, F. Jagerhorn valuer : Capital value, £162,934 10s. ; less improvements. £50,546 4s. ; net value, £112,058 6s. ; tax to be collected, about £130." Overl4o,ooo acres have been purchased north of the Kiwitea Block by the Government. The Manawatu Times says : —" We are happy in being able to aunounce that Mr. James Booth, Native Laud Purchase Commissioner, completed the purchase of the Otemakapu Block on Wednesday last. The block comprises 147,000 acres, and when it shall have passed the Native Lands Court it will be thrown upon the market by the Government. This cannot fail to exercise an important and beneficial influence on this district. The Otei makapua lies north of and adjacent to the Kiwitea. Block, which it resembles in many respects. We trust that a portion of it will be set aside for sale on the deferred payment S 3 tem, which has worked so well m the Kiwitea. As it will be in the Kiwitea Biding, the revenue of that riding will be greatly benefitted, for the soil being of equal fertility with that of Kiwitea, and suitable for either agricultural or pastoral purposes, it cannot fail to command a high price."

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hutt County Council was held at the toll-house, Lower Hutt, ou Tuesday afternoon. Present : The Chairman (Mr. Mason), Councillors Monaghan, Lancaster, Morgan, Chew, Dick, Speedy, Smith, and Taylor. The Engineer aud Secretary were also iu attendance. 3IINUTES. The minutes of the last ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed. CHARITABLE AID. A letter was received from the Colonial Secretary's Department, containing a lis - ; of the names of those who had been receiving charitable aid from the Government through the police. After a short discussion, the names were put seriatim whether the relief should be continued by the Council, and the motions were agreed to in all cases. Several instances were mentioned of persons who had been receiving relief having got into debt, but the Council decided that it could not be answerable for debts contracted before the duty of distributing relief had been transferred to it by the Government. Councillor Taylor raised the question whether relief to indigent persons should not be given by the various local boards instead of by the Council. He did not consider it right that these charges should fall ou the Council. He should like to know if the local boards had the power to do this under the Act. Councillor Smith was afraid if the matter was referred to the local boards, between the two bodies the poor would starve. There could lie no doubt, however, the inferior body had the power as much as the Council. Councillor MONAGHAN protested agaiust the Council being called upon to do everything. The Government had previously had as much power to stop money from the subsidies of road boards for charitable purposes as it had from the funds due to the Council. He should advocate letting the Government settle the question as to which body should he responsible.

Councillor Lancaster heped road boards would soon be abolished. Everything had actually to be done by the Councils. Here was the Lower Hutt Board, for iustance, rat-

ing all the valuable property around them, and spending the proceeds on little petty roads, while they (the Council) had to keep up the main road through the place. He hoped the Legislature during next session would abolish the boards, for the dual system was a most unsatisfactory and vicious one. Jt was agreed, on the motion of Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor SrEKDY, that the local boards should be written to suggesting that they should take over the duty of distributing charitable relief. KOOTPATH AT KAIVfARRA. The Kaiwarra Local Boai-d wrote asking the Council to instruct its engineer to prepare plans and specifications for a footpath which the local board wished to make between the toll-house and the contractor's railway crossing. They also asked the sanction of the Council to the proposed work, which was urgently needed for the accommodation of foot passengers between Kaiwarra and the town. The required permission was given, and the engineer was directed to prepare plans and report on the subject to the next meeting of the Council. BY-LAWS. Some formal correspondence on the subject of by-laws between the Colonial Secretary and the Council was read. The Minister advised that any by-laws to be submitted to him should be prepared by the Board's legal adviser. DVCK CREEK BRIDGE. Several tenders were received for the construction of a bridge with road and approaches over Duck Creek, near Pahautanui. Thoy were as follows :—W. M. Bell and Co., £650 ; Cleary and Ferris, £347 10s ; Robert Lyon, £294 15s ; W. P. Britt and Co., £2BO. Councillor Mason wished to point out that the district had been very favorably treated in the past. He considered the road and appioaches to the bridge were luxuries in the present state of their finances. There could bo no question that the bridge itself was wanted. Councillor Smith said he was bound to take strong exception to the Chairman's assertion as to the work being a luxury. That gentleman often sneered at the way other districts were treated by the Council, while his own neighborhood, it was well known, had actually received better treatment than any other. Councillor Chew said if the bridge was not built there would soon be an accident on the old one, and the Council would have to pay far more in damages than the amount they were discussiug. The lowest tender was accepted subject to the providing of proper sureties, failing that the next lowest. FLOATING PIER AT LOWER HUTT. A tender from Mr. W. D. Oakes for the making of a floating pier to protect the Lower Hutt bridge, for £2ll 15s, was received, and was referred to a committee, consisting of Councillors Chew, Morgan, Mason, Speedy, and the engineer, to report on at the next meeting of the Council. SLAUGHTER- HOUSE INSPECTOR. Councillor Lancaster moved that the Council should ajmoint an inspector for the slaughter-houses iu the county. After a short discussion the matter was deferred till next meeting, in the meantime a scheme of the duties and remuneration of such an officer to be prepared by a committee. THE WEST COAST ROAD. A communication was received from the Manawatu County Council, suggesting cooperation between the two Councils to represent to the Government the urgent necessity of completing the West Coast line of road. After some discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Morgan, and carried, —That the Chairman do communicate with the Manawatu County Council in reference to the letter received, and the Council would join in requesting the Government to complete the West Coast road. SURVEY OF KARORI AND MAKARA. Councillor Monaghan pointed out that although the Government had promised some time since that the surveying in the KaroriMakara district should be completed, nothing whatever had been done. He considered that another representation should be made to the authorities as to the necessity of the work. It was agreed that Councillors Lancaster Mason, and Monaghan should form a deputation to the Surveyor-General on the subject. COUNTY OFFICES. Councillor Morgan proposed " That the Council should authorise the construction of, and that the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans for, offices for the use of the Council at the Lower Hutt, on the section of land belonging to the Council." The mover related the steps previously taken with regard to the question of acquiring permanent offices, and *id he considered it their duty, seeiug the Government had given them a piece of land for the purpose, to keep faith with the Government by using it. He hoped the question would be speedily settled, for the place in which they now met was most unsuitable. He anticipated no opposition to his motion, for they must all recognise the necessity of some decision being come to, and there was no other place so suitable to build on as the land given to them for that express purpose. Councillor Speedy seconded the motion.

Councillor Smith opposed the motion. He considered there were many purposes for which money was wanted much more urgently. As to their having a of land, that was no argument, for it (the land) would not cost anything to keep, and might ultimately be available for other purposes. Councillor MoNAGIUN deprecated the idea of building their permanent offices at the Hutt. The cry always was to give everything to the Hutt. Wellington was unquestionably the most suitable place to hold their meetings. It caused the loss of a whole day to members to come cat there, while if they met in town they would be able to transact their private business on the same journey. As to saying they were bound to build offices at the Hutt because they owned a section there that was a puerile argument, ami to obviate it he would

move as an amendmeut that the land should be made a present to the Hutt, and that per hap 3 would satisfy the almost uusatiable craving of the Hutt people. He should strongly oppose the motion, for he considered the proposition preposterous. It seemed to be assumei by some that because they were called the Hutt County Council the Hutt must almost necessarily be their headquarters. The name of the "Hutt "County Council was given to them merely by accident. It was not the proper name, but should be replaced by "Wellington."

Councillors Lancaster and Taylor spoke against the motion, tho former arguing that the Hutt was not the proper place for county offices, while the latter contending that now was not the proper time to o< me to any decision on the subj ct, seeing that it was possible even that counties might be done away with altogether. In any case the land would not run away, and if they chose at. some future time to use their land as an office site, there would be nothing to prevent them doing so. It was ridiculous to say they would be breaking faith with the Government by not using the laud. It was their place to get land wherever they possibly could. After some further discussion the motion was rejected. Ayes : Councillors Masoi Morgan, Speedy, and Dick. Noes : Councillors Monaghan, Chew, Taylor, Smith, aud Lancaster. GRANT TO KARORI-MAKARA. Councillor Monaghan had tabled a motion that the Council should malw a triMjit of £509 to the Karori Makara Local Board for rosi works, &c, but, with the permission of the Council, he postponed the matter till next meeting. HOUR OF MEETING. It was agree'l. on the motion of Councillor Lancaster, that the Council should in future meet at 11 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. The Council adjourned at 4 p.m. PAHAUTANUI. (from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The Pahautanui Brass Band gave one of a series of their popular entertainments on Friday evening last, and in spite of the bad weather, there was a good audience, who wer > well pleased with the evening's amusemen' The first piece was a comedy entitled " thieves fall out honest people get their own." This was followed by a negro farce, which was much enjoyed by the young folks especially The several parts were very creditably performed by some amateurs who reside iu the district, and the thanks of the Band are du • to two or three non-members of that institution who kindly gave their assistance to further the interests of the Baud funds. During the intervals the Band played, conducted by their instructor, Mr. Curtis, several favorite marches and popular airs, which were applauded by the :uulience. After the performance was over the room was cdeared for dancing, which was kept up until 12 o'cloo 1 :. when the party broke up, and every one depaiied home well pier ed with the evening's recreation. It is intended by the Ba id to give a similar entertainment once a ino-i'h. reel'rg assured that a very large majority of the settlers will be pleased to patro" ise •''•■ :m for the sake of assisting to keep the Band together ; -\ the district. On Thursday last some excitement was caused at Pahautanui by a bullock charging everyone he met on the road, and in one instance it cam' aear to being serious to one o c the parties attacked. Mrs. Pryke, of the Pa hantanni Hotel, was coming out of the Smp 1 ' Farms when she was met by the bulloc which rushed at her and knocked her dow Fortunately she had the presence of mind to thrust her parasol, which was open, into the animal's face just as he got close to her. Th's baffled him, aud somewhat broke the force of the blow. However, she was knocked dow., and the bullock jumped over her, carrying the parasol away on his horns for several yards. Mrs. Pryke was shaken and bruised a good deal by the collision and fall. It appears that the bullock w.-ia one of a drove which were taken down the co.; :t that day, and as he was knocked up on the road he was left at Pahautanui. The driver should have left the bullock in a paddock in somebody's charge instead of endangering the lives of people on the road.