Country News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 385, 28 June 1879, Page 21

Country News.

The Greytown Borough Council have a balance of £ll4 4s. sd. to their credit.

The Wairarapa Daily is sorry to learn that Mr. Gibbon, of Alfredtown, is very ill, and that his friends are forwarding him to the Masterton hospital for medical attendance and nursing. It is rumored (says the Waharapa Daily) that the Government are about to take over the railway contract between Featherston and Alasterton, and pay all claims on the contractors.

They have an easy way of terminating disputes at Alasterton. At the last meeting of the Borough Council, Councillor Russell having openly refused to obey the chair, the meeting was adjourned, ou the motion of Councillor Gapper. It it not often that members of our civic bodies have the courage to apologise for their delinquencies; but Councillor AlcCardle had the manliness to apologise, at the last meeting of the Alasterton Borough Council, for the undue warmth which he had displayed at the previous meeting. No person will think the less of Councillor AlcCardle for doing so.

Two pony races took place at the Tauherenikau course on Alonday between Alessrs. Tilson’s and Gillies’ ponies. The first race was for £lO a side, and the second for. £l. Air. Tilson’s pony bolted on both occasions, and consequently the victories fell to the lot of Alx-. Gillies.

At the last meeting of the Masterton Borough Council, the Treasurer reported that the present overdraft was £589 9s. 9d., and that the existing liabilities were £514 19s. Bd., and contingent liabilities £l6l 16s. 3d.; total, £1266 4s. Bd. The Mayor explained that by the time many accounts fell due a large proportion of their rates would be collected ; till then he advised that they should incur uo further expenditure.

The Wairarapa Pioneer Prospecting Compauv has deckled to continue its operations for another two months. Mr. Allan is about to start again for the head of the Ruamahunga. The Wairarapa Daily learns that Mr. Clayson’s furniture was disposed of by valuation to Mr. G. Coker, who intends to carry on in tlie same premises a Cafd Royal and Workiug Man's Club.

The labor question is exciting some discussion in Masterton. A correspondent of the Wairarapa Daily, whosii ns himself “Laborer, takes up the question, and he states that one laborer of his acquaintance informed him that if any reduction were made he would have to dispense with his dish of champagne jelly ! Another said he would have to give up the luxury of the local journal ; whilst a third wanted to know how much “ per 1000” the editor paid his compositor, and also whether he gave “ the devil” his due ! The editor of the Wairarapa Daily will evidently have to be careful in discussing the vexed question of “ Labor v. Capital.” There are some “laborers,” apparently, in the Wairarapa who have a keen sense of satire, and who can give a “ touchdown,” as our football friends would say, when the occasion requires.

Tho.se who have fondness for rabbit flesh should be a little cautious. In the last issue of the Manawatu Times the following appears : rarapa would appear to be pests and nuisances dead or alive. For some little time past it has been the custom of a resident of Woodville to pay periodical visits to Palmerston, upon which occasion he utilised the opportunity by bringing with him a few brace of rabbits for sale. On Friday a well-known townsman became a purchaser of a pair, which upon being cooked were liberally partaken of by the different members of his family, all of whom were immediately prostrated with a deadly sickness and violent retching. One of the victims —a young girl between fourteen and fifteen—is still not only suffering from the effects, but her face and hands have all the appearance as if blotches of red paint were plastered upon them. Of course we do not pretend to account for such extraordinary results, but it has been suggested that the rabbits may have come to their deaths by arsenic, which of course would make their flesh poisonous. Whether this is the true solution of the mystery or not we cannot say, but. as illness has followed every time the Woodville gentry had been partaken of, our informant is pretty well convinced that that bunny is at the bottom of the mischief.” PASSENGER AND DRIVER. We have all heard of, if we have not seen, the woman with the iron jaw, but it may not be generally known (says the Manawatu Times) that her twin sister, the woman with the brazen face, resides the other side of the Tnrarua ranges. The lady with the metallic countenauce is a wealthy widow, well known about Masterton, and the manner in which she became possessed of her sobinquet is as follows : As may be known, an opposition coaching firm has lately started between Featherston and Masterton, which has in vain tried to run the veterans Hastweli and Macara off the road. The old fare was seven and sixpence for the twenty-five miles, but as the opposition reduced to five shillings, H. and M. determined not to be beaten, and they consequently reduced to one shilling, and is was while matters were at that stage that the little episode which we are about to prelate took place. The driver was seated on the box with the ribbons in his hand, when in response to “ All aboard,” the wealthy widow, leading a big girl of about fourteen, appears. “ What is the fare, driver ?” “ Only a bob, ma’am. Jump in.” “ Children half price, I suppose ?” was the interrogatory. G'oachee looked at the quantity of womankind which was supposed to come under the heading of a child ; then turned to his neighbor on the box, and, after smothering a guffaw, replied, “ Ob, I suppose so, ma’am ; tip us the tanner, and lift the baby in.” The object of so much bargaining jumped inside, while the lady sought the required coin, and handed it to the driver. Holding it to his lamp, he replied, “ This is a half-sov., ma’am ; have you got anything smaller ?” With more haste to receive it back than she had been to give it, the W, W. snatched the returned coin, muttering, “I did not intend you to see that,” and after a lengthy search produced a threepenny piece, handing up to the box seat, saying “ That’s all I have about me, but I will give you the remainder the next time we meet.” The polite Jehu rook the coin, touching his hat and his horses at the same time ; but when out of ear-shot he was heard to say, “ Aye, * when ’ we meet again, old dame, but I shall take dashed good care to steer clear of ladies with such cast-iron countenances as yours.”