COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 746, 18 June 1886, Page 17

COUNTRY NEWS.

FEILDING.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) June 14. In my last I mentioned that the Kimberley gold fever had reached hei’e. Since then it lias spread considerably. At a meeting called of those interested, about 50 to 60 attended, and a good number gave in their names as intending to go. The first exodus has taken place, and several other parties are forming for leaving this month. I am sorry to have to report yet another fatal accident as having happened between here and Awahuri. In this case a well-known and popular Native, commonly called “Johnny, the Maori,” was killed by a fall from his horse at a certain dangerous spot where a bridge is awkwardly fixed in a sharp turn of the road, and where already several fatal accidents have occurred, which a little better engineering might have prevented. I say this without prejudice, as I am not quite clear that in this last instance there was no fault attached to the deceased himself. Apart from Kimberley, we have had little to excite us here of late, and things generally have been rather dull. I may say, however, incidentally, that considerable wonderment and alarm were caused among us by the loud noises heard here on the morning of the great Tarawera catastrophe. While matters have been quiet here at Palmerston North, there has been great excitement over the School Committee affair. A Committee had been elected which included a certain clergyman, who, it seems, afterward made such representations to the Education Board as to induce the latter body to declare the election null and void, whereupon a new election was held. At the meeting called for this purpose the proceedings were of a very warm and animated nature, and lasted upwards of four hours. It is generally believed that the rev gentleman referred to, objected to the first Committee, because it included one person in particular who is very pronounced on anti-orthodox opinions. The result, however, of the second election was that the latter was again elected, at the head of the poll, and with nearly a hundred votes more than any other candidate. The affair altogether is probably without parallel in the history of school matters throughout the Colony. Indeed it is not ended yet, for a petition is even now being numerously signed for having the second election upset, and it is impossible to say where this unpleasant matter will end. We have at present two prominent lady speakers in the district, who are holding forth simultaneously. While Miss Ada Campbell is delivering discourses on Sunday evenings at Palmerston, Miss Malcolm, a very popular preacher from Melbourne is holding evangelistic services at Feilding. Apart altogether from their respective teachings, both these ladies are very able and attractive speakers. At Awahuri a new Presbyterian Church has just been erected, and yesterday (Sunday) it was opened by the Rev James Paterson, of St. John’s, Wellington, who preached two excellent sermons. This is the first European church erected in the village, and must be a great convenience, especially to the members of the Presbyterian body, who are rather numerous in the neighborhood.