WAIKATO NEWS.

Waikato Independent, Volume VI, Issue 385, 15 June 1907, Page 6

WAIKATO NEWS.

Two men were lined 80s and cosbs 12s Sd for shooting quail at Taupiri. , Threshing and chaff-cutting are still in full swing at Walton. ■ Mr and Mrs B. McGechie, who are leaving Puketarata for Matangi, were entertained at a farewell social.

The Hamilton Borough Council has decided to build its traffic bridge of steel, at a cost of £20,000. Mr Leslie L. Leighton, a resident of s Hamilton, died rather suddenly during the week. Ho had been suffering from an internal complaint. Mr J. Orr, of Gordon, has purchased Mr L'. Shaare's farm of 530 acres on the Waharoa-Gordon road at a very satisfactory hgure. Mr Orr intends to extend his dairying operations next season.

Encouraged by the previous season's success in regard to oat-growing, the AValton natives are at present getting large areas cleared, preparatory to having it ploughed for sowing down in oats during the spring. The weather continues wonderfully mild and genial at Raglan, consequently there is still a visible growth in grass and crops. On most farms turnip-feeding has commenced, and although, because of the fine weather, stock are doing well, it is becoming increasingly apparent that feed of this sort -will have to be husbanded in order to tide over winter lrfonfhs.

', Those sheep-farmers at Raglan, who on the strength of last year's experience, have consigned their clips to the London market this season are not exactly pleased with themselves, having, generally speaking, met with lower prices than they could have obtained in Auckland. Owing to the extensive drainage schemes now in operation in the Hunga Hunga district , etilers are busily engaged draining their sections so that very soon large areas of land which was formerly under water, will be rendered fit for cultivation, and should in the near future become a great dairying district. The Waikato and Thames Valley Reclamation Association, held a meeting this week, representatives of various local bodies being present. An apology was received from Mr 11. Reynolds. The feasibility of draining the swamp lands of the Piako and Thames Valley was discussed, and' it was resolved to urge upon the Government the desirability of pushing on the work.

A newspaper controversy is at present proceeding in the Hamilton papers re the adminstration of the Waikato Hospital. 1 Dr. Going takes the matron to task for refusing to admit a patient, who had previously been an inmate of the institution, suffering from chronic rheumatism. He also complains of hospital abuse by persons well able to pay for treatment outside. Dr Douglas, the hospital surgeon, is at present absent from the colony, but Dr. Wilkin, his locum tenens, has taken up the cudgels on behalf of the matron.

' In most of the egg-laying competitions promoted in the colony, the lighter breed of fowls, particularly white leghorns, have shown a superiority in the egg yield. It is thought that to remedy this and , still render the competitions interesting, a distinction for competition purposes might be made between light and heavy breeds. It is understood the North Island Association will consider the matter when bringing out next year's schedule.

The Waipa County Council has de- | cided to hold a conference of local bodies to consider the question of poisoning small birds. The matter has been brought before the council on many occasions ; but the proposal that any active, steps should be taken was always vetoed. On this occasion the council appear to have taken the.question more seriously, and it is highly probable that something tangible will result.

What might have resulted in a 'very serious accident occurred on the Pate-rangi-Ohaupo road on Tuesday afternoon. It appears that Mr George Bel], of Te Eore, was driving a buggy and pair, accompanied by his mother, when'a horseman who was returning from Ohaupo, passed them, and had a hovse-cover thrown- across the frost of his saddle. Mr Bell's horses, which were rather fresh, took fright at the cover and bolted, with the result that both occupants were thrown out) of the buggy, and the terrified, horses, after breaking the pole and getting free from the convey- ■ amfe, raced along without stopping till they reached the stockyard of Messrs Ryburn Bros.

At a meeting of the Tanmhere Road Board, it was decided to place 250 yards of metal on the Fcncourt road ; also that in future 8d per yard be charged for the gravel taken from Ramsay's pit. It was agreed to terminate Moisley's contract, as the amount, authorised had been expended. Messrs Devore, Martin and Prendergast wrote stating that they would employ a surveyor to deal with portion of the Tramway road proposed to be closed, which Miss Crawford intends to purchase. Messrs Goodwin Bros, and W. A. Olliver wrote asking that the bridge over Hinton's Gully should be raised several feet and the grade reduced, and it was decided- to inform them that the bridge was under the jurisdiction of the county council; but that the board •would assist them with the earthwork.