PIRONGIA

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 130, 6 May 1897, Page 2

PIRONGIA

A synod of '.he ministers and layn.en of the Church of England Native Mission, was held at the l'ourewa last week, the Rev. Archdeacon Clarke (the president cf the mission), Archdeacon Dudley and 14 native ministers being present, all of ;\ horn were the euests of the Kere. Taimena, Hapimana and Nikora, who are in charge of the mission in this district. Some eighty or ninety native members of the church were also present, and took great interest ill the proceedings, which included a proposed school for native children as in the old days. All was most orderly, and divine service was held regularly during the two days' meeting. Last week the grounds of the Waipa Amateur Ath'etic Club -were all re ploughed, rolled and sown in grass, and all rough places levelled, so that the Club will have a running course second to none in the YVaikato next season. The expenses the Club have incurred, including fencing, must be considerable, so it is to be hoped the sanguine anticipations of the committee of the future success of the Club may be realised. Since the shcotiug season commenced for native game, parties have visited Pirongia daily pigeon shooting, but most. of them have not been very successful, judging from the look of their bag--. The best bags yet made were by two local men the first day cf the season, who shot IS and 15 birds respectively. On Saturday last there was a regular fusilade all round the township, and the pheasants were greatly scared, at least wo have luard of no good bags being made. The season is a late one for them, as the majority ot the birds app-ar to be only half-grown, and many not that.--(Own Correspondent).