The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE Proprietor. SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 330, 20 August 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE Proprietor. SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1898.

We remind all interested that the quarterly meeting of the Raglan County Couneil will be held at Ngaruawahia on Wednesday next.

Pastor Steed returned home by yesterday's train, and wdl preach in the Oddfellows' Hall, Cambridge, on Sunday evening. He will also lecture at the week night services. Meets of the Waikato hounds are advertised as under: —Tamahere Cross Roads, 11 a.m. ; Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, Wednesday, 10 a.m. ; Hautapu Railway Station, Saturday next, 11 a m.

Our readers will regret to know that the Rev. W. Evans, of Cambridge, is seriously ill. It is supposed he hai broken a little blood vessel in the brain ; however, he is progressing as favourably as possible, and we trust will soon be out of danger.

Spring is now advancing upon us, and all round are to be seeu trees breaking into leaf and bloom. The earliest bloom that we witnessed this year was a plum tree belonging to Mr W. Riley at Cambridge, which was in full flower nearly a month ago.

A meeting of the milk suppliers to the Cambridge cheese factory will be held in Mr James Hally's olfice, Cambridge, at 4 p.m. this (Saturday) afternoon. It is hoped there will be a representative gathering, though the notice, through oversight, is undoubtedly short. Certainly greater caution nee Is to be exercised in laying poison for rabbits. This has been"found to the cost of one of our settlers residing near Hamilton, who from this cause, during the past few days, has lost some eight or ten grown pigs, all his turkeys and a number of sheep.

Che Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday considered the report of the sub-committee and decided that the Association be wound up, owing to lack of financial support, and the committee was appointed to prepare a statement of the finances of the Association, to be submitted to a special meeting on September 9th. On Thursday evening a very enjoyable dance was given in the Volunteer Hall. The room had been prettily decorated with flags and greenery by a few young lady workers, and capital music was provided by Dr. Kenny's orchestra, consisting of Misses Missen and Scaraocke, the Doctor and Messrs J. Edgecumbe, J. Munro, and S. Harker. Visitors were present from all parts of the Waikato, who all appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. In our last issue we drew attention to the fact that on Thursday aud yesterday the stars Jupiter, Venus and Mercury would be close together. The early part of Thursday evening was beautiful and clear, and the sight was indeed a splendid one. Venus was especially bright, Jupiter somewhat less brilliant, while Mercury was just discernible. Last evening the sky was very cloudy, and one could only get a glimpse of the trio at rare intervals.

The Rev. F. W. Isitt lectured in the Oddfellows' Hall, Cambridge, on Wednes-lay evening, to a large audience, advocating the principles of prohibition. He gave numerous illustrations of the baneful effects of strong drink that he had witnessed in this Colony and Australia, and pointed out that it was usually those who were intellectually giants who were the first to succumb to the effects of it. He strongly urged all those present to cast their votes for prohibition at the next election, as he believed it was the only remedy tor the evil that now exists, and at the close of the meeting a number joined the New Zealand Alliance.

Mr E. Williamson, of Hamilton East, had an unpleasant experience yesterday afternoon. He was working on the scaffolding erected in the Oddfellows' Hall, when it suddenly collapsed. He clutched at a crossbar, which also gave way, but fortunately altered his downward course in such a manner that he was thrown on to the clear ground, and, although considerably cut and bruised, he sustained no serious injury. The drop was a long one, and had he fallen straight down on to the brickwork beneath, it is doubtful whether he would have escaped with his life. Mr Williamson was picked to represent Hamilton in the football match with Huntly to-day, and the loss of his services in the pack will be keenly felt by the local team. Another of the old identities, in the person of Mrs Prince, the wife of Mr T. Prince, of Ohaupo, has passed away. The deceased was mother of Mr T. J. Prince, of Ohaupo, and Mrs T. Qualtrough, of Hamilton. For many years, in the early days of Waikato settlement, Mrs Prince resided with her husband and family at Alexandra, and they were amongst the earliest of the pioneer settlers of that township, The deceased lady has been failing for some months, and, in view of her advanced age, and her precarious condition of late, her death was not altogether unexpected. Her memory, we feel sure, will be held in affectionate remembrance by a large circle of friends for her kind, neighbourly character, and for the many acts of unostentatious charity practiced by her during her long residence in Alexandra, and during late years at Ohaupo. The interment will take place in the Ohaupo cemetery to-morrow (Sunday) at 3 o'clock.

The Hon. Secretary of the forthcoming Industrial Exhibition (Miss Vause) writes our Kihikihi correapondent, informs me that the efforts of the exhibition committee are meeting with much practical support, and very general interest is already being taken in the affair. The Hon. Mr A. J. Cadtnan and Messrs F. W. Lang and W. H. Herries, M.H.R.s., have accepted office as VicePatrons of the exhibition, and these gentlemen have shewn their practical sympathy with the movement by each donating a guinea to the fund. The Hon. Mr Cadman has expressed a desire that his donation may. be set apart as a special prize for cookery, and this will probably be so arranged by the committee, who, however, _ do not intend giving any cash prizes, except, as in this case, where specially donated and so desired by the donor. Several other gentlemen also have accepted office as vice-patrous, and other special donations have been promised. A number of ladies and gentlemen have consented to act as judges and stewards of the exhibition. The full schedule of the various classes of exhibits is now being prepared, and will probably be ready for distribution shortly. From the amount of interest already being taken in the affair—the first of the kind to be held in this part of the district—there is every promise of the Waikato West Industrial Exhibition being a great success,

Wo have been asked to draw attention to the fact that the fence recently erected on Sydney Square his hi en considerably damaged by the action of those persons who still use the Square as ;i thoroughfare, and others who appear to take a delight in wrecking it. The Domain Board has decided to make an example of one or two of these individuals who have the bump of destructivelK'sa so largely developed, and this, no doubt, is the only svay to put a stop to the pia.tiee.

Mr W. 11. Carter has now started his bacon factory in this district, about ha'f-a-mile from the railway station, on the Innisfallen Road. At present the work is carried on in a shed, but before the hot weather commences i.e intends building a cool chamber suitable to requirements. So far he has got liberal promises of support from the dairy fanners about. Mr Carter comes to us with a yood reputation, having obtained two first prize medals at agricultural exhibitions for rolled bacon. He is prepared to cure for fanners at moderate prices. All the pig growers at this side of the Waikato are well pleased that an industry of that nature has started in such a central place, Cambridge being such a long distance away.—

(Ohaupo Correspondent).