RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2129, 2 March 1886, Page 3

RAGLAN.

Ox Sunday last tho Ron. Mr Mather, of To Awannitu, hold service* at To Mata, Okcto, .md Knglati in thuovctumr, toemwded con. legation*. He returned homo mi Monday, to be present nt meetings held at To AwnlllUtll. Tho Hinemoa 1.-if-t .Sunday vuok brought in tho poles for tho telephone between Raglan and Kawaia. On the following Monday «he proceeded to tho latter place to discharge poles foi that end of the circuit. Major Jack«on, Mr Kay and '•ever.il Raglan persons went in her to Kawhia, M-tninmg from them to Raglan overland. Tl'o contractors for cat ting the poles aie now busy delivenng the »am<\ Workmen .no eng.igeJ placing tho second vue from Hamilton to its destination along tho line, it being intended to comninnicatu direct fiom Hamilton. The woik is beintf rapidly pushed c»n, and beforo many weeks are pa^ed cominnmcatii'ii will be opened. Mr Goodwin, Inspector of Schools, visited lecontly the various schools in the d strict. In tho Raglan school a mncli larger attendance is row found, nniiy of the native chiefs sending their children. During tho last fortnight hea\y iains have prevailed at time-, cau-in°r tho pas tin e3 to look green once more, and in ino>t places abundance of food has sprung up. Mr Lake, M.H.K., and Mr, Lake arrived on a visit to our beautiful sea-side tesoit last Monday afternoon. Mr Like found one of tho bridges injured by the iains on the mountain road. Heat once telegraphed to tho Government to have the necessary repairs executed. Largo numbers of visitors still continue to vi*it us. One and all t»eem much benefited. His Worship the Mayor of Auckland is expecting to vi&it here soon along with other distinguished visitor*. Between two and three hundred acres around the Whainj?aroa Hot Spiings have been granted either an recreation or domain endowment. The Whaingaroa Highway Board is applying for an extended area. These springs are known to possess gieat curative powers. At a public meeting held last Saturday at Waitetnna, several roads passing through Mr McDonalds property wero decided to be closed. After the tea meeting at To Mata, what ! might have been a very serious accident occurred to a trap belonging to Mr Gibhison, who was conveying to their homes Mrs Haivsant, Mm Gibbison, and several children. On going round a sharp turn in the road the trap upset, throwing all out into the rood. Mrs Hansant was cut about the faco, and, along with tho others, shaken. Happily no further injuiy wa& sustained. A meeting of the newly elected licenning committee,— Messrs Mitchell, Harsant, Philp, McDonald and Pcgler, was held on Saturday, to elect a cbauman. A meeting of the Raglan Jockey Clnb was hold last week. It is intended to hold the race meeting on the usual day, St. Patrick's Day, 17th of March. A large number are expected from Waikato and other parts, and an extended programme ia provided fur tho coining racea. Some time since a quantity of catfibh were liberated in the mill dam At Mitchells and Duncans old mill bito. Unfortunately during the dry weather tho dam gave way, and tho fiah were swept out. Tho natives, however, had a great feast for many days upon large quantities of eels, which they got in the mud, going upon all fours to get them out. Yesterday afternoon a thunder storm passed ovor tho district, and for a short time heavy rain fell. Tho weather hero ba» been moro close than at any time during the {season. However, the storm has cleared the atmosphere, and it is now cool and refreshing.— (Own Correspondent). Raglan, Fobruary 2Gth, 183«. SHOOTING MATCH AND BALL AT TE AWAMUTU. The following account of the rapidity firing match and ball at Te Awaniutu on Thursday was crowded out of iasi issue :—: — Tbo rabidity sbootinsr match by .-sectioncimeotf on Thursday, ao theio was no time co hrc it off on the previous day. Ju this, as in the former rapidity match, the Waiuku men took fa'ibt honours, To Avvannttu taking second. The thud anu roiuth prizes could not bo decided a-, oeforo the match was finWiod, the rain came down in torrents, washing the colouring off the target. An accident unforcunatoly happened to ono of tho horses tiiiden in this match, the only accident j during the meeting. In this match, at in I die other, the men had to tide a certain Usance, jumping some hurdles. In jumping one of these, Rakau, who was lidden bj Mr Hickey, one of the Waiuku men overicached and cut tho back tendon of ono ot nis fore legs badly, laming himself so much that it was with the gro.itest difficulty he was got to the station. The ball was a success in every re^pocb. There was a very largo attendance, about 200 people being m ihe hall. There is no necessity for cnteiing into a detailed description ot the decoraturns ; it is pufficient to bay they wero, as usual, very pretty. On the music, which was supplied by the cavalry band, under Bandmaster Sibley, there is also no ueed to comment— its excellence is too well known already. There was a splendid supper provided, and about 12 o'clock there was an adjournment to the supper room. Dancing was kopt up till near morning. Major Hamlin has expressed a wish to Captain Rutherford that he and a party of the Te Awamutu troop should visit Waiukn about the 15th March and fire a return match with his men. On the 17th there will be a race meeting, bo that he promises plenty of amusement to the visitors. These meetings cannot have other than a good effect on volunteering, for the contests and matches are conducted in tho most friendly .spirit, aud the more men fraternise the better tho feeling which will exist between tho various troops or companion. An essential qualification in a soldier is be a good shot, and in order to bring such a very desirable end about, every facility should be afforded the men to have these contents. Ufferiug pnzes to be fired for L not sufficient as it does not inspire the same feeling of emulation as matches in which troops or companies are pitted against oach other, as in this case tho men have uot merely personal but regimental proficiency at stake and it would infuso more esprit do corps into thorn.