COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 18, 21 January 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

COUNTRY NEWS.

KAWHIA

Mr Howe, of Wangamil, has just arrjv* ed to construct some up-to-date shops and dwellings on some town sections owned by Mr Cord, of Wellington. Wa will be pretty well provided with shop* shortly. At present we have four general stores, besides numberless, small fry* Mr D'Arcy, Hamilton, has just taken possession of his two-storied building, ill which he has launched out Into no Inconsiderable degree in general store business* He has added also ping pong tables, ovan which our dusky population spend coin siderable energy, with profit to the proprietor. The regatta carnival was a completsuccess financially, though the attendance,; was not up to previous standards. There is so much uncertainty about the steamer's movements that visitors are debarred from coming to a great extent Itis vetyi unfortunate, as at present the eea is puf main road. Only one entry was received! for the sculling race, prize £25, as the other visiting competitors were afraid of being delayed by the steamer. The com* petitor who turned up came from Wellington, and was met in a liberal manner by the Regatta' Committee. Mr w. A, Mason, the hon. sec, jrave every satis* tion in his onerous position.

Captain Hugh Clarke, late of the 6.& Weka, Onehunga, has been appointed master of the auxiliary ketch Mahuta, which is to take up the running between Kawhla Wharf and Aotea Harbour, 10 miles distant, and Marakopa river, 20 miles distant. This vessel, which is receiving' tha finishing touches at the hands of Mr W. Hutchinson, builder, Onehunga, Is specially:' constructed for the negotiation of the adjacent bars, being of light draught ana good beam. She is flitted with an Union oil-engine of 18 ,h.p. At present settler*. at the Marakopa have to pack their store* etc., over steep mountains, at a cost of 5/ or more per cwt. At Aotea also, a.great saving of labour will be effected. Captain Clark, accompanied by the manager and promoter of the venture, Mr T. Wake, have just finished an inspection' of the Marakopa and Aotea bars, and found that the entrance of both had altered considerably of late, bat it is expected tbat, given gOOtt weather, a successful crossing will he always effected. Mf ssrs Bell Bros, and Ross hvae everything in readiness for the engine and machinery for their new flaxmill at Marakopa, which will be conveyed there or, the Mahuta on her first trip. A very good volume of business was conducted during the holidays here, but BM now slackened up a bit. The survey caniP* are slightly increasing their staffs, being now all to full swing again. We are being honoured with a visit from two of Juns Mahuta's brothers, who are levying _o» all and sundry of their own colonr ww considerable success.

An interesting case, which is set down for the next law term alip ney, is one which is to test the Federal Government's right to charge duties on State imports. The New Souw Wales Government and the Qneensland Government have each enter fJ an objection to the exaction of fggj charges, but probably the latter State will await the event of J, New South Wales case before ta*uj action on its own account. In o■ . to facilitate a determination ot m Pj ters in dispute between it ana j_ States, the Federal Government 2 ed a' _mall Act through ?*Wg9 jnst before the prorogation w able such cases to be dealt w» , the State courts. However, a* right of appeal to the ?P^;4gs|s remains unimpaired, it wouldi j ■ wise to look with too m&MWM towards a speedy settlem<p J matters at issue. , .—-■*•*