DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 6, 30 November 1906, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

The potato crops this year are reported to be much better than last, and it is very gratifying to hear reports from all round the district that the blight has not, so far, made its appearance. If the Maoris are able to secure a decent crop this year it will be a blessing, as a number have experienced really hard times on account of the failure of the crops in the past. Mr Allen Bell, of Hamilton, intends holding a meeting at Te Kuiti on December sth, to discuss the proposed Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company. Reports to hand state that trout are plentiful in the Mangaokewa river, especially in that portion which flows through Hangatiki, but owing to the river in that locality being full of willows and snags, anglers find it difficult to get a cast.

Many complaints have recently been made with regard to the ford over the Mangawhitikau river, beyond Oparure. Settlers from the Mairoa and adjacent districts state that the ford has been gradually getting worse for sometime, until now it is in a very dangerous state. It is to be hoped that steps will be taken to remedy this at an early date, as settlers have quite enough to contend with in the matter of bad roads in winter, without having to run the risk of serions accident whenever'they attempt to reach the railway.

The projected Wood Chopping and Sport's Carnival, in aid of the building fund of the Te Kuiti Debating Society, is now being vigorously pushed ahead, and promises to be a really representative gathering. The date has been fixed for January 29th, and with a highly varied programme, and liberal prize list, good entries should be attracted from all quarters. Permission has kindly been granted to the Society by Mr J. Hetet for the use of the football ground, and the laying out of the track, and other preliminary work is to be undertaken immediately. Wood chopping and sawing competitions, which are such popular features of modern sports gatherings, are to figure prominently on the programme, and will be liberally endowed. Other branches of athletics will, be generously catered for, and a leaping competition for horses will also find a place on the list.

Pedigree stock for breeding purposes, continues to be imported into the colony in fair numbers, and farmers are evidently beginning to realise more generally the advantage of selecting and breeding only the best. A shipment of stud animals for Lyttelton, arrived at Wellington by the s.s. Paparoa from London on Saturday last. The quantity included two Welsh cobs, Shorthorn bull and cows, and a number of sheep, comprising rams and ewes of the Leicester, Shropshire, and Romney breeds. Dr. Findlay, of Wellington, has been appointed Attorney-General in succession to the late Colonel Pitt. He has also been made Colonial Secretary and leader of the Legislative Council. In the re-arrangement of portfolios Sir Joseph Ward has taken the Defence Ministership, and the department of Industries and Commerce has been transferred to Mr McGowan. It is stated that as a result of the Hon. Mr McNab's re-oganisation of the Department of Agriculture, the stock inspectors and veterinary surgeons will all be transferred to fresh stations.

Mr Robt. Taylor, of Auckland has returned to Te Kuiti with the intention of carrying on his business as a builder. Mr Taylor is commencing with the new stables for Mr Hattaway, close to the railway station, on which a start will be made at the beginning of next week. A block of land comprising an area of 634 acres on the Waiteti road, about four miles from Te Kuiti railway station, is Gazetted for sale or selection under the cash purchase, o.r.p. or Li.p. tenures on or after January 30th, 1907. The section is loaded with an amount of £22 10s for bushfelling. William Stevenson Aickin, who upon his refusal to accept the terms inflicted by His Honor Mr Justice Edwards, for his threat against Sir Joseph Ward, was again brought before the Court on Tuesday, when he decided to accept the conditions. Sureties and bonds to required amount were forthcoming and the defendant was released accordingly. The residence of Mr H. Reynolds, at Pirongia, was destroyed by fire last week. The premises were insured for a small amount, but Mr Reynolds suffered a severe loss by the distruction of all his records and possessions collected for a period of over half-a-centwy.

There is some talk of trying to form a Mounted Rifle Volunteer corps in in the King Country, and steps will probably be taken by some of those interested to call a meeting at an early date. There are a number of returned South African troopers in the district who would probably be willing to take part in the movement, and who could render invaluable assistance to the company when formed.

Attention was called, at a meeting of the Te Kuiti Vigilance Committee on Monday night last, to the desirability of having the whole of the Waiteti gorge reserved for the sake of its scenery. It was pointed out that in addition to the block already reserved by the Government, there was, running to the boundary of Mr Price's property, a further area which should be obtained, and it was resolved to write to the authorities requesting them to take immediate steps in the matter. It was also pointed out that the reserve of one chain on each side of the Mangaokewa river, onlv extended to the end of the township sections, and the desirability of secur--jng the extension of the reserve, right through to the Waiteti gorge, was al-,; so strongly advocated. At present a considerable amount of angling was done on the river, and it was necessary, if the sport was to remain an attraction to the place, to have access provided right along through the Na-tive-owned lands. The secretary was instructed to draw the attention of the Government to the matter, with the object of securing the necessary reserves.

Mrs H. Reynolds met with a serious accident at Kaipiha, Pirongia, during the progress of the fire at her residence last week. When the fire was discovered, Mrs Reynolds got upon the roof of the building and endeavoured to extinguish the blnze, but was unsuccessful. In getting down again Mrs Reynolds slipped to the ground, and cut herself very severely. The injury is so serious that it is expected to be some months before the injured lady can get about. Mr W. H. Grace, Land Purchase Officer, and Mr Ballantyne, of the Survey Department, have been attending the Land Court at Otorohanga,' for the purpose of negotiating with the Natives for the transfer to the Government, of blocks of land, in payment of the Survey liens held by the Government over Maori lands. In this manner various blocks have been transferred, and the deeds are being prepared for a large number of others. It will take a considerable time for these transactions to be completed, but when they are, a further large area will be added to the Crown lands, available for settlement in the King Country. In addition to the lands transferred for liens, several blocks are being sold outright by the Natives, but although terms have been agreed upon, the money is not yet available to complete the bargains.

The Minister for Lands, during the course of his speech on the Land Bill at Hamilton, made a short reference to Native Lands, and stated they did not come under his control unless purchased by the Crown.

The first wool sale of the season was held at Auckland on Wednesday, when over 4000 bales were offered, as against 3182 bales for the corresponding sale last year. The freezing companies anticipate that lambs in the Wellington district will come forward this year at least a fortnight earlier than usual, and fat sheep will also come in earlier. This result is due to the unusually warm and open season and the abundance of early feed.