DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 57, 22 November 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

.. « As an indication of the prospective activity in the matter of road work in the district, it may be mentioned that Mr W. Thompson, of Te Kuiti, has secured a contract from the Government Roads Department for the construction of 76 wheel-barrows. The Mangaokewa river, which passes through Te Kuiti, is destined to be a special attraction to the town in future. At present, however, it is proving troublesome in cases, and seems bent 011 exemplifying the well known fact that luxuries have to be paid for. There is a sharp bend in the stream just where the Awakino road junctions with Rora-street, and the river bank has been eaten away to a considerable extent. The railway station yard also comes close to the junction, and in carrying out the scheme of improvements in the railway yards, the department requires all the room possible. There will probably have to be a deviation of the river and an extensive filling of the present river bed in order to provide space for roads and railway yards. It is pleasing to note that local industry, in the shape of carriage building, is being supported in the King Country. In view of the busy summer traffic to the Waitomo Caves, Mr C. J. Kirk has just had a waggonette built by Mr C. Verrall, of Te Kuiti. The vehicle, which is admirably adapted for the district, :presents a very handsome and well-finished appearance.

It is stated that the tender of Mr A. S. Laird, representing the Taumarunui Sawmilling Company, has been accepted for the erection of the Taumarunui Hospital. The price is stated to be about £IBOO. There has been some little friction on the Main Trunk line between a section of the co-operative labourers and a part}' of Austrians, who were put to work in a cutting. A mild strike was the consequence, but the agitation soon subsided. Local anglers are said to behaving fair sport in the Mangaokewa river this season, and fair-sized fish are reported to be more plentiful than hitherto.

On a charge of selling liquor to natives, A. Campbell, well known throughout the King Country, was found not guilty at the recent silting of the Supreme Court at Auckland. The forthcoming axemen's Carnival and athletic meeting at Otorohanga is being well organised, anc| promises to attrapt a large number of visitors. In view ofthis tiiecommitteehasmade arrangements for a special train to Taumarunui on the evening of the sports.

The dreaded potato blight has so far not made its appearance extensively in the district this season, and crops generally are looking well. Doubtless the partial immunity from disease is mainly attributable to the greater care in seed selection, and Ihe choice of ground for cropping. With a favourable season the Native population should feel the benefit of the extra potato yield.

The Inglewood paper is responsible for the statement that a Mr Bowatcr intends to oppose Mr Jennings lor the Taumarunui seat at the next genera). cJcclion. The recent fine weather has ha.r 1 . wonderfully beneficial effect on (lie. roads of the district, and where, a few weeks ago, nothing bill mud was (o be seen, all is now good hard going. Waggon teams are running regularly, and for some months the settlers will have free access to the railway. Constable Mat hew, who was in attendance at the Supreme Court, Auckland, last week, returned to Me Kuiti on Monday. Constable Boag was in charge of Te Kuiti Station during Constable. Mathew's absence. Somewhat of a drought has been experienced in Taranaki lately, and the want, of a- good rain is being severely felt. Farmers complain that the hot weather has come too quickly, and by baking the ground has had a bad effect, when a good growth might have been expected. Matters in connection with the next Waikalo Winter Show are already being arranged, and with a view of making the exhibition of roots a feature of the Show, the executive committee intend offering substantial prizes for the best 5-acrc paddock of swedes grown in the Waikato, and for the best collection of roots grown in the same area. The committee intend to leave nothing undone to make the forthcoming show one of the best in the Dominion. The march of cat tle Taranakiwards still continues, and Mr J. Old passed through Te Kuiti on Saturday with a > mob of 250 bullocks from Waikato. This, in addition to a line of about 1000 sent through last month, makes a very fair start for the season, and it is said there is a large demand still to be satisfied. The Church of England Bazaar to be held at Otorohanga on December 18th, is practically an assured success. All the residents have contributed generous support to the project, and the initial work is nearly completed. The Bazaar will be opened by Mr 11. J. Greenslade, M.II. R., who has written from Wellington intimating his willingness to assist towards the success of the function. Arrangements have been made by the Te Kuiti Domain Board for the carrying out of improvements on the Domain Reserve. It is intended to have the area ploughed and levelled at once, and got ready for sowing with grass in the autumn. When the ground is fenced and in order, it is proposed to have suitable trees planted 011 the boundaries, and the town residents will doubtless appreciate the advantage of having a recreation ground in such a favorable position. Though the next general election is still a year away, there are candidates, and rumours of candidates already in the field for Taumarunui electorate. It is stated that Mr E. Moore, of Mahoenui, who has just returned from a trip to the Old Country, will enter the lists against all comers. The annual meeting of the Waitomo County Council takes place at the County Office, Otoroh'" , g"\ on Wednesday, November 27th, when the election of a chairman for the ensuing year, will take place. Other matters of interest in connection with loan proposals, and the sanitation of the town centres will be discussed. A meeting of prominent Maoris was held last week at Otorohanga, for the purpose of discussing the advisability of nominating a candidate for the Western Maori electorate at the forthcoming general election. The seat is at present held by Ilenare Kaihau, and after the views of those present had been heard, it was decided to support Pepenc Eketone for the seat. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following wire from their London office: "We quote present spot values for the. following' descriptions of tallow : Fine mutton 33s 9d ; good beef 31s (>d : mixed 31s per cwt. Mutton market inactive. The death of Te W'hili, the famous Maori prophet, was reported at Parihaka on Monday last, at the age of 76 years. It was widely believed among his followers that Te Whiti would never die, but the demise of Tohu, his associate a short time ago, must have prepared his followers to some extent for the inevitable. Te Whiti had a remarkable career, and exercised a wonderful influence over his numerous followers. The growth of the young Maori party tended to combat the teachings of the Te Whitiites, and there is every that: the Parihaka influence has departed with the death of the great old man. As showing the number of times that grain may be turned over ill <1 season, a Tiniaru merchant slates that one year he had a line of oats In his store which was sold and resold 11 times before il finally left the store. The last buyer was bit I en. An acre contains 0,2/2,0.j0 square inches of surface, and an inch of rain means, therefore, the same number of cubic inches of water. A gallon contains 277.27 cubic inches of wafer, and an inch of rainfall means 22,022 gallons to the acre, and, as a gallon of water weighs jo pounds, the rainfall on an acre is 226,220 pounds. Counting 2,000 pounds to the ton, an inch of rain means over 113 tons per acre. Blight has made its appearance among potato crops in the Otaki district. The beginning of the end is approaching with regard to work 011 the Main Trunk railway, and a number of horses Ihat haye been employed on the coi)s|)ii(linn \yo|'|.;s by different contractors are being sent to Waikato for sale. It. is expected that after Christmas (here will little calling done at th^-'-f^<3 Tn end. The necessity for fast travelling express trains on I 011;', journeys is be*"" coming daily a mailer of greater iimportance, and the Premier, last week announced that in future the Department would require fo make provision to reduce the number of stopping' places for express trains (ravelling long distances.