DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 58, 29 November 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

At the meeting of the Waitomo County Council, held on Wednesday, Inspector Bennett, of the Health Dept., attended and assisted in outlining a sanitary scheme for Te Kuiti. The Inspector also promised to render every assistance in carrying out the project. A number of Auckland members of Parliament, including Messrs Massey, Kidd, Lang, Poland, Mander, and Stallworthy passed through the King Country on Monday. The party left Wellington on Sunday morning and arrived at Auckland on Monday night, after a most enjoyable trip. A special train, provided by the Public Works Department, met the party at the top of the spiral, near Raurimu, and the members had the distinction of making the first trip over that portion of the line. The whole journey was thoroughly enjoyed and the members are of opinion that the route will be a favourite one with tourists when the railway connection is established. In addition to those mentioned the party included : T. E. Y. Seddon, M.H.R., Mrs Kidd, Mrs Stallworthy, Mrs and Miss Mander, Colonel Shepherd (Sergeant-at-Arms) and Mr F. W. Weston, of the Hansard staff.

A meeting of the Maniapoto-Tu-wharetoa Maori Land Board is gazetted for December 3rd, at Otorohanga. The Hon. Wi Pere startled the Upper House on Thursday last by stating that a Maori member of the Lower House had had his pockets nicely filled with £3OOO in connection with the Te Akau Block land settlement transactions. " I feel belittled by that man," added Mr Wi Pere, "and I would feel ashamed if I had acted in that manner at any time throughout my life." Several of the Auckland members returned from Wellington at the end of the Session by the overland route. A special train was run from Taumarunui on Monday, crossing the express at Te Kuiti, where a short stay was made. Among those returning were : Messrs Massey, Lang, Mander, Stallworthy, Kidd and Poland.

An addition is to be made to the railway staff at Te Kuiti in the shape of a train examiner, making a staff total of ten, apart from the permanent way officials. The scheme of improvements at the station is being well carried out, the turntable, which will enable a tender _ engine to be stationed at Te Kuiti, being completed. The laying of the new main line, and the erection of a new station, will shortly be undertaken. In connection with the question of a post-office site for Te Kuiti, a suggestion has been made to the effect that a portion of the railway ground should be utilised for the purpose. Inspector Sellars, when consulted as to the feasibility of the suggestion, said he thought there would be ample room for a post-office fronting Rorastrect, when the improvements, now being carried out, were completed. A good central position could be obtained' neiween the, present goods shed and the Awak'ind' roacl, oj; between the goods shed and Riug-sU-eei, about opposite the Bank of New Zealand's new building.

A resolution, earnestly recommending the Minister for Public Works to authorise for expenditure the voles granted in the County for roads, at the earliest possible time, as the work could only be profitably carried out in fine weather, was passed at the last meeting of the Waitomo County Council.

The dissapppearance of a cook from a survey at Puketutu, last week caused considerable consternation in the camp. A fairly large amount of money belonging to members of the party was found to be missing at the same time, and the matter is receiving attention at the hands of the police. A meeting of the Te Kuiti Tennis Club Committee was held on Tuesday evening last, when it was decided to challenge the Otorohanga Club for January 29th, the selection committee to consist of Mrs Julian, Messrs Early and Archer. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Rotorua and Te Aroha Clubs asking for information re the laying down of asphalt courts, and a meeting of members will be called for a future date, when the question of raising the necessary money, to carry out the work, will come up for discussion. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received cable advice from London that the annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on sth December next. The annual report and balance sheet, to be presented, shows that after writing off £9956 for depreciated of London investments, and carrying £58,000 to the reserve Fund, the Board of Directors recommend paying a dividend of 5 per cent, less income tax, and carrying forward £133 to next year's account. The report states also that £IOO,OOO out of surplus on the realisation of properties has been carried to capital reserve, making the Company's total reserve £315,000, and further that the New Zealand Land Association, Limited, has also carried £75,000 surplus realisation on properties to a capital reserve account. A proposal that a committee should be set up to collect information as to the best tram system to install in the town was carried at the last meeting of the Hamilton Borough council. Cr Bell said that a private syndicate was prepared to take the matter up, but he would not favour such a proposal. At the last meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council it was decided to accept the tender of the Wilson Portland Cement Company for a supply of a supply of road metal at 3s 9d a yard. At the last meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, Cr Mason drew attention to the necessity of doing something to beautify the lake reserve. He said the Lake was a beauty spot and a great deal more could be made of it as an attraction to visitors. The Mayor agreed with the suggestion and said that when the Domain Bill became law something could be done. Cr Mason said that it would be a good thing to have a landscape gardener to do some work at the lake and he thought the services of the gardener at Rotorua could be obtained to suggest a plan.

In reply to a question by thejCHßONicle representative at Te Kuiti on Monday last, Mr. F. W. Massey stated that the matter of minors interests in Native leases, which had held up the completion of several transactions in Native lands since last session, had been satisfactorily dealt with by the Parliament before the session closed. The committee for the Te Kuiti District Medical Fund have received several enquires and applications from medical men, with reference to arranging for a doctor for the district and it"is probable that negotiations will be concluded at an early date. Doctor Claridge, late of Waihi, paid a visit to the district this week, and was favorably impressed with the prospects.