DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 108, 19 November 1908, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

«■ - The meteorological return for Waitomo district, supplied by Mr G. Wrattcn, Observer, shows that during October, a fail of 7.89 inches was recorded. Rain fell on twenty-throe days during the month and one day thenwas hail. The prevailing wind was West and North-West. Settlers in the Kawhia district arebecoming alarmed at the spread oi the rabbit pest towards their district. Rabbits have been -:oen at Awaroa and Oparau, and the County Council has brought the matter udner the notice of the Stock Department.

The produce exports for the Dominion for the month of October, as computed with October, 1907, shows increases in mutton, lamb, and oats to the value of ami decreases in butter, cheese-, beef and hemp to the amount of A'TV.'.Me. or an increase in the principal export- for October, as compared with October last, year, to the value of A'! 7,7-K J >. A telegram from Wellington on Thursday last slated that the whole of the. authorities for the expenditure of the quarter of a million voted by Parliament last session .for reading the baekblocks had been distributed to the various district engineers and to the local bodies concerned, arid (he work would proceed immediately. In connection with the invalidating of a number of applications for enrolment on the electoral roll lor Taumarunui, action ha." been taker, by the Registrar of Electors against the person who witnessed {!;. applications, and the case was to have been heard at Waitara on the 18th. The hearing of the case, however, has been adjourned until next court day. Mr V. S. liat.taway's well known jumper. Toiara Marl;, which was taken dew:) from Te Kuiti to Hamliton Show to compete in the high jump, put up a very creditable performance. After jumping faultlessly up to sft. Hinches, Toiara nark just, failed to clear the bar. and had to be content with second pla.ee. The grey gelding was ridden by Mr Peter Barton of Te Kuiti. The two day service between Auckland and Wellington on the Main Trunk line which was started on November 9th. has been the means of increasing the passenger service on the raliway very considerably. The new carriages which are being used on the through trip are a distinct improvement on the old cars, and the long journey is rendered much more comfortable in consequence. The land sale at Te Kuiti conducted by the Farmers' Auctioneering £Co, on behalf of Messrs Green and Colehrook, Limited, today, brought a good attendance. However, most of the bidding failed to reach the reserve, and only three sections were sold under the hammer Mr Brennan secured two sections at £42 and £6l resp sctively, and Mr Jordan one at £37 10s. The allotments comprise about 4-acre each. At the last meeting of the Kawhia County Council a letter from the Under Secretary of Public Works was read, in response to the Council's request that the survey of the Kawhia-Main Trunk Railway should be put in hand at once The Under Secretary stated that the engineering staff was fully engaged at present, but on completion of some of the railway works now in hand, he trusted to be able to detach an officer to survey the line as requested by the Council. Some of the polling places in the Taumarunui electorate were noticeable for the small number of votes recorded. Oparure. at which ■ only one vote was (lolled probably established (the record. At. some of l!fhe booths it is £said the papers for the local option poll were somewhat irregular, in instance, where only a solitary vote was recorded. the paper being used for restoration or non-restoration. The returning officer is still wondering whether a joke was intended or not. Consternation was felt at Te Kuiti on Tuesday when it was found that no voting papers had been supplied for the local option poll. Urgent messages were despatched to the returning officer at Waitara, and instructions to have supply of papers printed, were received about. 10.00 a.m. In half an hour the papers were ready at the booth. The names of those who had voted prior to the papers being received were taken by the deputy Returning Officer and scrutineers, and they were allowed to record their votes subsequently. A meeting is to be held at Te Kuiti on Friday evening for the purpose of forming a Philharmonic Society. Music lovers are expected to take an active part in (he movement and the support promised hy the public is of a satisfactory naiure. Work on the Awakino Road is being carried out vigorously, and metalling is proceeding at. the five mile peg. Tenders are- called for metalling between the five said six mile pegs. The metal placed on the road at. the 14 mile peg last year, has been found satisfactory and a further supply is now being carted to place on the road between that point and Piopio. At Taumarunni Police Court on Monday, before Messrs Laird and Claridge. Justices, a Maorifyouth named Tau Apuahama. charged with the theft of a. hamper the property of C. 11. Mackenzie. of Ohura. from a railway carriage. was convicted and lined £5 and costs or one months imprisonment. Eul ing condi;icrs in the King Country with regard to the liquor question produce peculiar :-iinat ions at, times. It is said of a country siai.ionmaster the other day. that he sent the following post ear.! to a professedly teetotal resident of the district : "Hear .Sir, Please send for tlv ease of books lying here for you., it is. leaking". Mr 0. Kidson. who has been appointed to the charge of Te Kuiti post ollieo. arrived from Auckland on Wednesday, to take up his duties. It is understood Miss Moiling is to continue in the oliice as assistant.