KIRITEHERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 180, 9 August 1909, Page 5

KIRITEHERE.

-■— ♦ ---■ Own Correspondent. This has been a marvvollously wet and warm winter with an entire absence of frosts, consequently feed is abundant and all stock are looking well. The mildness of the winter will very •» ke >* prove anything but a blessing, as it is generally followed by a summer characterised by numerous insect pests especially caterpillars. IMr Wm. Retemeyer. who has a bush contract from Mr John Wouldes, had the misfortune to cut his knee on the 29th ult, and has had to lay up. It is some weeks sir.ee the s.s. Pitoitoi visiatedus, ar.d both the Marakopa stores are running short of supplies. The inconsistent running of the Waitara steamer has causeJ a lot of inconvenience since Captain Williamson resigned thf? command of her. and we are looking forward to the resumption of the service with Kawhia by the s.s. Rothesay, with the popular skipper, Captain Robarts, in charge. There seems to be a chance of the revival of the flax industry through the use of new machinery, and the result of the Hawke's Bay Syndicate's operations in the Maiawatu will be keenly watched here. The collapse of flax two years ago seriosuly affected the trade and shipping of the Marokopa River.

The almost complete cessation of roadworks is a very serious thing for this outback district, and settlers are wondering what is going to happen. The fact that roads overseer, Mr J. Williamson, is one of the victims of the retrenchment policy of the Government, has given great dissatisfaction here. From all sides you hear genuine expressions of regret at bis departure, as since this district came under his supervision no complaint of any work has ever gone to headquarters, and all men under his control have had great confidence in him because of his absolute impartiality. The Wbakahau road is the only road being pushed on to its terminus at Nukuhakari, which should be completed shortly. It is urgently wanted as several large bush contracts have been let at the latter place, and the local stores have agreed to pack for 5s per horse by the new road, a vast difference to XI per horse over the old Mocatoa track. It will also mean increased trade to Te Kuiti salryards, as stock will come out to Te Kuiti instead of going to Awakino and Waitara.