DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 180, 9 August 1909, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

A remarkable recovery has been made by the man John Gilmore, who met with a serious bush accident near Ohura. In npitc of the loss of nearly half an ounce of brain substance, and the fact that the operation was performed iii the tent by candlelight, Gilmore was able to walk outside on the 16th day after the accident, and on the 25th day he walked nearly two miles. He is also mentally well. As an instance of bow the Main Trunk line is opening up trade, it is stated that Waikato coal mines are offering coal to flaxmillers all over the Manawatu,right down as far as Levin. The coal is put into trucks at the mines, and is said to be delivered at Foxton, Palmerston North, and other places at less than two-thirds of the price of certain well known coals which have held the market heretofore.

Tbe Raglan County Council has decided to write the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, asking him to use bis endeavours to prevent the reduction under the retrenchment scheme,of the number of noxious weeds inspectors and inspectors of stock in the Dominion. Such a scheme they considered false economy. Far form reducing the number, the Council thought it should rather be increased. Should the Government decide upon the reduction, however, the Council would ask that the inspectors in the Riaglan district tbe retained in the district.

With regard 1o bushfelling work at Rangitatau, very few parties have finished under-scrubbing, but in most cases it is nearly completed. The weather has been very wet. The men have nothing to say but praise as regards the stores supplied, food being cheaper than in the towns. About a score of men left the work for various reasons, including family affairs, but several intend returning.

The following resolutions were carried by the Agricultural Conference at Wellington last week:—"That it be a recommendation to the Agricultural Department that experiments by farmers be conducted under the supervision of a Government director, in grasses, fodder, crops, and root crops, and that experimental plots be provided in the South Island, where new seeds and plants could be tested, and those found suitable afterwards distributed to farmers." "That it is desirable to enforce the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act more stringently, especially with reference to Californian thistle."

In a letter to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Mr W. Nelson, of Nelson Bros'., Ltd., Freezing Company, Tomoana, Hawke's Bay, says that the frozen meat slump in London is entirely due to the supply exceeding the demand. The remedy, he adds, is very simple, but not over nice. It means lower prices to the producer, who can do with lower prices, and he must face the position. By way of mitigating the evil of over production he recommended freezing companies not to increase thier killing accommodation.

The express track from Auckland to Wellington or that portion of it that traverses the King Country, or between such stations as Taihape, in the South, and Frankton Junction in the North, say* the Post, is comporting itself as a well and truly laid railway track should. As a general rule it follows that a line may be expected, for ten years, to be somewhat unsettled, and subject to weather influences, especialy as regards slips in cuttings and subsidences on banks. On the Manawatu branch these were particularly noticeable, while during the late heavy and boisterous weather traffic between Wellington, Foxton, Napier, and through the Gorge, was held up because of the numerous slips, etc., brought down by the rain. But the Mam Trunk, where, in the ordinary course of events, blocks might be expected, escaped any such accident», so far as the department is aware. Further proof is advanced in that while other branches of the service i i the North Island were so delayed, the express between the two cities was always up to time.

At a meeting of the committee of the Waikato Winter Show held on Thursday night,the question of holding country bays, or district courts, next year was referred to a special committee. The points prize in the needlework section was awarded to Mrs A. E. Manning. Accounts amounting to £4OO were passed for payment. A rough balance sheet showed thp.t the receipts of the last show totalled £llOs 3s sd, and the expenditure £866 ss, leaving a credit balance of £313 18s sd. Taking into consideration the building account, purchase of land, etc., the overdraft when all accounts are paid will be £866 2s. It was decided to increase the prizes for agricultural produce,dairy and other sections. As the five acre turnip competition resulted in a loss of £25, it was decided to abandon it in future.

Mr Ravn, Presbyterian Missioner, at Te Kuiti, returned on Thursday last from the meeting of the Waikato Presbytery at Cambridge. At the meeting Mr Ravn reported that the work in his district was eminently hopeful. He had re-organised matters and formed strong committees at Te Kuiti and Otorohanga, with a central committee. Considering the bad state of the district roads and the unfavourable weather, attendances at the services were good. The financial aspect had been the most serious, but the arrangements made would doubtless in time overcome the difficulty, and Te Kuiti develop into a strong centre of the Church's work.—On Mr Ravn's application the Presbytery decided to guarrantee the rent of the Te Kuiti hall for six months The Moderator assured Mr Ravn that the Presbytery sympathised with the difficulties under which he was labouring, and appreciated bis efforts greatly.

Byron made more money than any other English poet. Murray alone paid him £20,000 in purchase money and royalties.

The Order of Merit has only eighteen members. Of these three are Japanese, namely Field Marshal Oyama, Admiral Togo and General Yamagata. The other members are all British. Over fifty tons of leather are used annually for covering footballs in the United Kingdom. The hides of at least 1500 animals are used for this purpose. Leon Meredith cycled 10 miles at Birmingham in 16 minutes 24 seconds beating all records from the s?cond mile. In life's small things be resolute and great To keep thy muscles trained. —Russell Lowell. It is a pity that the need for retrenchment haa led to the discharge of so many connected with the Roads Department before the Winter had come to a close.