NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13523, 22 August 1907, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

[FROM DUE OWN' CORRESPONDENTS.] OPOTIKI. A VERY successful banquet was tendered to the members of the Land Board (Messrs. James Mackenzie. Commissioner of Crown Lands. A. 11. Harris, and Armstrong; just prior to the Wuimana ballot, by settlers in the Whakatano and Upouriao districts. 'I lie function was held at the Whakatane Hotel, where a capital spread was provided by Host. Fortune. Mr. J. Peebles was in the chair, and, after proposing the healths of the guests in happy terms, he referred to the largo quantity of native land in the district and expressed the hope that the visit of the Land Board would be of assistance in having these lands speedily opened up. Mr J. B. Gow, of Opotiki, also spoke, expressing the hope that a more progressive policy with regard to the native lands would be adopted. Mr. Mackenzie thanked the residents for the heartiness of the welcome extended to himself and the other members of the Land Board, and said he would do all in his power to further settlement in the di ? -. 'in connection with the mail and telephone to Motti. a request has been received from the Department to cull for tenders, and two tender's have been sent on to the Government. Both Mr. Berries and Mr. Laurenson are now actively supporting the establishment of a weekly mail service to Motu, as well as a telephone service. Mr. Elliot, who has bean taking a keen interest in this question, states that it is not uncommon for letters from Opotiki to Motu to be a month on the journey under existing conditions. MAUKU. OUR creamery opened on the Ist hist, with a larger number of suppliers than usual, and the improvements made in the working are fullv appreciated by the supplier;. lhe present month hu3 so Jar been very much against farming operations, lor it has been almost impossible to put horses mi tin- |-„ml t'> prepare for spring crops auti-sit.-ii i-niinin'il rain. '111-.- loss of the turnip ,■„,,,. 1. is been tell a good deal. There has been a slight spring in the u'rli-s. ami m lie mcliaid peach tree.* are full ol bloom. Our iiicinU'i. Mr. Masse;, is keeping the matter of railwav connection with the m.i.ii line be I ore the (iovernineiit, and as the desire Inn been expressed to try electricity on a short lino a fine chance is afforded On lhe Waiulut-Maiiku proposed line, tor at about the centre the power could be generated Ijv harnessing up the Mauku tails. There is an over-constant stream of water there, the falls being about 60ft high, which should bo sufficient to send the power required all along the line. This line shou.d bf> put on the next authorised Railways Bill »s a result of the united action that ha«. been taken on a subject of so much importance to a large number of settlers, who are engaged in producing what has to reach Auckland for the use of the city or for exportation. HAMILTON. Tin: Hamilton Parliamentary Union met on Monday evening. The Premier (Mr. A. fee ' announced the members of his Ministry as follows: -Prime Minister. Colonial Treasurer. Minister for Defence, and Minister in Charge of Valuation Department. Mr. Allen Hell; Minister for Railways. Postmaster-General, and Commissioner of Telegraphs. Mr. (_. Horsnell: Minister for Trade and Customs, Mr. H. Green: Minister for Education and Minister for Immigration, Mr. P. K. Stevens; Minister for Lands and Agriculture. Native Minister and Commissioner oi Mate Forests. Mr. 11. Roche: Minister for Justice and V.tornev-General. Mr. W. J. o.icll jot ; Mini-tor for' Public Works, Mr. I". E. SMnith. The Premier moved the second reading ot the Universal Military Training Bill Mr. J. A. Young, Leader of the Opposition, characterised the measure as crude and unworkable, and defended the voluntary system. The second reading was carried on tne voices