COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15645, 26 June 1914, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FH r M QUE OWN COBRESrONDENT9.| TAUMAEUNUI. BOROUGH VALUATION. The Government valuations of the borough of Taumarunui has been completed by Mr. T. H. McHilly, 'official valuer. The resuite are not all available yet, but those to hand indicate in most cases substantial increases, and some consternation has been caused by the figures. In some cases, unimproved half-acre residential sites have been raised from £140 to £750. One business site has been raised from £400 to< £1000. Questions of extreme interest, as to what will happen in 10£ years, when the first term of the leases expires, are forced into prominence by the valuations. The nresent lessees are- anxious regarding this, as the rents for succeeding terms will bo based on unimproved value.

PUEEKOHE.

LODGE AND SOCIAL FUNCTION

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Loyal l'uiiekohe Lodge, Mane buster Unity of Uddiellows, was held oil Tuesday evening, lire. J. H. Keith, N.G., occupying the chair. General lodge business was transacted, and three new members were initiated, while five others were proposed tor initiation at the neit meeting ot the lodge. 'the fir© brigade social was well attended, and proved a most en joy—.la function. Miss Pulling (piano) and Mr. las. iiindman (comet) provided the dujice music.

Tenders closed on Monday with the Public Works Depaitment for the formation work of sonic 40 chains of the Wainku branch railway. The contract is fur work which is to be commenced at Paerata end of the line. Meetings were held during the weekend" on the Bible in Schools question, the Rev. 11. H. liobjohns delivering several addresses.

MATANGI.

Farmers' union formed.

A inoeting of settlers was held on Monday evening to consider the advisability of terming a ranch of tjie Farmers' Union Mr. W. Trubshaw, who was voted to the cliair, read a letter from the provincial secretary (Mr. Schmitt), explaining the mode of procedure. JllO tollman' relerred to tho necessity of some such organisation, as tho district was progressing very rapidl", and many matters of importance to fanners required attention, the meeting was unanimously in favour of forming a branch, lhe following officers were elected President, Mr. W. J. irubshaw; vice-president, Mr. R. J. Dodd ; secretary and (treasurer, Mr. W. Leo .Martin ; committee, Messrs. W. E. Clarke, W. G. White, T. Bryant, A. Campbell, F. Goodwin, R. Hinton, H. Merrychurch, H. Robinson, F. Taylor, and Hinton. It was decided to invite the provincial secretary to address the next meeting on the aims and objects of the Farmers' Union, and also to hold an opening social at an early date.

After a most su&essful season the New Zealand Dairy Association creamery lias closed down. '1 fie manager is now busy overhauling the plant and machinery in! preparation for the coming season. I Owing to the mild weather, many of the farmers are still getting a fair supply of milt. The New Zealand Packing Company are taking all on offer, for which they are paying Is 3d per lb butter-fat. On Monday over 1000 gallons was delivered at its factory. Through the efforts of Mr. E. T. Robinson, a Young Ladies' Hockey, Club lias been formed, of which Miss I. Taylor is the secretary. HAMILTON. ' GRAZIERS' ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the Waikato Graziers' Association, Mr. Primrose McConnell, manager of the lluakura Farm of Instruction, read an interesting paper on the subject of fattening lambs on rape. Under intensive cultivation, he held that this would give a speedy and liberal return. On Wednesday night Mr. Raynor White, organist of Si. Johns Church, Auckland, gave a recital on the new organ in the Methodist Church. A series of combined services has been held in St. Andrew's Presbyteriaii Church, extending over two days, and they have been largely attended. On Wednesday night, addresses were given by the Revs. W. Salter and A. Murray, of Auckland, dealing with aspects of the " Coming of Christ," and last night the Revs. H. B. Gray, of North East Valley, Dutjedin, and A. Murray, 6poko on " The Woik of the Holy Spirit."

HUKATERE.

SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Buk.ntere Settlers' Association was held recently. Mr. J. G. L'oates, M.P., chairman of the Otaumtea County Council, was present, and explained several matters of interest to the settlers. He stated that a rate of ljd would be struck this year, but that the extra Id would be separately allocated to each riding. He also stated that tlio request of the settlers for a grant of £100 for work on new roads would probably be authorised by the Minister for Public Works. He pointed out that under the new hospital and charitable aid arrangements, ratepayers would bo in a far bettor position than heretofore, the hospital being now in the county, in alluding to the county's balance-sheet, ho said it was interesting to note the Increased value of the county. In 190*4 the general rate levied was £1164, while in 1914 the amount was £4203. an increase of £3044. The receipts and expenditure had also increased. In 1904 the total receipts were £2557 and in 1914 £11,513.

The following executive committee was elected : —Messrs. D. Hill (chairman), G. May all. and W. B. Card (secretary). The School Committee election resulted in the following being returned :—Messrs G. -Uayall (chairman), 8, Lea bourn, C. Martin, P. Martin, and F. W. Olsen. The meeting of householders passed a vote of thanks to Mr. C. Le Noel, who had acted as secretary to past committors for a number of years.

The hall asters held a meeting on Saturday, when tho bulance-sheet, which showed a credit of £8 Is 4d. wis adopted. It was decided tiiat the hall site, which had been given to the settlers by Mr, 1". Weber some years ago, should be now fern rod frum the Lands Department as freehold. Mr. D. Hill, on behalf of the Convert Committee, handed to the trustees the sum of £5. bein.£ proceeds of the first concert held in the hall, for the purpose of lighting. Mr. Hansen was elected chairman of trustees in place of Mr. La Noel, who resigned.

A committee has been sc-t up to consider tie auestion of building .a church in tho diilri-t. Generous support ba« been promised. The district is looking well for this time of the year, and 'lie next milking season should show a large increase o ;< previous ones. The cutting up of the Koiniti block into small fruit farms should have the effect of increasing land values. Visiters have stated that the land is some of the best fruit land in the colony. A petition to the Minister for Marine for a deep-water wharf at Kawau Point, "iving an"outlet to the. Hukatere district, is b<-ing largely signed. If the new wharf is printed it "ill mean a great saving of lime and expense to settlers. Mr. T. Coati-s. owner of Kawau Point. has offered to five a chain road and fence it through his property an certain conditions.