DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 4, 16 November 1906, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

Our contemporary, the Kawhia Settler, in wishing us succes in our journalistic venture calls us to book because we mentioned the King Country Chronicle as the first district paper started in the King Country. We regret that the Settler has taken exception to our claim in this respect, but would point out that we consider such an assertion quite justifiable. The Chronicle covers the whole of the King Country and- aims at voicing the needs and, when necessary. championing the cause of each particular locality, quite irrespective of position. It circulates in each county from the extreme north to the farthest south, and reaches the eastern and western boundaries of the Rohe Potae. We would correct our contemporary when it quotes us as the Te Kuiti Chronicle, instead of the King Country Chronicle. The position of the office is merely incidental upon Te Kuiti being the most suitable distributing centre for a district paper. Hence our claim. It is reported that a strong company has procured the right of putting in a line of rail from Kakahi to connect with Lake Taupo, within a period of seven years. The line will traverse a vast area of valuable timber land, and it lis said will connect with the Taupo Timber Company's bush, which is already connected by rail with the Rotorua line at Putaruru. If carried out, this connection will doubtless be used as another tourist route between the Thermal regions aud theiMain Trunk Line. Kakahi is very close to the Wanganui river, and with such a connecting link between the river and the Thermal Regions, the through trip should become very popular. It is proposed to hold a sports meeting at Te Kuiti shortly in connection with the Debating Society, Messrs Rountree, Hardy and Darrow have been selected to draw up a programme. We would draw the attention of the Tourist Department to the necessity of thoroughly exploring the Mangapu caves, in the Otanaki district. They are situated on Native land, and if, after exploration, it is considered advisable, should be acquired by the Government and good access given to them. From reports that have reached us they should be a valuable asset to the Tourist Department, which has already taken over the Waitomo caves. These at Mangapu are said to be far more extensive and beautiful, and would, together with those at Waitomo and Ruakuri, attract many visitors. We have an interesting article on these caves in this issue. A young man, from Mokau, is badly wanted by the Police just now on a charge of horse stealing. It is alleged that on or about November sth, the young man in question, when on a journey from Mokau, appropriated a horse belonging to a Maori named Taiaroa. Coming on to Te Kuiti, the young fellow sold the horse to Mr H. Watson, of Paemako, at a decent price, and left by train for Auckland. Rather to the surprise of the Police, who had become aware in the meantime of the allegations against the youth, he was seen to arrive again at Te Kuiti on Saturday evening, November 10th. An attempt was made to apprehend him, but he made good his escape, and has not been heard of since. Intending subscribers to the King Country Chronicle are requested to notify their nearest agent, or the I publishing office, to enter their names on the subscription list as soon as possible, in order that the paper may be forwarded without interruption. It is understood that the Waitomo County Council will hold a meeting at Te Kuiti on November 19th. The popularity of axemen's events in the athletic world is evidenced by the prizes offering at all the country sports gatherings. Ohura sports programme includes some £45 for axemen's events. Work on the Troopers' block, beyond Oparure, is steadily proceeding on several of the sections. Cleaver Brothers have just completed the felling of 30 acres of bush, and a week or two ago 30 yearling cattle were brought on to the same section. Messrs McKinnon and Millar, of Hamilton, were the successful tenderers for extensive alterations and additions fo the Te Awamutu Hotels, and will commence work at once. At the Hawkes Bay axmen's carnival on Saturday last, C. Volske established a world's record in the sawing competition, by cutting through a 20 inch log in 48 and two-fifths seconds. The Auckland provincial champion double-handed saw contest at Dargaville on King's Birthday, was won by Messrs Casey and Pretty, who are well-known in the King Country. A meeting of the creditors in the estate of Andrew M. Riddel, of Ongarue, was to have been held at Auckland on Tuesday, but lapsed, only one creditor attending. The liabilities in the estate amount to £370 19s sd, and the assets are stated as nil. The McNicol memorial cup for horses at the recent Waikato show, was awarded to Mr W. Taylor's Glenturet, and the trophy for sheep, to Mr John Gordon. Mrs W. C. Davis was awarded the aggregate prize in the home industries section. The respective weights of the steer and heifer, used in connection with the weight guessing competition, were 7971bs and 6381b5; the pig scaled 2151b5, and the aggregate of the three sheep was 2541b5. Residents of the King 'Country can now obtain every description of job and commercial printing, at the Chronicle office, Te Kuiti. Orders promptly fulfilled,