DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 11, 4 January 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

On Friday evening, the 28th inst., Mr Wm. Gostage, of Otorohangv*, r..ct with a very painful accident. On stepping off the train at Otorohanga, he slipped and dislocated his right ankle. He came to Te Kuiti, on Saturday night to see the local chemist, who administered first aid, and ordered him to the Hamilton Hospital, for which he left by Monday's train. Now that the Christmas and New Year festivities are over, attention will be turned to events ahead. The athletic and wood-chopping carnival, to be held at Te Kuiti on January 29, promises to be a great success, and matters in connection therewith, are already well advanced. Immediately following the Te Kuiti carnival, will be the Mokauiti sports, at Aria, on February Bth. The programme is already issued, and judging from the support received, the function promises to eclipse all previous gatherings at Aria. The new mail services from Te Kuiti to the outlying districts, came into operation on January Ist. The contract for the service to Pio Pio, Aria, Paemako, Mangaotaki and Mahoenui, has been secured by Mr V. S. Hattaway, and the mail now closes at Te Kuiti on Thursday, at 5 p.m., instead of Friday. Ihe service to Oparure, Mairoa, Ngapaenga and Mangaohae, has been undertaken by Mr J. Joseph, and the mails close on Thursday, at 5 p.m.

The sculling race between ex-worlds champion J. Stanbury, and W. Webb, of Wanganui, took place on the Wanganui river on Boxing Day, and resulted in a win fcr the New Zealander. The r:ce was practically a repitition of the contest between Stanbury and Towns for the worlds championship, on the Parammatta a few months ago. Stanbury made the pace from the start, and lead for the greater part of the journey, when Webb spurted, and caught him. The Australian had rowed himself out, and collapsed, leaving Webb to finish an easy winner in the fast time of 18 minutes 50 seconds. The first mile was rowed in 5 minutes 40 seconds. Numerous complaints are being made with regard to the state of the road on the Te Kuiti side of the Mangapu bridge, near Oparure. Even at this time of the year the place is almost impassable, and it is a constant source of danger to travellers. There is a great amount of traffic on the road, which is used by settlers in the Mairoa, Waitomo and Hauturu districts, besides Oparure and Te Kuiti residents. Further on, the Mangawhitikau ford still remains in its dangerous state, and, unless means are taken to improve it during the summer, it is feared that when the winter rains swell the river, it will only be negotiable at the risk of life. We have to cordially acknowledge seasonable greetings from the proprietors and staffs of the Waikato Times, and the Taumarunui Press. The necessity of having the number of Justices of the Peace in the King Country increased, is being continually exemplified, and it is to be hoped that further suitable appointments will, very shortly, be made. At Te Kuiti, on Monday last, when two justices were required, the court was kept waiting until a justice could be obtained from Hangatiki. This is an undesirable state of things, and when the Court opens at Otorohanga the position will be accentuated, as there is only one J.P. in that centre.

The potato blight has now made its appearance in several districts but its ravages do not appear to be serious. All the crops arc well forward and the blight only exists in small patches. However, there is still time for considerable damage to be caused and it will be wise for owners of late crops especially, to spray thoroughly until danger is quite past. Influenza has been very prevalent among the Maoris recently, but the epidemic this year has made its appearance in a very severe form, and has lasted well !-into the summer, despite the mildness of the season. Last week, the Te Kuili chemist had to attend over half-a-dozen cases at Oparure, besides quite a number of local sufferers.

Christmas and New Year holiday season in the King Country gave rise to the usual festivities by the Maoris in the various centres. At Otorohanga on December 22nd and 24th the Maoris held a sports gathering and race meeting, the various events being well contested. Christmas Day at Otorohanga was celebrated in typical Maori style, and Natives and Europeans from all parts of the district attended. The welcome extended to visitors was of the heartiest description and will long be remembered. Fully 700 people were present and all were bountifully provided lor. A return festival was given by the Natives at Te Kuiti on New Year's Day and was equally well attended. A feature of the gathering was the marriage of a Maori couple at the meeting house.

An exhibition of considerable interest to settlers, was given at Tc Kuiti during the holidays, when Professor Bates and Captain Reynolds, (he wellknown rough-riders and wild west showmen, gave a demonstration of their powers. The main features of the exhibition are the riding and taming of buck jumpers, the breaking of young horses, lassoing and throwing of steers, and sundry other items, for which capable cow-boys arc famous. The exhibitions were carried out in Mr R. Somcrvillc's paddock, and the quick and expert manner in which horses and cattle were' lassoed and handled, proved the performers to be adepts in their calling. The speying of cows is also undertaken by the professor, and the smart manner in which the performer gels through his work, goes to prove that his claim to unrivalled excellence in this line, is not unfounded.

The Te Arai estate, in the Gisborne district, is being acquired for closer settlement by the Goverment, and it is stated they will exercise the compulsory clauses of " The Land for Settlement Act." no agreement with the owner, the Hon Randall Johnson, as to price having been arrived at.

The New Year festivities at Te Kuiti, like Hie Clirislmas celebrations Otorohanga, were somewhat marred by the occurrence of a death among 4J tlie ranks of Ihc Maoris. On Friday night, at Mangapcihi, tlie death of Rangitahi Kercli, wifV ol' Mr T. Short (Tanii Kiiwc) took place. Rangitahi was of good rank and closely connected with the leading' Natives of Te Kniti. The Mangapcchi, Natives on arriving at Te Kuiti on New Year's day were all garbed in! mourning and were met at the station by their friends. It was expected that the body would be brought to Te. Kuiti for burial, but the interment took place at Mangapeehi. The Te Kuiti Debating Society, which has had a most successful session, is to continue its weekly meetings throughout the summer, and the next meeting will be held on January llth, when impromptu speaking by the members will be indulged in.

The residents of Kaurimu are credited with passing a much drier Christmas than v.' >s expected, and the old adage with reference to the "many a slip twixt cup and lip "has once more been exemplified. Such of the residents as were unable to leave the township during the holidays had looked forward to passing quite a pleasant time, and for once in the year indulging in a social glass, when passing the customary compliments. With this object, a consignment of the best " Scotch " had been secured, and late on Christmas eve the precious cargo was carted to its destination. However, just at the psychological moment, the übiquitous policeman appeared on the scene, and the whole cargo was commandeered in the name (if the law. Needless to say, the warmth of the greetings extended to that the policeman on Christmas Day was not altogether induced by the sentiments of peace and goodwill.