DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 12, 11 January 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

The Rev. H. B. Hawkens, Anglican Maori Missionary, hopes to be in this district about the beginning of February, when he will hold services at the different settlements. On Friday evening last, a painful accident occurred to Mrs H. A. Ellison, of Te Kuiti. Mrs Ellison was riding home from the township, and when opposite Mr W. McNaught's residence, her horse was frightened by a dog and shied, throwing the unfortunate lady heavily. It was some time before Mrs Ellison's plight was discovered, and she was conveyed to Mr McNaught's house, when it was found that her left arm was dislocated and the bone broken. The local chemist rendered what assistance was possible, and on Saturday morningMrs Ellison, who suffered severely from shock as well as from injuries, was conveyed to the Hamilton Hospital. At latest advices she was doing as well as could be expected. A telegram from Wellington, on Friday last, stated that no decision had yet been arrived at by the Government as to the personnel of the Native Land Commission, nor had the scope of the Commission been decided upon. Sir Joseph Ward is to leave for England on January 26th, to attend the Conference of Premiers, which opens on April 15th. The Premier will be accompained by Lady Ward and Miss Eileen Ward, and expects to return to the colony at the end of June, shortly after the opening of Parliament.

The Natives of Oparureare giving a picnic for the school children and their Pakeha friends on Saturday Jaunary I2th, and a dance will do held at night. The Oparure gatherings are deservedly popular, and a good muster is expected. A notice appears in our advertising columns calling attention to the lact that the blacksmiths of Te Kuiti have decided to hold Saturday afternoon as their half holiday instead of Wednes-. day. This will be welcomed by settlers in out districts, as the stock sales are held on Wednesday, and the occasion is usually taken advantage of by people coming to the township to have necessary work done. A change has taken place the proprietorship of the Railway Temperance Hotel, at Te Kuiti, Mr K H. Sims, late of the Public Works Ollice, having taken over the business on January Ist" Mr. Sims has long been identified with the district, and is bound to receive a large share of the public patronage. In connection with the securing of a suitable medical man for Te Kuiti and out districts, Mr E. H. Hardy, Chairman of the Vigilance Committee, states that he is in touch with a doctor of good standing in England, who would be prepared to come out and start practice at the earliest possible time, should any inducement offer. A very painful accident happened at the Mangapeehi sawmill on Wednesday morning, when a young man got his hand very badly cut in the small circular saw. Fortunately the train had just arrived, and the sufferer was conveyed to the Hamilton hospital. The Native Land Court re-opened at Otorohanga on Wednesday. There is a large amount of business to be dealt with, including a number of subdivision cases, and also succession cases in making provision tor the completion of private leases. As demonstrating the trend of thought, among the progressive Maoris of the King Country, it may be interesting to quote a speech made by Anaru Eketone, at the recent Maori wedding celebrations at Hangatiki: " Men, women, and children, we are here to celebrate matrimony according to the custom of the Pakeha, and the pleasing thought arises in me that we are, day by day, drawing nearer to our Pakeha friends. We have here union between couples; union between distinct callings ; likely union with the Waikato,and a possible union between the Maori people. The Pakeha has shown that unionism makes for beneficial developement and the general happiness of the people." It is stated in Wellington that the appointment of two or three more Native Land Court judges is contemplated, in order that the large amount of work, which has been accumulating during the past year or two may be dealt with at once.

Very heavy rain fell at Te Kuiti on Wednesday, starting about 10 a.m., and continuing almost without intermission until Thursday morning. This will have the effect of postponing some of the bush burning for a time, as quite a number of settlers were waiting for the first favourable opportunity to start their fires. Entries for the chief events at the King Country Carnival, to be held at Te Kuiti, on January 29th, closed on Wednesday evening last. The nominations are yery satisfactory, totalling 46 for five events. Both running and chopping events are well patronised, eleven entries being received for the Cup and twelve for the Standing Chop. Everything points to the Carnival being the most successful athletic gathering yet held in the King Country, and with an exceptionally varied and liberal programme is bound to be well supported by the public.

A very disastrous grass fire is reported at Mount Donald, on the Glenmark estate, 45 miles from Christchurch. At latest advices about 4000 acres of grass had been destroyed, and though the fire showed signs of diminishing it was still burning.

In consequence of the inclement weather the opening of the new tennis court at Te Kuiti, which was fixed for Wednesday, had to be postponed until next week. A Sunday School picnic, which was to have been held in Mr Somerville's paddock, was not held until the following day, when the elements were in a more kindly mood.

The Chairman of the Te Kuiti Vigilance Committee has received, through Mr Greenslade, M.H.R., a letter from the Minister for Railways in reply to the application for an improved railway service between Frankton Junction and the King Country. The Minister intimates that he is inquiring into the matter, and will give the representations careful consideration.

The Department of Agriculture is steadily progressing in its various branches, and particularly in the direction of introducing first class stock for breeding purposes. There arrived at Auckland last week, bv the s.s. Whakatane, a consignment of pedigree sheep specially purchased in England for the department. The animals, which arrived in excellent condition, include a Border Leicester ram and ewes, Southdown ram and ewes, English Leicester ram and ewes, and Ryland ram and ewes, to the number of 25 all told, The prices varied from £36 15s to £52 for the rams, and from £jo 10s to £ls LS s f° r the ewes.

The Hamilton Regatta, to be held 011 theWaikato river, on January 19th, promises to be an unqualified success, and the executive are leaving nothing undone which can add either to the attractiveness oft he programme, or the comfort of visitors. Special trains will be running to the Regatta, from all surronding districts, and the train for the King Country will leave Hamilton that day at 5 p.m., arriving at Te Kuiti about 8 p.m. The Regatta Committee is endeavouring to arrange with the Fijian Fire Walkers to give an exhibition at the function. In the event of being successful, there is bound to be a large crowd from the King Country to witness a ceremony, unique, not only in the annals of the. colony, but of the world.

The proposed Farmers' Co rope!-a-tive Auctioneering Company is now in a fairway to completion. Nearly £15,000 has already been subscribed, *■ and the flotation of t lie Company lias/jf been authorised. 11 is intended t< > .-lart operations at the. beginning of February. Mr Allui Hell, 011 behalf of the c< impany, will deli vera 11 address to settlers at le Kuiti on Wednesday next, at Maugaroa 011 Thursday, Matiere on Friday, and Olorolianga on Saturday. This will give King Country residents a final opportunity of fully ascertaining' the aims and objects of the Company, and the benefits which will accrue to those who take the opportunity of becoming shareholders. The Firearms Act of last session prohibiting the sale <if firearms to, and the use thereof, by young persons, came into force on January 4111. It is just as well to remind parents, and children, too, that for breaches of the Act, offenders are liable to a line of £lO and to forfeit lire of any firearm found in the possession of anyone under ]6. The only ones exempted under the provisions of the Act are those " practising under proper supervision with a Morris lube, or minia- ■ ture rifle on properly constructed miniature rifle ranges." This exemption chiefly applies, of course, lo cadets.

Messrs Morpeth and Mc( 'lcnai;han's store, at Ohura, was completely destroyed by fire last week. In addition to the premises, the stock was also destroyed. Roth premises and stock were insured, but the amounts have not been ascertained.

The project to form a Mounted Rifle Corp in the King Country, is being favourably received. Lieutenant Lorigan, when in Auckland during the holidays, interviewed the Volunteer authorities on the matter, and every possible encouragement will be given to the movement. As the number required to form a company is only forty, there should be little difficulty in securing the necessary support. The main drawback will be the state of the roads in winter, but this might be overcome by having parades in summer every fortnight, instead of every month, and having a vacation in winter when the roads are too bad to traval over. Lieutenant Lorigan will be glad to receive filenames of all those willing to join or assist the project. On Monday last, a mob of about 100 fat and forward builocks were sent to the Waikato by rail. The cattle came through from Ohura in charge of Mr Standish, of Messrs McNicol and Co.

A Commission of Inquiry was opened at Hastings on Tuesday, before Mr J. W. Poy nton, PublieTruslee, into certain allegations said to have been made that (he signatures of some Natives to a deed of sale of a portion of the Waimarama block to ihe Government had been obtained while the Natives were under the inlluenee of drink. The evidence of the whole of the witnissis, with one exception, was in disproof of the allegations.