THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1907. DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 13, 18 January 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1907. DISTRICT PARS.

The latest telegram from Auckland informs us that the line from Pukekohe to Ngaruawahia is still blocked, and there will probably be 110 train right through till Monday. Rev. R. Mitchell, who has been appointed by the Congregational Church to take charge of this district, arrived from Kawhia last week and conducted service in Te Kuiti on Sunday evening. Before leaving Kawhia the residents tendered him a farewell social, and presented him with a writing case.

It is rumoured that the Office of the District Maori Land Board is to be removed from Otorohanga to Auckland. We trust this is only rumour, and not a fact, as it means that a large number of people having business with the Board will have the expense, and also the inconvenience, of travelling to Auckland. If they adjourned the meetings, or even the office, to Te Kuiti, one could see the sense of it as most, if not nearly all, the business of the Board comes from this direction. We understand that, if the news is correct, a strong protest will be formulated against it. Mr Berry, of Te Awamutu, who drew a section at Waiteti, near Te Kuiti at the recent lend ballot, has been on a visit to this district during the past week, and will shortly be residing amongst us. Mr Berry, who has had command of the Te Awamutu Mounted Rifles for a number of years, is an enthusiastic volunteer, and should prove of considerable assistance in the formation of corps in this district.

The recent warm rains have hacl a bad effect on the potato crops and the much-dreaded blight has suddenly appeared in all parts of the district, A raid on the .hopbeer shops at Makatote was made by Constable Montgomery, of Taumarunui, recently and a large duantity of liquor was seized. Many reasons have been suggested as the cause of the raid, some considering that a test case is to be taken, to see if the sale in that portion of the country is illegal; others that the Makatote hopbeer is of illegal quality. On the Whangamarina Plains, 15 barrels were secured at one haul —II in a bush, and the remainder in a tent, along with a brewing apparatus, j In this case it is thought that' a charge of illegal-brew-ing will be brought, the brewing even of hopbeer being illegal to the King Country. The Matiere Athletic Club hold a sports meeting on the 15th March, and judging from the amounts allotted for the different events it should, undoubtedly, be one of the most successful gatherings in the district. The posters are now being ptinted and will be ready for distributton in the course of a few days. The club are giving away £7O in prize money, and amongst other events we notice that of the Matiere Handicap Chop (lßin. standing block) of £2O, which should call forth a good number of outside nominations.

The Waitomo County Council was to have met at Te Kuiti on Monday, last, but owing to the inclement weather several of the councillors did not put in an appearance and a quorum could not be formed. The meeting was consequently adjourned till Monday next, at II a.m. We understand that the remaining unleased sections in Te Kuiti township will shortly be put np for public auction.

Mr Knox, a member of the Federal Parliament, has been delayed in Te Kuiti during the week on account of railway communication being interfered with by the recent heavy rains. Mr Knox was accompanied by about twelve Victorians, who are all touring the colony and at present on their way to Rotorua. The Loan and Mercantile Agincy Co., Ltd's., sale, which was to have taken place at Te Kuiti on Wednesday last had to be postponed on account of the weather, is now advertised to take place on Wednesday, January 30th, particulars of which can be seen in anther column. In another column will be found an article by Mr W. Kerr, of the firm of Standish and Kerr, solictors, New Plymouth, dealing with the flax industry. The subject is one which should commend itself to all King Country settlers, as there is much land suitable for flax cultivation in the district. The article deals with the cultivation of the plant in a comprehensive manner, and contains much useful information which cannot be too widely circulated. The commercial aspect of the industry is also touched upon, and some very encouraging figures quoted to show the profitable nature of the industry when intelligently uudertaken. It is gratifying to see that Mr Kerr maintains that flax of the right quality, properly treated, is eminently suitable for much finer and better work than the making of binder twine. It has been recently shown that there is a much broader, and continually extending market for our flax than has hitherto been thought, and with constantly increasiug inducement, it is to be hoped the industry will thrive better than ever it has done in the past.