THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1907. DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 16, 8 February 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1907. DISTRICT PARS.

Owing to the publication of the Waitomo County Council By-laws in this issue, a large amount of letterpress is unavoidably held over. The King Country as a tourist resort is gradually becoming more extensively and popularly known. Already the stream of travellers on the Main Trunk line to Taumarunui, and thence down the Wanganui River, is very considerable, and shortly, when the railway is through to Wellington, it will give access to the great National Park, which includes the remarkable trio of snow-clad volcanos, Ruapehu, TongarU-o, and Ngauruhoe. Another unique attraction is the beautiful cave system of Waitomo, which is now largely patronised by travellers from all lands. Mr L. F. Cockroft, general passenger agent at San Fransisco for the Oceanic Steamship Company, who recently paid a visit to the caves, spoke of them in glowing terms. Mr Cockroft compared them favourably with the famous Jenolan Caves in the matter of attractiveness, and said that while not approaching in size the celebrated Mammoth Cave in Kentucky they would bear more than favourable comparison with it for beauty and variety. Mr Cockroft also paid a high tribute to the caretaker (Mr H. A. Govier), for his enthusiasm, and the attention shown by him to visitors. The meeting of the Maniapoto-Tu-wharetoa District Maori Land Board, which was to have been held on February 6th, has been adjourned indefinitely, The remaining sections of the Te Kuiti township jxre to be offered for lease by public auction at Hetet's Hall, on March 13th next, at 10 o'clock a.m. At the Land ballot, held at Auckland on January 3 section 3. block vii, Otanake Survey District, was ballotted for. The section is situated at Waiteti, near Te Kuiti, and there were 38 applicants for it, Mr W. A. Scott being the successful ballotter.

Some remarks on the transport of diseased cattle were made by members of the Taranaki Executive of the Farmer's Union at a meeting on Thursday. One member said that diseased cattle should never go into a common stockj r ard or railway truck. Other stock had to go into these places after the diseased stock, which was not right. Further, he had known stock to be left in the yard at Mokoia for two days, and on one occasion a drove of condemned cattle was put in a saleyard, and left there all the time the sale was on. Another member said that something of this kind occurred several times a year at Kaponga. The second annual conference of those interested in the dairying industry in the Province of Auckland has been called for Thursday, February 28th, when addresses will be delivered by members of the Government grading staff and others, and demonstrations of the grading system will be held at the Farmer's Freezing Company's grading stores.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following cable from their London house: —The market closed strong for all sorts of wool. As compared with last sales closing rates, prices are about par to 5 per cent, higher for merino and cross-bred clips, and about 5 per cent lowe for medium and greasy cross-bred. Since the close of the last sales prices for greasy merino lambs are higher by about J Ad to Id., and higher for crossbred greasy lambs by Yz&.

The Hamilton Regatta, which was postponed from January 19th in consequence of the floods, is announced to take place on Saturday, Febuary 9th. A most attractive Iprogramme has been drawn up, aud special train arrangements have been made for conveying visitors from Auckland and the King Counrry. This is the _ first aquatic carnivali held on the Waikato river at Hamilton, and great interest has been manifested in it by the residents. Everything points to it being a great success, and with such a fine stretch of water, and every prospect of excellent sport, visitors are assured of an enjoyable day. Quite a number of accidents have occurred in and around Te Kniti during the past week. A Maori at Oparure sustained a nasty cut on the knee, while engaged in bush falling on Friday last. On Monday a youngfellow at Te Kumi, i named Terre, while wrestling with another Maori, got his elbow fractured, and sought the aid of Dr Brooke. Oh Tuesday there occurred at Te Kuiti an accident which might have been attended with serions results. Mr Hattaway's waggon was being used to cart material from the station yard to the house being erected for Mr Morgan, between Carroll street and the railway. In turning the waggon in rather an awkward place, the wheels became locked, and the vehicle capsized. The driver, and anther man were throw out, and horses broke away. Fortunately the men escaped with minor injuries and bruises. One of the horses was rather badly bruised on the leg, and the waggon was considerably knocked about. On Wednesday a further accident was caused by the horses, attached to Mr Hattaway's waggon, bolting from the station yard. The railway gate was carried away and one of the horses sustained injuries. The Native Land Court adjourned its sitting from Otorohanga to Te Kuiti on Monday last, and is now in session at Te Kuiti under Judge Mair.

The output of fat stock from the King Country<is steadily growing, and every month sees a considerable number sent away to market. On Tuesday last 70 bullocks from Mahoenui were shipped to Auckland by Mr J. Old, and 350 sheep to Waikato by Mr Vercoe. The bullocks have been delayed in Te Kuiti for three weeks on account of the floods, they having been driven in just as the heavy rains began. At the Otorohanga Police Court on Tuesday, before C.J.Johnson, Esq., J.P., Ririkau Haupokia was charged with being drunk and was convicted and discharged. On a further charge of using threatening and abusive language, the same person was fined £l, and 17s 6d posts. Work on the main road from Te Kuiti to Awakino is proceeding in different places, and several teams are at work carting metal about two miles from Te Kuiti. This should have the effect of improving the means of communication between the outlying settlements and the railway, and the gratitude of the settlers will probably be in proportion to the amount of work done in this direction.

A meeting of the Te Kuiti Church of England management committee was held on Monday night last, there being present the Rev. S. Spencer and Messrs Hine, Cook and Morgan. Correspondence from Arch-deacon Walsh, with reference to the church plans, was read. A resolution in favour of getting ten guarantors for amount necessary (£75) for the erection of a parsonage was carried. The secretary was instructed to purchase some new lamps, which will be suitable for the church when required. The Winter Show projected by the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association is meeting with excellent support and the necessary arrangements are now well in hand. Widespread support has been promised from all the country districts and the Agricultural Department has promised to take a Court, while poultry, flax, and other exhibits have also been promised by the experts in charge. It is intended to provide a Maori Court at the Show, and it is expected to be a feature of the displays. On Monday last a painful accident happened to a man, named A. Gren, on the Main Trunk line. The man was working in a cutting about four miles from Raurimu. when a piece of timber fell 011 his leg, fracturing the ankle. The injured limb was set by Gren's mate, and on Wednesday morning Gren was sent to the Hamilton Hospital for further treatment. Speaking at the banquet, tendered to him by the residents of Taumarunui on Saturday night, Mr W. T. Jennings, M.H.R., said that with reference to standing for the new Taumarunui electorate, at the next general election, there were many matters to consider, and he must have a look round first.