DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 17, 15 February 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

Ragwort in flower is showing in a good many parts of this district at present, and it does not appear to be generally known that this pest is included in the list of noxious weeds for the County of Waitomo. All owners or occupiers of land should therefore take prompt measures at this season to have ragwort pulled up where showing on their holdings, or on roads adjoining, as the authorities are determined to strictly enforce the penalties for the neglect of the by-law.

At a meeting of the Pirongia Axemen's Carnival Committee, held last week, it was decided to hold the carnival during March, on a date to be fixed.

One of the matters brought before Mr Jennings by the Te Kuiti Vigilance Committee, during the visit of the member for the district to Te Kuiti, was the desirability of having a branch of the Advances to Settlers' Office established at Te Kuit . Mr Hardy, Chairman of the Committee, pointed out that many of the settlers on Crown Lands had spent a considerable amount of capital on their holdings, and owing to the usual disabilities of poineering, were unable to get any return. In order for the pioneers to weather the time of stress it was necessary for some of them to obtain monetary assistance, otherwise they would lose the reward of their toil, and their capital as well. A branch of the Advance to settlers office would be a boon to these people. Mr Jennings, in reply, said he had been trying for the past fifteen months to have a branch office established at Te Kuiti, and felt that it was necessary. He hoped shortly to hear that his efforts in this direction had proved successful.

The Native Lands Commission began its work at Napier on Monday last, and after completing there will go to Wanganui and deal with some of the river blocks. From there the Commissioners will proceed to the King Country, and afterwards go to the East Cape. Mr Ngata, M.H.R., when interviewed upon the matter, said that there was not a great quantity of land on the East Coast for the Commission to deal with, as the Natives were opening most of it up for settlement themselves.

The wool market continues in a satisfactory state from the producer's point of view, and values all round are very firm. Recent advices from England and the Continent predict a continuance of the present stated and Colonial markets are firm in consequence. At the final sale for the season at Invercargill last week, the wool offered was mostly crossbred and prices ranged from B%d to 9*2 for inferior, up to 12% for better qualities.

The Minister for Lands is still conducting the campaign in favour of the Land Bill and is expected to arrive at Auckland on Sunday next. Mr NcNab then proceeds to North Auckland where he will deliver a series of addresses. He is due back in Wellington on March 3rd, and after spending some days in that city will undertake the tour of the country south of Auckland, including Waikato and King Country. Owing to the alarming increase in the number of plague patients at Sydney, the Government are taking strict precautions to prevent the spread of the disease to New Zealand. The Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister of Health, has instructed all local bodies to use every effort towards removing all insanitary conditions within the different districts, and to start a crusade against rats. Such instructions can hardly apply to the King Country, except in the general sense that cleanliness is always desirable, but no doubt every effort will be made in the seaport towns to prevent the introduction of this dreaded disease.

During the course of a speech at the Liberal Federation banquet at Wardville last week, Mr J. A. Young vigorouslyichampioned the cause of the back-country settler in the matter of good roads, education, the Native land difficulty, and land tenure. Referring to the oft-quoted remark anent the unearned increment, Mr Young declared that if there was anything in the new lands increased value the pioneers deserved it all, and he was firm in his conviction that all Crown tenants, whether under the Land Act or Lands for Settlement Act, should have the right to purchase the freehold. Attention has several times been drawn to the dangerous state of the ford at the Mangawhitikau river, beyond Oparure, and during the visit of Mr Jennings, M.H.R., the Te Kuiti Vigilance Committee brought the matter under the notice of the member for the district. Mr Jennings promised to do all he could to have a bridge erected over the river, and as there is great amount of traffic on the road the work would be a boon to a large number of settlers.

The annual show, promoted by the Waikato Central Agricultural Association, will be held at Cambridge on March 6th and /th next. This year's function promises to be a success in every respect, and the members of the Association are to be congratulated upon the manner in which the show has been organised from its inception. The Association commenced operations in 1903 and held its first show the following year. Since then the entries have shown a considerable increase each year, and with such a gratifying history the Association inaugurates its fourth show. The support afforded by the public in the past will doubtless be continued, and as arrangements have been made for execursion trains from Te Kuitifj on the dates fixed for the gathering, a large number of King Country residents should take the opportunity to be present. Arrangements for the Te Kuiti Sports, which are to be held on March I2th, are now well forward and everything points to a successful meeting. The programme has been well advertised, and with such liberally endowed events, there should be a full entry list. Several matters have been included in the programme which were previously omitted, and the attention of intending competitors is called to the additions' Tenders 'are invited, in this issue, for the right of booths on the sports ground, and a committee meeting is called for Monday next, at 8 p.m. The Te Kuiti stock sale yards are now nearing completion, and should be ready in time for next sale day. The position of the yards is fine and central, and they are excellently laid out and capable of accommodating a very large quantity of stock. King Country settlers are now going in largely for sheep, and at this week's fair at Ohaupo, buyers from all parts of the district were present. Te Kuiti buyers included Messrs Pine, Somerville, Hambrook and O'Brien ; Mahoenui, Messrs Old and Moore; Waitomo, Messrs McCardle, Colville and Thwaite. Lots were also secured by Messrs Street, Mooney and Royguard. Vigorous steps are being taken by the Committee elected for the purpose of securing the services of a medical man for Te Kuiti, and the outlyingdistricts. It is proposed to establish a medical fund and guarantee a sum of £2OO per annum for three years, and request the Government to increase that amount by a subsidy. Circulars have been goti out and canvassers appointed in the different districts for the purpose of securing guarantors to the necessary amount. Wide support has already been promised, and as the" committee is only asking each person to guarantee £1 per year, it is expected that no difficulty willibe experienced in securing the amount required. The visit of Mr Jennings to the district has alread} r born fruit, a telegraphic message from our Anckland correspondent announcing that the member for the district has already moved in the matter of railway and postal facilities. This is extremely gratifying to all, and both settlers and township residents will appreciate the energy and interest shown on their behalf by Mr Jennings. There is a probability of a new industry in the form of brick making being started in the King Country, Mr Gulson, an Aria settler, having started a small kiln. There is a considerable demand for bricks in the Aria district, and one which is likely to continue for some time. Mr Gulson is an experienced briekmaker, and if the initial burn proves successful, it is his intention to erect a plant and go in for the industry extensively.

It is stated that the insurance companies have withdrawn all risks existing at Raurimu. The Native Land Court, which opened at To Kuili last week, only sal for a few days, owing to Judge Mair having to proceed to Ngaruawahia for the purpose of opening the silting of the Native appellate Court. A sitting of the Taumarunui S.M. Court will he held on February 2 1st, and a very full cause list is expected.