DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 20, 8 March 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

The Waitomo settlers are evincing a most commendable spirit of enterprise, and are evidently determined to do all in their power to keep in front of progress in the King Country. They are establishing a telephone line from the outlying points of the district to Hangatiki, and will thus be in direct communication with the main lines. It is intended to make every endeavour to induce the Government to erect the line between the Tourist accommodation house and Hangatiki, but failing success in that respect, the settlers will push the connection through themselves. The work of erecting the telephone to Aria and Mairoa has been started, and good progress is being made. These greatly desired services should be completed before long, and will add considerably to the comfort and convenience of the back-blockers, who, as a class, are deserving of all the consideration possible. As showing the progress of the town of Hamilton it may be stated that building permits, to the number of 57, were issued by the Borough for the twelve months ending February 24, 1907, the total value of the new buildings reaching £19,229. It has been asserted, on good authority, that during the past four years there have been quite three hundred new buildings erected at Hamilton, the approximate value i-eaching well over £IOO,OOO. Complaints are still rife with regard to the shortage of railway (rucks on the Auckland lines. In consequence of the recent floods, and the resultant congestion of traffic, there has been a continuously heavy demand for trucks and with the Ngaruawhia Regatta, and shortly afterwards, the Auckland races, looming up, there is every likelihood of a still greater shortage in the near future. There has been a large increase in the traffic at Te Kuiti during the past year, and business in all branches has received a corresponding impetus. In order to cope with his rapidly growing trade, Mr E. Kerr is having a considerable addition made to his premises, in the shape of twelve new bedroooms adjoining the recently erected billiard room. The contract has been let to Mr Taylor, who has already begun operations on the building. The contest for the world's sculling championship between Towns and Durnan was rowed on the Nepean river, New South Wales, on Saturday last, when Towns succeeded in holding the championship against the Canadian. The winner practically lead for the whole distance, and won by about four lengths. It is stated that Webb, the New Zealander, who recently defeated Stanbury on the Wanganui river, will challenge the winner. Webb's supporters are very sanguine, and taking a line through his performance against Stanbury, there is every reason to look hopefully on the New Zealander's chance of annexing the world's championship. An entertainment will be held at Te Kuiti on Monday evening next, under the direction of Mr C. Cooper. Mr Cooper's bioscope effects arc too well known to require recommendation, and his present programme includes many new and striking productions. Among the attractions may be mentioned scenes from " Faust," stirring incidents from " Sherlock Holmes," the wonders of the Wild West, wonderful Maoriland, and numerous funny pictures. The entertainment should prove thoroughly enjoyable, and with fine weather, there is every probability of a record house.

A great meeting of Taranaki Maoris is now being held at the Wera Went pah, Hastings road, (says the Eltham Argus), The objects of the meetingare to consider the question as to whether a successor to Tohu should be appointed ; or, instead, to renounce altogether the Parihaka faith ; and to decide upon the manner of disposal of the hoard of gold leftjby Tohu. Besides the Tohuites, there were quite a number of representative Te Whitiites present. Most of the old men who were great supporters of Tohu believe in perpetuating the old order of things, though unwilling to transfer their allegiance to Te Whiti; but the younger men evince a desire to rid themselves of the Parihaka influence and devote themselves to dairying and other pursuits. According to the Eltham Argus, Mr C. A. Wilkinson, a prominent resident of that town, will be a candidate for the Egmont: seat at the next election. On Saturday last two linemen, named Caples and Clarkson, had a narrow escape on the Main Trunk railway, near Piriaka. They were going to work on a jigger, and on tnrning a sharp curve saw an engine and car almost on top of them. The men jumped clear of the line just as engine crashed into the jigger and smashed it to pieces. The South Auckland Racing Club's annual meeting, held at Claudelands, Hamilton, on Saturday last, was the most successful gathering the club has yet held. The racing was interesting throughout, and, with the exception of the-Steeplcehase, produced good tields. ' The sum of of £3465 los was passed through the totalisator, which is £896 more than was invested last year. It is intended to hold a two day's meeting next year. I

A late telegram received from Mr Jennings, M.H.R., announces that the Minister for Lands will he at Taumarunui towards (he end of the month, and will then visit the other King Country centres. The Minister also informed Mr Jennings that the necessary steps would be taken to appoint the Recreation (iround, and Cemetery Trustees for Te Kuiti, as recommended. At the disposal, under the optional system, of two sections of Crown land in the Pohangina district last week, there were 814 applicants. The ballot was held at the Wellington Crown Lands Office, and was attended by a large crowd. One section of about. T47 acres valued at £5 10s per acre, attracted nearly 400 applicants, and the other, consisting of about 368 acres, was valued at £7 per acre, and 420 applicants ballotted for it. The land is situated in the Pohangina valley, and was originally reserved for timber milling purposes. The spread of settlement in the district has enchanced the value of the sections greatly, hence the extraordinary competition. One wonders what price the sections would have brought, had they been put up to public auction. The Minister of Lands was interviewed by representatives of the Hokianga Canning Company, who asked the Government to supply land on the Taheke river for eight hundred families from England, who would utilise it for growing fruit, especially peaches, line specimens of which were produced. Mr McNab said that he would see what could be done to set aside a portion of Waimana block when it was opened. A modification of the Special Settlement Act would meet the case, and it was highly desirable to encourage such a settlement as that proposed. The stocking of the King Country with sheep, is proceeding apace, and, in addition to the various lots secured by settlers at the recent Ohaupo fairs, there are now about 6000 on the road from Ilawke's Bay and Wairarapa districts. Mr A. D. McCardle is having a mob of 3000 brought through, and Mr R. Somerville has secured a like number. The road works in the vicinity of Te Kuiti, are being pushed ahead with a view to making as much progress as possible before winter sets in. The contract for (he approach (o the bridge over the Mangapu, 011 the Oparure road, has been let, and the work is now in hand, and the road at Tokipuhuki, past Mr Somerville's, is being repaired. It is intended to endeavour to have the " thirds," accruing from (he sections on the Mangaorino road, scheduled, and expended 011 the road from the Mangaokewa river up the hill, to the east of the township. The Hamilton Lawn Tennis Club's annual open championship meeting, and handicap tournament will be held at the Club's courts on Saturday, March 30th, and Monday, April Ist. Entries close with the Secretary, at Hamilton, on March 22nd, and all King Country players desirous of taking part in the meeting, should send their nominations along in good time. The fact of the meeting taking place during the Easter holidays should be a special inducement to country players, and a very hearty welcome is extended to all. The annual examination of the Te Kuiti Public School is now being held by Inspector Stewart. .Inconsequence of the alterations to the school and the mid-summer holidays, (lie children had an enforced holiday of about three months from October last. Under the circumstances it will be surprising if the percentage of passes reaches a high figure. Both children and teachers are to be sympathised with and it is to be regretted that the examination could not have been held later in the year.

At a meeting of (he To Kuili Debating Society held at Mr Sim's on Friday evening last, it was decided to hold no further meeting until June, when a new session will he started. A Wangamii resident writes an follows to the Press : " A letter from my father, dated London, May 131 hj, 1882, after a lot about flax-dressing, says "In consequence of the ascertained intention of the New Zealand people to adopt Andrew's (latent, and oppose it as being similar to one used there thirty years ago, the company decided, in consequence, not to go on with their machinery in New Zealand, and instead, plant the island of St. Helena with the New Zealand 11 ax and work there. This they did, and are there at the present moment. The quality of the leaves they get is superior to that grown in New Zealand itself, it appears to improve in cultivation." So you see it is a long time ago that our (lax was planted 011 the island. The Andrews mentioned, was considered the greatest expert 011 libres, of his time. At a recent meeting of the Wanganui River Trust an endeavour was made to have the existing tolls removed from all consignments for places inland from I'ipiriki. It was pointed out by MrCalnan, mover of the resolution, that if the tolls were lifted the steamer owners would lower Ihe freights, and business would be done between Wanganui and Kaetihi, ()hakunc and other inland places. If conditions remained as at present. Auckland would get the trade. After some discussion, Mrt'alnan withdrew his motion, and a resolution to the effect thai the schedule of tolls now in force be repealed, and a new scale should be drawn up was, carried.