OHURA VALLEY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 20, 8 March 1907, Page 3

OHURA VALLEY.

Owing to wet weather very little progress is being made with metalling at Mangaroa. Civilization is presenting itself in i " the form of brick chimneys at Man- « garoa, and thanks to the enterprise o: Mr Loveday, sen., who burnt the r first lain of bricks some time ago. Mr Hope already has two chimneys up, and" others are following suit. Building is rather brisk at present, and Mr Hitchcock has erected a new store opposite Messrs McClenaghan and Morpeth's ruins, while Messrs Drake, Robinson and Austin are also - making ready for their wives and families, and last, but not least, the Mangaroa Town Hall has been got under way, and the builders anticipate having the structure sufficiently advance to permit of the Ohura Race Ball being held therein on the lßth March. Racing is the topic of conversation throughout the Ohura at present, and everyone has an old crock in training, and great will be the speculation on March 18th, at Toe Toe. Splendid nominations have been received, and the handicaps are already out. The officials have decided to thoroughly overhaul the track, and endeavour to prevent accidents on the eventful day. None but " straight goers " need apply or they will be severely dealt with. Ladies appear to be as much interested as men, and it is quite common to see them exercising the horses and laying odds. Let us hope Captain Edwin will favour us with fine weather. We have had quite a host of high officials in the district lately, thanks to the good roads. The District Road Engineers from Taranaki and Te Kuiti, Mr Jennings, Commissioner of Crown Lands (Taranaki), Stock Inspectors and E. J. Early, have visited the district. Members of the Land Board, Taranaki, are hourly expected, but they always are.