DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 24, 5 April 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

Endeavours are being made to form a trotting club at Hamilton, and a meeting was held last week for the purpose of discussing the matter. Mr H. E. Tristram occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance. It was decided to endeavour to secure the use of the South Auckland Racing Club's course at Claudelands, and also to make inquiries as to the granting of a totalizator permit. Mr F. H. Tuck was appointed secretary pro. tern. A cable message announces the defeat of A. Blewden, the Aucklandcr who went to England, to represent New Zealand in the Amateur Boxing Championships, in the first round. Blewden had shown excellent form in New Zealand, and his early defeat will come as a surprise to his numerous admirers. Probably the first application of the kind, ever made in New Zealand, came before the Native Land Commission, at Wanganui last week, when a Mormon missionary asked if there was any possibility of that church being granted a piece of land, for the establishment of an agricultural school for Maoris. The Chief Justice thought there was not the slightest chance of any more land being given to any church. The tendency was the other way about. The Commission would not recommend that such a request be given effect to. It is stated that a feature of the evidence at the sitting of the Native Land Commission, at Wanganui, is the desire of the Natives to escape from the trammels of the Maori Land Boards, and deal directly with the Europeans.

Among the sections decided to be thrown open for selection, by the Crown Lands Board shortly, is section 6, block 4, Orahiri, consisting of 199 acres. The land is valued at 27s 6d an acre, and is situated about four miles from Otorohanga, on a formed road. It is open fern country, and the greater portion of it is ploughable. An accident which might have had serious consequences, occurred to Mr F. Knauf on the Mangaorino Road, on Sunday evening last. Mr Knauf was attending to his horses. when he received a severe kick on the abdomen from one of them. Dr Brooke was called, and attended tin. injured man. At first it was though I that the sufferer would have to be sent to the hospital immediately, but the following day he had recovered sufficiently, to deem thatstepunnecessary.

The Maori " prophet, " Rua is still located in the Gisborne districl, and his presence is causing considerable uneasiness among other Natives of the district. Rua has a following of from 300 to 400, and his disciples are prepared to do anything he bids them. The followers of the " prophet " are increasing weekly, and il is feared that, when Rua feels lie is strong enough, he will adopt an aggressive attitude. Already he has refused to remove from the property, on which he is camped, all hough requested to do so by the chief. The Hon. J. Carroll states that the Government are being kept aware of Rua's movements, and directly the " prophet " transgresses the law, he will be dealt with, by the authorities. Bishop Neligan intends paying a visit to the King Country at the beginning of May, when he will hold confirmation services at the various centres. The Bishop will be at Tanmarunui on May 3rd, when a service will be held in the evening. On the following day, he will hold service a I Te Kuiti in the morning, and go on in the afternoon to Otorohanga, where an evening service will be held. On Sunday, May sth, after morning service, the Bishop will proceed to Te Awamutu.

A petition in bankruptcy has been filed by George Crump, Storekeeper. of Raurimu. A book is at present in course of printing for the Education Department containing chapters on deepbreathing exercises, prepared by a Wellington instructor. The chapters will be of such a nature as to enable teachers to give lessons in deep breathing without further instruction. At the last meeting of the Egmonl Road Board it was decided that the Minister of Agriculture should be written to pointing out the great necessity for having a short Act passed, to compel the Maoris to clear their lands of noxious weeds, as it was of very little use for farmers to clear their lands, if those owned by Maoris were left as now, with seed from weeds there, being carried on to adjoining lands. Mr Ngata, M.H.R., is expected to arrive at Te Kuiti, via Taumarunui, on April 10th to explain the object of the Native Land Commission, and will probably remain until the Commission opens, which, we understand, will be on April i/th.

A considerable number of King Country residents took advantage of the visit of the famous 1 Jesses o' 111' Barn Band to Hamilton, to make the trip to the Waikato centre on Wednesday last. The majority of lliose who went, returned satisfied that all that has been said in praise of the renowned combination of musicians is justified. It is stated that negotiation are on foot for the purpose of sending W. Webb, New Zealand's champion oarsman, accross to Australia, for the purpose of rowing for the World's Sculling Championship, against. G. Towns, the present champion. It is considered that there is every probability of a match being made, and particulars will shortly be made public. The dangerous state of the ford accross the river at Olorohanga, was further exemplified last week, when an accident took place, which was attended with serious consequences. Mr E. Brannigau was driving a mob of cattle accross (he river, and was following in his trap. When in midstream the vehicle capsized, and Mr Brannigan had considerable difficulty in reaching terra lirma. The horse was carried down stream and drowned, and a dog in the trap suffered a like fate. The vehicle remained in the stream all night before it could be extricated. The tennis tournament held by the Hamilton Club during Master was most successful, and attracted a large number of visiting players. The weather was threatening, but fortunately the rain held off, and enjoyable games resulted. The ladies' championship was won by Mrs Cooper, and the final of (he men's championship singles is be played off in Auckland between Messrs Billing and Mowbray. The men's championship doubles went to Messrs Brown and Balerson, after a good contest with the Longuet Bros. Mrs McCarthy won the ladies' handicap singles after a keen struggle with I Mrs Cooper, and Mr IVll.it accounted for the men's handicap singles. The combined handicap doubles was won by Miss Woodroffe and Mr Hemus, who played off with Mrs McCarthy and Mr IV.ttit. The varied and unique attractions of Waitomo Caves are becoming widely known, and are drawing many visitors from all lands. Mr Blow, the oflicer-in-charge of the "Auckland Tourist Department, visited the caves during the Easter holidays, and is loud in his praises of (lie sights of Waitomo. The Tourisfc. Department is making every effort to popularise the resort, and with an accommodation house provided, and such a capable guide as Mr Govier, there' is every reason to predict a great increase in the number of visitors each season.