MATIERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 25, 12 April 1907, Page 3

MATIERE.

A youth, in the employ of Mr T. de Vere Hunt, met with a nasty accident on Sunday. He was standing on a log with his hand on the muzzle of a loaded gun, when he slipped, and the gun exploding, almost severed one of his fingers. He has been sent to the Hamilton Hosiptal. A meeting of settlers was held in the hall on the 4th inst, to consider the offer of Messrs MacEwan and Co. to erect a dairy factory in the district. There was a good attendance. Mr McGowan, representing MacEwan and Co., addressed the meeting, and explained the Canadian contract system, which he thought would be the best for this district, as it would be difficult to finance under the ordinary co-operative factory .''seeing that the* whole of the farm lands were under the leasehold tenure. It would cost about £3OOO to erect an up-to-date factory. They had a manager present, who had been looking over the district, and who would be willing to take i charge if they could come to terms. They proposed to put up a factory if they could get a guarantee of 700 cows, and to put up creameries at Mangapapa and Mangaroa as soon as they could supply 400 cows each. After some discussion Mr Doar proposed, and Mr Smith seconded, that they accept the Company's offer to erect a factory under the Canadian contract system. Mr McDonald proposed an amendment and Mr Geisler seconded: "That they start under the ordinary co-operative system." The.amendment was put, but lost by two to one. The motion was then put and declared carried. Mr McGowan said that he thought that was a decision they would not regret, as they would have the right to take the factory over at a valuation at the end of five years. Cows, to the number of 410, were guaranteed in the room. Owing to a difference of opinion amongst the settlers, as to the site of the factory, it is not certain whether the required 700 cows will be forthcoming. The proposed sites are Matiere and Niho 'Niho, which is about four miles from Matiere. It is to be hoped that the difference will be overcome so that the factory can be started next season.

The Mangapapa school, which was opened on the 18th March, has an average attendance of over thirty. The school was built to accommodate twenty-five children, and, as there are several families that are likely to come in soon, an enlargement will shortly be necessary. A social was held on the 18th inst. to celebrate the opening, and was well attended. The Rev. C. J. Bush, who has been doing missionary work in this district, and who is now removing to the Northern Wairoa, preached his fareservice here on Sunday. His friends will regret his departure from this district.