DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 30, 17 May 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

In the course of his recent speech at New Plymouth, the Hon. J. Carroll said that the desire of the holders of Native leases for the freehold was quite natural, but that the Maori had an equal right to have his side of the question presented, and to say whether he wished to sell. The Government could" not, with equal justice, take the freehold of one man and give it to another if the owner did not wish to part with it. Mr Carroll apparently forebore to say that the Maori had no voice in the matter, and even if the native owner was a responsible person, and strongly desirous of selling his land to a Pakeha, it was impossible for him to do so. The faculty of presenting a view of a case which never applies to Maori lands, or any other lands for that matter, is evidently possessed by the Native Minister to a high degree.

On Thursday evening of last week, the ladies committe, which had recently brought the sale of work in aid of the Te Kuiti Anglican Church to such a successful issue, met at MrJ. Morgan's residence, for the purpose of making a presentation to Miss Beswick, who acted as secretary and treasurer to the committee. Mrs Sellars, in making the presentation, complimented Miss Beswick on the able manner in which she had carried out the duties of secretary, and mentioned, the valuable assistance she had given them, and asked her to accept the presentation from the ladies' committee as a mark that her efforts had been keenly appreciated. The presentation took the form of a handsome easy chair and footstool. Miss Beswick suitably responded and invited the company to a musical evening. During the evening songs and musical selections were rendered, and a most enjoyable evening was spent.

A commemoration service, in celebration of the jubilee of the signing of the constitution of the Anglican Church, of the Province of Auckland, is to bei held on June 13th. Preparations are now being made in the various centres, and sermons will also be preached in the churches on June 16th bearing on the history of the church for the past fifty years.

Storekeepers, traders, bankers financial men and politicians all fully realise, after years of experience, that wherever dairy farming is conducted, farmers are most prosperous and tinvalue of landed property becomes considerably enhanced. This has been strikingly shown in many parts of this colony, and especially in the highly favoured parts of Taranaki, where land has been sold at between £25 and £3O per acre. May the industry continue to flourish, in this district in particular, and the colonyjgenerally, is the heartfelt wish of those who do desire to see New Zealand become industrially and commercially great in the scale of nations. —"Pahiatua Herald."

The next meeting of the Waitomo County Council will be held at Te Kuiti on Monday next, May 20th.

The statement made by Mr Massey, during his campaign in opposition to the Land Bill, that the lease in perpetuity leases terminated with the death of the tenant, and could not be willed to his heirs, was contradicted by the Native Minister, at Omata, last week. Mr Carroll stated that theheirsoi lessees succeeded to the leases in the ordinary course, and the trustees could even sell to another tenant, provided the terms of the lease were fulfilled.

The Rev.S.Spencer leaves To Kuiti on a holiday trip to Napier on Monday next, and will be away for about three weeks.

Information has been received from Mr Ngata, M.H.R., that the Native Land Commission will be prepared to sit at Te Kuiti on Wednesday next, May 22nd. Sir Robert Stout, Chiel Justice, has recovered from his indisposition, and is expected to arrive at Te Kuiti on Tuesday next. 1 lie local Natives are preparing to give evidence at the Commission, and it is expected that a considerable area ot land will be dealt with.

It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that (he I e Kuiti Football Club has decided to make a small charge for admission to the football matches played locally, durthe season. The game is just being put on a proper footing in the district, and the Maniapoto Rugby Union has been formed to act as a controlling' body to the sport. The Union has to provide caps for the most successful team at the end of the season, and will also incur other expenses incidental to the game. The Union is supported solely by players and tootball lovers, and in order to give the public an opportunity to assist, the charge lis being made. _ Ladies and children are to be admitted free ot charge.

A meeting of the Te Kuiti School Committee was held at Mr E.Sims' on Tuesday night, when it was decided to call for lenders for clearing and grubbing (lie new school ground. The question of forming a footpath, troni the township 1o the school, w.i" brought up, and il was decided f approach the VVailomo County Council with a view to having the work done.

The. New Zealand Loan & Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., has received the following cable message from its London house, under date of <)th instant: -"The market shows increased firmness for merino wool, and medium and coarse greasy crossbred. The market has been lower since we last telegraphed, but lias recovered. Fine cross-bred sheepskins and crossbred lamb skin:; have declined J-,|d per lb since last sales, and coarse crossbred sheep skins have declined per lb since last sales.

Mr I'. (i. Jcffery, touring; manager for the Ellon Comedy Company, arrived at Te Kuiti on Tuesday for the purpose of arranging preliminaries in connection with the performance of the Company on May 2,)tli and 25th. The genial manager reports good business throughout the lour, and is thoroughly assured of a bumper house at Te Kuiti. Mr jcffery last visited Te Kuiti about twelve months ago, and is much struck with the progress the township has made in the interval.

The Taumarunui Racing Club's Ball which is to be held to-night (Friday), gives promise of being a most successful function, ;md is sure 1o be widely patronised. It is expected thai a number of visitors from 'J'e Kuiti will attend.

At the last meeting of the Kawliia County Council a letter was read from the Chairman of the Waitomo( 'ouncil with reference to the proposed conference with llie Minister of Public Works suggesting that, as it was uncertain when the Minister would be in the King Country it was advisable that the delegates should proceed to Wellington. After some discussion it was decided Iha 1 the Chairman and Cr McCardle represent the Kawliia Council at the conference at Wellington.

The compensation, case in which the widow of the late James Suminerfield claimed compensation for (lie accidental death of her husband while bushfclling on the properly of Major Lusk at Mairoa, was decided at the last silling of the Arbitration Court at Auckland. The Court held that Summerfield was a contractor, and therefore not entitled to compensation. However, Mr Reed, counsel for the Messrs Lusk, staled ihat his clients recognised a moral responsibility, and had paid a sum of £2OO to the claimant.

Reports from Canterbury stale that notwithstanding the drought experienced in the summer, the harvest was not nearly so poor r.s was expected. The threshing returns indicate a general average for Canterbury of close on 30 bushels of wheat per acre. The Government estimate of March hist, with regard to the oat yield will, it is said, be exceeded by 2,000,000 to 3,000, 000 bushels. Barley crops have also turned out better than were expected and should give about 200,000 bushels more than was estimated.

In a speech at Invercargill, last week, the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, pointed out that the expenditure on education in the colony last year was £853,147, and it was quite possible that in future years a re-action would be experienced. A. strong party might seek to cut down the cost of education. This furnished a strong reason why the present .Parliament should do something' more for the endowment of education, so that it would have an assured revenue independent of the consolidated fund.