DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 31, 24 May 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

+ - The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Lid., has received [the following' cable from its London office : —" Frozen meal. Market has harder tendency frozen mutton. Spot market has advanced for frozen lamb. Supplies are light for frozen beef (sides.) and the market is firmer, with fair demand." In a recent speech at Feathcrston, Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, foreshadowed the dissolution of Parliament during the year. The subdivision sale of Clydevale estate in Otago, met with great success. The area subdivided amounted to 23, 183 acres and nearly all the sections were disposed of. The Govermeni were treating for the purchase of the estate, but could not come within 10s an acre of the price required. A private syndicate then! opened negotiations, purchased the property and .sold the sections with the result mentioned. The Minister for Lands during the course of an interview, said there would be a big debate in Parliament over Clydevale during the coming session. It is reported that the billiard room and a building erected for a blacksmiths' shop at Malierc, were destroyed by lire last week. No particulars as to the cause of the outbreak have been furnished. The Taumarunui Racing Club's ball, held last Friday night, proved a most successful function, about thirty couples being present. Visitors lroni Te Kuiti and other districts attended, and the financial results were satisfactory. The Te Rau-a-moa dairy factory has had a most successful season. Suppliers were paid 6 } / 2 d for their milk, in addition to which there will be a credit balance of over £IOO. A social and dance has been organised to celebrate the closing of the season, and everything points to a very successful gathering of the settlers. A dearth of labour is still reported, and navvies are wanted 011 the Main Trunk line. The Public Works Department is making every eflort to push on with the line, in order to have it completed by the end of 1908, and in some places night shifts are being' worked by the men. The protracted spell of tine, irusty weather is having a beneficial effect all round. The roads are in splendid order for this time of the year, and stock of all kinds are doing well in consequence of the feed holding for a longer period than usual. Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, arrived at Te Kuiti on Wednesday, to open the sitting of the Native Land Commission 011 Thursday. Mr Ngata, M.H.R., who was detained atGisborne, is expected to arrive to-day, and the sitting will probably last about ten days'

Shooting season has not, so far, been productive of many good bags, though in several districts pheasants are said to be fairly plentiful. A few parties, who have shot over the Aria district, report decent sport. Nearer Te Kuiti there is little shooting to be obtained, and the scarcity of birds i-. attributed to the rabbit poisoning which is beingearried on.

A serious conflagration was narrowly averted at Te Kuiti on Thursday night last, at the residence of Mr h. Harrow. About to p.m, just as the family were about to retire, it was it was discovered that (In.' lining' of the dining' room above the fireplacewas on fire. Mr.Harrow with some difficulty, extinguish the flames, but not before they had spread to the ceiling'. H,image to the extent of' about £ls resulted. The cause of the out - break' was discovered io be a defccl in the fire place. The house was covered by insurance.

The township sections at Otorohanga, administered by the Maori Land Admistration Hoard, are to be disposed 0/ by public auction on June 20th next. The tenure is leasehold for a term of 21 years, compensation being allowed for improvements. Included in the sections are t wclve which arc grouped into three areas suitable for gardens and paddocks, which are offered lor terms of five vear.-;.

The Maori prophet, Una, is again in the Whakatane district with about one hundred follower;-;, and his presence is causing' considerable interest in the locality. The. prophet's followers have sold all their stock, and other personal property of any value. Many have, sold draught horses for £l(), believing that they would eventually regain possession of the animals. Rua has placed several propositions before the Tuhoe tribes, one of the chief items being' that the Natives art' to follow up all his instructions and strengthen (because. The proposal:, arc to be considered by those interested at the Matatua Maori Council meeting next month. The Maniapoto Rugby Union delegates met i)n Saturday evening last, when the by-laws framed at the previous meeting were, with some slight alterations, confirmed. The matter of entertaining' visiting teams was brought up, and it was decided by the delegates that it was desirable that the entertaining' of visiting clubs, should be continued, as it was likely to prove beneficial in connecting the good fellowship between the Union Clubs. Mr Steel was appointed to referee in the ()parurc- Piopio match, to be played at Piopio on Saturday next.

Owing to pressure 011 our space several letters are held over until next issue.