MARAKOPA AND KIRITEHERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 31, 24 May 1907, Page 3

MARAKOPA AND KIRITEHERE.

Bushfalling is already started in this district, and if more men were available, several more contracts -would be let.

Mr John WiHiscn is buiiding a large new store and accommodation house, l!:c having increased to a very large extent. The coastal steamers, " Rothesay " and " Kotahi," are running regularly, coming with full cargoes of stores, wire, etc., and leaving with full loads of flax and tow. A sad accident occurred on the Kiritehere creek on Friday, April igth, when a little girl named Grace Klein, the daughter of Mr Philip Klein, one of our most respected set- ' tiers, was accidentally drowned. An inquest was held the next morning by Mr Percy C. Rose, J.P., and the jury returned a verdict, accidentally drowned, no blame being attached to anyone. Special mention should be made of the heroic attempts of Mrs Klein so save her child, she having a very narrow escape of being drowned herself. The jury requested Mr Rose to correspond with the Minister of Public Works, re the scandalous neglect of the district as regards roads. No woman could possibly get to Mrs Klein in her trouble, and the body of the child was carried by the settlers for six miles and a-half to the cemetery reserve for interment, the track being impossible for horse traffic. Every settler who had heard of the sad event attende'd. Many times the bearers were bogged beyond their knees, and had to be dragged out by those having a spell. A meeting of settlers of Kawhia South and Kiritehere was held on Saturday, May 4th, at Mr Haylock's, on the Marakopa river, the Kiritehere and lower Marakopa settlers being conveyed up the river by the Marakopa Milling Company's powerful oil launch (the fastest south of Auckland) to Haylock's landing, where the meeting was held. Messrs Jack, Shaw, Tempieman, Haylock, Gordon, Smith, Spring, Rose, Kinnane, Whitcombe, Mist, Klein, Wouldes, and Toomath were present, and but for the bad weather prevailing, many others would have attended. Mr J. Shaw was elected chairman, and Mr P. C. Rose, honorary secretary. The main business of the meeting was to discuss ways and means of erecting a telephone line from Kinohaku to Marakopa Heads and Kiritehere. The Chairman supplied much valuable information about private lines on the East Coast, also of one between Waitomo and Kaikuri. After full discussion by those present, it was estimated that £l5O would construct a line from Kinohaku to Marakopa Heads, exclusive of instruments. Mr Toomath moved that steps be immediately taken to erect a private line from Kinokaku to Kiritehere, and that a canvass be made amongst all settlers and others for support. Mr Haylock seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Whitcombe, it was agreed that all original subscribers be charged is for five minutes, or a message ; non-promoters double rates. The Secretary agreed to immediately correspond with the Northern S.S. Company ; W. Williamson, the Waitara shipowner; Messrs Bell Bros, and Ross, of the Harihari flaxmill, and several settlers at present out of the district, and enlist their support. Mr Shaw agreed to make a thorough canvass of the Kinokaku settlers, and Messrs Toomath and Rose, the Marakopa and Kiritehere people. £SO was subscribed by those present, and no difficulty is expected in finding the requisite amount.