DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 33, 7 June 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

The last issue of the Government gazette notifies that the areas originally set aside for the purposes of government buildings, government paddock, and saleyards at Te Kuiti have been appropriated for a public recreation ground. The land in question comprises between six and seven acres, andladjoins the Te Kuiti iPublic School ground.

The 24th of July (Arbor Day) has been gazetted a Public Holiday and local authorities are requested to placed the matter prominently before the people.

It is rumoured that the ailment, which has attacked the Hon. HallJones, is of a serious nature, and will probably necessitate the Minister's retirement from the Cabinet.

R. McLeod, one of the porters on the Te Kuiti railway, met with a slight accident at Lovett's siding on Saturday evening last, being jammed between two trucks While shunting operations were going on. The injuries were fortunately not of a very serious nature, but, we understand, he will be incapacitated for some little lime. William Cole, who had the misfortune to lose his leg, the result of a gun accicent some weeks ago, returned Te Kuiti on Monday last.

The President of the Maniapoto Tuwharetoa District Maori Land Board has issued notices to lessees of section in the Te Kniti township notifying that the leases will be ready for execution at Te Kuiti on Tuesday, June 25th. The race of 220 yds for members of the local football club, for the medal presented by Mr Chilcott, was to have taken place on Saturday afternoon last, but owing to insufficient entries was postponed till later in the season. On Saturday evening last the members of the local football club entertained the Oparure team at a dinner at Mr Sims', boarding-house. During the evening short speeches were made by Messrs Wilkinson, Boles, McCardle, Elliott, Lusk, and Dr Brooks with reference to the game that had been won and lost, and also to football in general. On Saturday last the express train commenced to run daily, and already the residents of the King Couutry are feeling the advantage of the new timetable. We understand that the Ist of July will see another system in existence for Te Kuiti, which should undoubtedly prove of great benifit to the residents and travelling public. A couple ofscctionsneartheTe Kuiti township changed hands this week at satisfactory prices to the parties concerned. The sellers were Messrs Percy and Seymour. During last week several very severe frosts were experienced in and around Te Kuiti, and reports are coming in from all quarters of the disastrous effect they had on the feed, which up to the present, has been rather plentiful.

The Te Kuiti Public Library has just opened up another consignment of new and interesting literature by wellknown authors, and these, together with the books on hand, make a total of over 1000 volumes in the library. The long-looked for stationmastcr for Te Kuiti has at last been appointed, and is expected to arrive here about the 24th June and will take up his duties almost immediately. Mr Melling, who has acted as caretaker at this station for the past nine years, severs his connection with the department on the 28th June. Mr Jennings, M.H.R., who is ever ready to lend his assistance towards securing recognition of King Country claims by the Government, has stated that in a recent interview with the Ministers in charge, he was informed that railway matters at Te Kuiti would be much improved before long, and that a new post-office would be established as soon as possible. The work of clearing a portion of the recreation reserve at Te Kuiti, for a football ground, is now nearly completed. The area chosen is about three acres, and is excellently situated. When thoroughly in order it should make an ideal playing ground. It is said that the blight, which has made its appearance among the turnip crops this year, is caused by the growing of a second consecutive crop, while the remnant of the first crop has been left rotting in the ground. This is said to breed the germ which attacks the second crop. Mr A. W. Rutherford, M.H.R., who has hitherto been a supporter of the Government, has announced that henceforth he will be an Independent Liberal. The reason for his seccession from the party, is his inability to fall into line with the Government, in connection with the Land Bill. The last Government Gazette eontains a notification to the effect that Mr W. Baucke, of Te Kuiti, has been licensed as an interpreter of the Native Land Court.

Some time ago Mr Jer. Ormsby's son, Anthony, met with a slight injury to his eye, whilst cuttting gorse and proceeded to the Waikato Hospital and from latest advices we regret to learn that the accident has proved of rather a serious nature. The last sale before winter was held at Te Kuiti on Wednesday, by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company Limited. The yardings were smaller than usual, but the favourable weather attracted settlers, and the attendance was good. The next Te Kuiti sale will be held by Messrs McNicol and Company, at the beginning of October.

There are now signs of a diminuation in the excitement of the" wheat market. In consquence of the easier tone in the Home market, prices have receded from 4s 3d to 4s per bushel, and there has been no further increase in the price of flour. Bread is selling in Christchurch at /d per 4.1b loaf.

Land values in the vicinity of Te Kuiti continue to rise, and those who were fortunate enough to secure freehold sections at the land sale in November last, have the satisfaction of knowing that the prices paid then can be doubled at the present time. Mr T. Pine has parted with his section at an advance of about a hundred per cent., and oilier owners have been approached with tempting offers.