DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 51, 11 October 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

In our advertising columns will be found ;i notice calling for lenders for the Taumarunui JJos|)i(;il. hi response lo an application, Mr .1. D. Couch, Kngineer in charge, with his usual courtesy has arranged to supply 111:11):■ lo Te Kuili post-office, where they can be inspected by people desirous oi" tendering. For his prompt and courteous acquiescence to a reasonable request, Mr Louch is deserving <>f the the thanks of all the local contractors.

On the 30th April ilasl iheiv were 91,942 sheep in the Raglan County, being an increase of l(),<)) 2 over the previous year. In the Piako (bounty there were 104,240, and in the Man 11kau County, 82,126. Raglan Chronicle.

It appears from the reports of the representatives of various local bodies in the Waikafo who have, recently visited Taupiri lo inspcel the quarry, with a view to finding out definitely whether the stone then: was suitable for road metal, that this stone is not likely to be. largely used as it not suittable for carrying heavy traffic. The road metal question is at present a burning one in the Waikalo. For the year ending 31st March, 1907, the Kinj;' Country and Kawhia provided IK) patients to the Waikato Hospital, Waipa County 124, Hamilton 81, Piako 74, Waikato County 96, Raglan County 24, Te Aroha to, Rotorua 17, Cambridge 11, other districts 23, making a total of $79 patients admitted to the hospital during the year.

A sure sign of progress in any now centre is (he adoption of lown methods of display on (he part of business people. This is particularly so in the drapery line, and the. spring show window of Messrs Crecn and Colebrook is a sight which will appeal strongly 1o the fair sex of Te Kuiti. The decorations are artistically arranged, and the general effect adds credit to a firm noted I for progressive methods and the practice of keeping thoroughly abreast of the times. A replace advertisement from this firm appears on our front page. The Rev. S. Spencer, who has been indisposed for some time, has been ordered a change by his medical adviser. After attending the Synod, which opens at Auckland on October lßlh, Mr Spencer will proceed to Rotorua, and will probably return to Te Kuiti in time for the opening of the new Church, the first Sunday in November.

It is rarely that seabirds are seen so far inland as the railway in (lie King Country, and the sight of two gulls at Hangatiki on Monday last occasioned some little surprise. It is well known .that seagulls seek the land on the approach of a storm, and by reaching liangatiki, our recent visitors were making assurance doubly sure.

About 200 Maoris from the Hay of Islands were landed at Tuparoa by the Haupiri (writes the (iisborne correspondent of the " N. '/,. Herald). It is understood that they have come to receive instruction in slice]) farming and other classes of agriculture, with the object of disseminating the knowledge acquired among the Ngapuhi natives.

Mr R. S. Galbrailb, Dislrici Surveyor, has been instructed to expend the vote of £2OO eradicating willows in the Mangapu River. As Mr Galbraith belongs to To Awamulti where the great evil caused by the gr nvtli of willows in the local streams has been mastered in a most successful manner, we can expect good results.

There is now every probability of a doctor being obtained for the district. The fund has ivachcd close on £2OO, and at the Committee meeting on Monday evening it was decided to advertise for a suitable medical man.

The damage done to roads in the district by the recent Hood was very slight, and the various bridges and culverts came through! the ordeal very well. The culvert and filling on the road opposite Te Ktiili School, however, suffered to some extent, and portion of the roadway disappeared. When the flood waters covered the road one or two riders had the unpleasant experience of discovering' the washout, the'result being a severe " ducking."

Cornering bottles may be regarded by the flippant-minded as a somewhat humorous proceeding, and the idea at first sight seems to hint at the popular comic opera. However, the Southerners, particularly the thirsty souls, are grievously concerned at present over the possibility of a rise in the price of beer consequent on the short supply of bottles. Messrs Thomson <S: Co. suddenly announced at Dunedin that they were prepared to pay half-a-crown a down for beer bottles, instead of the usual price of a shilling, and the holes and corners of the country were searched in the effort to gratify the linn's lust for bottles. Other bottling (inns find it: impossible to secure a sufficient quantity at the usual prices, and a strong desire is manifested to talk " reason " to Messrs Thomson and Co. The construction placed upon the term " reason " differs so violently, according to the point of veiw, that It he ultimate fate of the thirsty one with regard to the price of beer is extremely difficult to determine.

The farmers in this locality arc having a very busy lime at present. A large number of sheep were brought into the district last season and lambing on most farms has been completed. The recent spell of severe weather retarded operations somewhat, but docking in most cases has now been accomplished. Some excellent lambing percentages are reported, in several cases exceeding a hundred, while the majority have averaged over ninety.

During the "prist week there have been many conllietin.i; statements witli '"

regard lo the probable price of bread 8 and it has been determined by several firms in the South to raise the price to 4d per two pound loaf. This movement has not become general, however, and from all accounts Hour will require to make a further rise in order to increase the price of bread, al| round,.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy., Ltd., have received the following cable from their London Office : —" Wool as compared with last sales closing rates prices are higher by about par to 5 per cent for coarse greasy cross-bred, coarse cross-bred slipe, and medium crossbred slipe. Higher by about 5 per cent for coarse scoured cross-bred, medium scoured cross-bred and fine cross-bred and about the same for medium greasy cross-bred. Market closed strong for all sorts of wool." In commenting upon the recent sad drowning accident at Waitomo, a correspondent strongly advocates the placing of white posts on each side of every culvert, or bridge, that becomes covered with water during a flood. This is certainly a matter which should be given attention by those responsible, as there are many such places in the district, _ and the safe-guarding of the public is at all times the first thing to be considered.

As a number of jerseys used "by the Maniapoto Rugby representatives during the recent trip to Rotorua are still held by the players it is desirable that such should be returned immediately. The jerseys are the property of the Oparure Club and Mr E. A.. Power will be prepared to receive them from the players. The Te Kuiti _ Congregational Church is now almost completed, and the "official opening will probably take place on October 26th, .It is expected that Mrs W. H. Lyon will perform the ceremony, and a number of visitors from Auckland will be present. Special services will be held on Sunday, October 27th, when the Rev. W. Day, of the Mt. Eden Congregational Church. Auckland, will preach. On Monday following, at 7.30 p.m., a social evening will be held, when addresses will be given by the Rev. W. Day, Mr Lyons and others. Musical items will be rendered during the evening.

A section of land between Otorohanga and Kawa, containing 328 acres, is to be opened for selection on October 23rd. Enquiries about the area in question have been numerous, and there are likely to a large number of applicants. The Railway officials at Te Kuiti have had an extremely busy time of late. In consequence of the unusually wet weather, slips on the line have been frequent, and the men, including the large ballast gang, have been going at express speed. An extensive slip at Hangatiki has been giving trouble for the?-past three weeks and it is still requiring attention. On Friday last the express train had_ a rather narrow escape after leaving Poro-o-tarao. Just as the engine was approaching a curve a slip occurred, and as there was a good speed on and a down grade the train crashed right through. Fortunately the rails were kept, and though the engine bore evidence of the experience there was no serious damage done.