DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 55, 8 November 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

The fifth of November _ (Guy Fawkes Day) was celebrated in the usual manner by King Country children, assisted in some cases by their elders. At Te Kuiti there was a cordon of bonfires round the township attended by the usual assemblage of small boys. Unfortunately the Domain reserve, on which the scrub had been felled, was fired by some mischicfmaker, and it is understood that steps are to be taken to discover the perpetrator of the deed.

The famous Mokau estate is again before the British public, and further litigation is pending with regard to it.

The distance between the Northern, and Southern railheads on the Main Trunk line, is rapidly bring decreased, and a further length of line at the Southern end has now been opened for traffic.

The New Zealand Cup, run on Saturday last at C-hristchurch, was won by the English-bred horse Frisco, with Master Delaval second, and Lapland third. The Melbourne Cup resulted in a win for the Auckland-owned Apologue, who won comfortably in record time.

The Rev. S. Spencer, who has been in Auckland attending the Anglican Synod, returned to the King Country last week. Mr Spencer, whose health had not been of the best for some time, has greatly benefitted by the change. The friends of Mr A. Julian, Assistant Roads Engineer for the district, will l>2 pleased to hear of that gentleman's recovery, from his recent severe attack of influenza. Mr Julian was able to get about a little during the week, and to be thoroughly well in a few days.

Bishop Neliffau is expected to arrive at Te Kuiti on November 2lst, when the dedication ceremony of St. Luke's Anglican Church will take place. Provision has been made by the committee of the WaikatoA. and P. Association for admitting' school children to the Show grounds free of charge on November 9th, and Mr Power, headmaster of Te Kuiti School, has arranged for a special railway carriage to convey a number of his scholars to Hamilton by the early train on Saturday morning, returning by the special train the same evening. Mr Power will be in charge of the expedition, which should prove both pleasant and instructive to the scholars. The train fare will amoun|, to is iod return.

A meeting of the Te Kuiti 'lennis Committee was held on Monday night when it was decided to open the courts for the season on Thursday, November 14th. It was resolved that a dance be held in the evening, due notice of which will be given. A committee consisting of Mrs Forsyth, M isses Kerr and Bond, and Messrs Archer, W. Turner and Boles was appointment to carry out the arrangements : -Mr Chilcott, one of the vice-presidents, has kindly presented a gold medal to the club tor competition during the coming season.

Information has been received that the short Bill for the purpose of validating the election of (he Taumarunui Town Council has passed ils second reading, and the long delayed measure will doubtless be. passed at an early date. Taumarunui residents i will be pleased to know that the local body will at last be placed on a sound footing', and be enabled to proceed with the many necessary works incidental to progress in any rising centre.

The high price of wheat has led to the "dear loaf" in many centres besides New Zealand. In London during September, wheat was quoted at 38s a quarter, and reached 50s a quarter in Berlin. A further increase has now taken place, and with the price of wheat at 46s in London, the Berlin price must: be about s<Ss, or over /s a bushel. The import duty on wheat in Germany is about 12s a quarter, and with the harvest a failure there is every probability of bread approaching famine prices. The fishing season opened on Friday last, and at an early hour enthusiasts were to be seen in various parts of the district equipped with rod and line and other accessories for the allurement of the wily rainbow trout. No sensational baskets are yet reported, but trout are said to be rather more numerous than they were last season.

At the last meeting of the Auckland Crown Lands Board, it was decided that several sections in the King Country should be thrown open for selection. Several af the lots are in the Mairoa district, and are valued at 40s and 30s an acre. Another of r the Troopers'sections, comprising 131 acres, and valued at 27s per acre, is also to be offered.

There is every prospect of this year's Waikato Show being a record in every respect. The early train, which leaves Te Kuiti at 6.30 a.m. on Saturday, will doubtless, be largely patronised, and as a return train leaves Hamilton for Te Kuiti at 4.50 p.m., visitors from the King Country will have ample time to spend at the Show.

The fencing of the railway line beyond Puketutu is to be started by the Railway Department next week. A good gang of men are to be employed as soon as they arc obtainable. The dearth of labour continues in the district, and Inspector Sellars is doubtfull of being able to secure the number of men required. However, as the job is likely to take some lime, and the full 8s a day can be earned througlvouMhe summer, there is every inducement for capable men. Periodically agitation crops up among the Maoris for the abolition of Maori representaion in Parliament, and a definite issue on the subject is to be placed before the Maori Congress, which is to meet in Wellington at or shortly before the beginnig of next session. Many of the Naliws favour the doing away with flic representation, ami it is proposed to lake an informal referendum on the subject at the next general election. The growing capacity of Oparure soil and the geniality of the elimale are well known in the district, but if proof were required it could be shown by Mr Read, the schoolmaster, who already has green peas lit for use, as well as variety of oilier vegetables. Very fine early blooms of (lowers are also to be observed in the school garden which is looking wonderfully gay, considering the late arrival of spring. The necessary work in connection with arranging for the application for the loan for metalling (he Mangaorino road has now been accomplished and the petition will forwarded lo Wellington in due course. It is expected that the money will be forthcoming in time for the work to be undertaken during the coming summer or autumn.

Mr Stallworthv is asking the Minister for lands whether he does no( consider the duties devolving" upon the Commisioner of Crown Lands for tlu* Auckland district too onerous lor one person, and that the time has arrived for the appointment of a chief surveyor, to superintend the survey portion of work now done by tlie Commissioner, and asked for by (he Auckland Committee of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors and the Auckland District Law Society.

The Premier has been asked by Mr T. Mackenzie to call Parliament together in May, " in order that members may devote themselves to I lie country's business during the winter months, and be free to attend to their own when the spring and summe 1 " months arrive."

The question of rafting" on the Wanganui river is still being k< pi prominently before the authorities by** King Country saw-millers. At the. last meeting of the T.iumarunui branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation, a letter from the Minister of Lands .was received, slating thai the Wanganui river had not yet been proclaimed under the "Timber Moating Act of 1884," nor had any application been made to the Land Hoard to proclaim it. The Minister further slated that the regulations would certainly forbid the (loating of timber between the Ist of November and the Ist of May in each year.