DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 69, 14 February 1908, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

It is understood that in order to relieve Mr Ilall-Jones to some extent of past Ministerial burdens, Mr McGowan, who has been in charge of the Roads and Bridges Department during the absence of Mr Hall-Jones in England, will retain supervision over this important Department. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report havingi received the following cable from their London office " As compared with last sales closing rates prices arc higher for about par to 5 per cent, greasy Merino super and greasy Merino medium. Lower for about 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, coarse crossbred and Medium crossbred wool and for coarse and Medium cross-bred slipe. Work in connection with the railway improvements at Te Kuiti station is progressing. The engine shed has now been shifted across to the back portion of the yard, and the work of erecting a new station building has commenced. It is understo* d that the new station is to be temporarily erected alongside the present station building, and with the back of tl]e new building facing the line, s<) that when necessary, it can be shifted across, and placed in the position it is to occupy on the township side of the line. 1

Metalling operations on the Mangaorino Road arc being continued by the Roads Department, and it is gratilying to know that last winter's experience ot mudholes in the main road so dose to Te Kniti is not to bt\ repeated. The drv weather still continues .in<i the country is beginning to led the effects of the drought. S.i iar no serious consequences are anticipated but unless rain falls copiously during the present month there will be a lamentable dearth of winter leed.

The Hamilton Regatta Committee have every season to be satisfied with the way in which the watei carnival at the Waik:.to centre is bring supported, and p.cscnt indications point to the gathering being a huge success. Everything has contributed towards making the carnival a record 111 all respects, and when results are calculated on Saturday evening it will be no surprise to find the most favourable predictions more than fulfilled. 'ldie members of the Committee, led by an energetic Secretary, have worked exceedingly hard to organise the function, and are to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts. In the rowing events no less than 38 crews will be found competing, and 88 swimmers have entered for the various swimming races. An attractive feature of the day should be the side shows and post entry events, which include among others, tub races and the time- honoured greasy boom competition. A special train service has been arranged, and visitors from the King Country can return home by an evening train.

This week's Cazette notifies the adjournment of tlie siltin;; of Ihe Native Land Commission at Otorohanga from February 201 h to the 26th.

A meeting of the Maniapoto-Tu-whareloa Maori Land Hoard is to bp held on February 27th al Te Kuiti, and a amount of business is scheduled for dealing with.

In consequence of (In: continual dry weather the bush lircs, which were started toburn felled bush, have never really been put out. and in the Mairoa and adjoining' districts are continually brcakim; out. The whole of the country from Mairoa (o Awakino is said to be under lire, and unless rain conns serious damage may occur. Already stock has suffered, and nearly all the settlers have sustained the loss of a ;;ood deal of through the fires fiellinji into old erassed burns.

The wheat market in the south has continued fairly quiet of late. Among lots sold were loot) bushels of Tuscan and 850 bushels of Hunter's at 4s 3 1 _>( l. There has been some movements in oats, and t.soo bushels of Carton's were sold at 2s id, at a country station. Excepting for prime quality there is very little inquiry for barley, medium and poor qualities not being" sought after.

At the Addington saleyards last week about twenty pigs in the fat and store pens died in consequences of the extreme heat. The pigs were enclosed in uncovered pens, and had no opportunity to get shelter. In some cases owners sprayed the animals with water ; this appeared to afford them considerable relief.

Mr (i. Spanner, of ,\ i i;i. underwent a rather unpleasant experience <>n Wednesday last when riding I<> Te K uiti. MrSpanncr rode inloa hush /ire between the 3 and 4 mile pegs, and not thinking there was any danger he pushed ahead. When in the centre of the lire, which was on both sides of the road, Mr Spanner's horse became somewhat stupified, and I hick volumes of smoke rendered it almost impossible to distinguish the road. Horse and rider eventually came through, but MrSpanncr's coat was half burnt, while the horses mane and tail were badlv singed.

The periodica! visit of inspection by flic members of the Taranaki Land Board starts on February 18th. The Board will visit Ohura, Matiere. Aria, and Totoro, as well as other 1)1 aces.

One of our local anglers reports having had a fair day's sport fishing in the Mangaokewa last week, the catch consisting of six fair-sized trout. Three of the fish weighed 15 1 7lbs, the largest turning the scales at V'Vi'lbs.

The Minister for Lands informs Mr Jennings, M.P., that enquiries arc being made into the request of workmen and others employed in the King Country, relative to procuring sections of land in the vicinity of the Waimarino district. The Member has presented the Minister with a number of petitions bcar.ng on this mailer, and during the Minister's visit, deputations were introduced at Tnumarunui, Manunui, Kakahi, and Raurimu, who spoke in support of the petitions.

In another column of this issue will be found a professional notice oi Mr F. W. Shortland, Solicitor, who has commenced practice at Tauniaruuui. Mr Shortland is author oi several handbooks on Now Zealand law. including a pocket guide for Justices of the Peace, and Police Officers, and a guide (o the bankruptcy law oi New Zealand. A new law work, entitled the " Family Lawyer " is also about to be issued by Mr Shortland. The book is very comprehensive, and embraces all the Acfs of recent date, including those bearing on issues likely to lie raised in conducting any form of business.

The Postmaster-General (Sir J. G. Ward) writing to Mr Jennings, M.P., under date. Fcbruarv Sth, says : - " In reference to your question in the House in November lav!, as to whether Posi-ol.icc Savin:'.'. Harks would be established at offices in the southern portion of the King C oun(j\, I have the honour lo ■ < corn- y>:i ihat it is being arranged i 1 open moh-y order office- and saving.'- banks .it Manunui. Matapuna. Maiierc. Piopr >, Piriaka and Rangalaua. thai i! iias not been possible to arrange with : 'o^tniaslcrs al Hoiopito, , Maiigapeeb , (>ngarue and Poro-o-l;irao|u tai.e charge oi accounting offices." Also, (lie Premier wptes, thai il is being ariaiiged to increase the frequency of the mail service between Ongarue and Oluii'a lrom once to twice weekly.