OHURA VALLEY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 69, 14 February 1908, Page 3

OHURA VALLEY.

The annual meeting of the Settlers Association was held on February Bth, when the election of officers took placp. Mr G. Loveday was re-elected Chairman without opposition, and Mr Meredith, Secretary, while a strong "Committee was appointed,_ the whole of the interests of the various districts being thoroughly represented. The matter of the impending visit of the Premier was considered, and it was decided to instruct the Secretary to communicate with the Premier, requesting him to pay a visit to the Ohura during his tour of Waikato. We are now having a bi-weekly mail to the district, and the extra service is greatly appreciated by the settlers, who can thus be kept conversant with outside happenings and receive the benefit of prompt business communications. A telephone service is shortly to be installed at Mangapapa. The necessary poles are now on the ground, and it is only a matter of getting the connection made. A money order office has also been established at Matiere, and should prove an all round convenience. The saleyards at Matiere are now about completed, and settlers are looking forward to an early sale. Stock are increasing in the district, and there should be ample scope for a good business for the Farmers' Auctioneering Company. There is a considerable amount of x building proceeding in the district, and new houses are going up, both in townships and out districts. The dry weather is keeping back the pasture somewhat, and a few days rain would do a wonderful lot of good. However, though the grass is getting short there has been no material check to the dairying operations. Both factories are running and the supplies are keeping up well. The dairying industry is bound to send the district ahead, and should increase in volume each season. Sheep are coming freely into the district and as much of the country is specially adapted for sheep there is likely to be a large wool and mutton output in a few years. Several land sales are reported to be on the tapis, and a section at Niho Niho has just changed hands at about £8 an acre. The recent fires, although beneficial in one respect, assumed a somewhat serious aspect in several instances, pnd serious loss was occasioned. Mr W. Sandison was completely burnt out losing house, tools and implements. Messrs Kelly and Savers, of the Roads Department, who were staying with Mr Sandison were also heavy losers, Mr Kelly's instruments being destroyed. Mr Dense's house at Toi Toi was demolished. It has the distinction of being the first boarding house in the Ohura. Numerous other settlers suffered minor losses but the clean burns will more than compensate for the loss.