THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1908. DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 80, 1 May 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1908. DISTRICT PARS.

Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., while making a tour of the district last week hand the experience of getting benighted on the Mairoa road. There was rain from above and mud beneath, and the night was moonless and cloudy. Under such conditions it is not hard to imagine that the prospect was anything but alluring. The timely appearance of the Rev. R. Mitchell, however, relieved the position, and with a "lead kindly light" Mr Jennings followed in the wake of the pioneering minister until a welcome haven was reached. The Otorohanga business people have decided to adopt Saturday afternoon as the Statutory half-holiday, and all business premises at that centre will close on that clay at I p.m., instead of on Thursday as heretofore. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, passed through the King Country on Tuesday en route to Wellington from Rotorua where he had spent the week end. At Te Kuiti the Minister was joined by Mr Jennings, M.P., who was proceeding to Taranaki via the Main Trunk line. The Railway staff at Te Kuiti is gradually being increased in order to cope with the constantly increasing traffic. A cadet for the oi'tiee arrived on Tuesday evening and the stationmaster's staff now totals six. The first of the large American express engines was placed on the King Country line on Monday, being attached to the goods train. In eonsequence of the greater hauling power of these engines the innovation should have the effect of relieving the congestion at the King Country stations considerably.

The work of erecting; tin 1 bridge over the Mokau river at Wairere 11; 1 s now been completed by tlie Roads Department, and the Mongaorongo bridge at Mahoenui has a. Iso been completed, the earthwork only remaining to be done. Kndcavours are being made by the settlers to induce the Prime Minister 10 perforin the opening ceremony at the Wairere bridge, and a telegram was received last week from Sir Joseph Ward, intimating that lie would probably be in the district about die middle oi Mav.

The annual meeting of the Te kuiti School Committee, which was to have been held on Monday night last, lapsed for want of a quorum. Mr C. Stevens, grain merchant._ '1 e Kuiti. advertises the celebrated Suddeth Rabbit Fumigalor. As evidence of the usefulness of this instrument, a report conies from the northern portion of the County to the effect that 34 rabbits were killed in one burrow.

Mrl. Nieholls draws attention 111 this issue to the fact that he is holding a clearance sale of boots, shoes and drapery, prior to these departments being taken over by Mr Lineham.

As showing the growth of grass throughout the Waikato district during the autumn, Messrs Ellis ,and Burnand have had to put on several extra hands in their factory to c"6pe with the demand for butter boxes for the various dairy factories. A meeting of members of the Te Kuiti branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union will be held in Mr Mussen's office. Te Knili, at J p.m., on Saturday next. The order-paper of the Provincial Conference will be laid before 'die members, and the amount o] the annual subscription will be fixed for the ensuing year.

Atleniion is called to the replace advertisement of Messrs Corban and Co. on our front page, notifying the arrival of new seasons goods. A new feature has just been introduced into the business of Messrs Green and Colebrook, Limited, banking branches having been established in connection with the firm's business in various centres. The firm has brandies established in several places where banks do not exist, and a considerable amount of accommodation has always been given to customers in the matter of receiving and paying cash. It has now been decided to start a legitimate banking business by the firm, in order to meet the requirements of customers in various places. Interest will be paid on deposits as follows : - 5 per cent, on fixed deposits for twelve months, 4 per cent, for six months, and 3C2 per cent, on current accounts.

It is stated that Mr Meddings, Inspector in the Telegraph Department, intends paying a visit to Te Kuiti at the end of the present week. A deputation of residents is to wait upon Mr Meddings with regard to telephonic matters in the district. With regard to the approaching election for the Waitomo County Council, residents should note that it is desirable that all those eligible to vote should have their names placed on the roll as soon as possible. There are many questions affecting the progress of the district, which will doubtless achieve prominence at the forthcoming election, and the matter of becoming enrolled should have immediate attention. ■

The question of rate notices was introduced at the last meeting of the Waitomo County Council. Cr. Hoffman said there must be thousands of acres of land taken up since the Council was formed, and a large number of occupiers were not paying rates. The Council depended upon the settlement of the County for revenue, and steps should be taken to get the rates. The Clerk said he was getting a lively time from people over the same question. In some instances when a property was transferred, notice was given to the Clerk, but many failed to do so, and when rate demands were served people were apt to make things lively for him in case of the wrong man getting notice. The Chairman explained that with regard to a great many of the native leases, considerable delay was caused by the Registrar refusing to register the documents, on account of technicalities, while the frequent alteration of the law was a source of trouble and delay. There were many leases hung up which should be completed, and the occupiers paying rates. The time for receiving tenders for Mr A. Barnett's house has been extended till Tuesday, May I2th, 1908. The plans for the additions to the Congregational Church at Te Kuiti are now to hand, and tenders are invited for the work. For Bronchial Coughs take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, is 6d and 2s 6d.