Random Remarks.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 92, 24 July 1908, Page 4

Random Remarks.

(Contributions to this column are alwavs welcome from any part of the district. The editor does not vouch for the authenticity of the stories, nor is he responsible for the criticisms.l ']Tic thirst which rules supreme in the Rohe Potac must be of a consuming nature, judging by the risks people run to satisfy it. The writer has always been of opinion that the particular brand of thirst experienced between Te Awamutu and Taumarunui could be voted champion position "on the voices." but the Southern portion of the district evidently has to be considered. Ohakune and Raetihi are contributing their quota, of liquor cases, and the term " sly grog " is becoming fashionable in the locality. Possibly, v.'hen the Main Trunk line is finished, and the district has settled down to peaceful pastoral pursuits, the position v.-ill be somewhal_ alleviated. A suggestion in the direction of overcoming the prohibition, which is so odious to the thirsty ones, is to establish vine growing extensively on the poorer lands, and encourage the wine-making industry. Judging from present indications there would be little of the finished commodity left for export, •■nee the local appetite "had been satisfied. The tilling of the local demand, would be no small feat, and the man who accomplished such a work ivould become sufficiently popular to get into Parliament.

Conflicting opinions arc held by King Country residents with regard to the proposed time-table for the Auckland-Wellington express on the Main Trunk line. One reason for the difference is that nobody finite seems to know at what time the train will pass through the district. After abstruse calculation a. local votary of the strenuous existence concluded that the proposed service would suit Te Kuiti business people admirably. By journeying from le Kuiti to Auckland at night the strenuous one could transact a day's business at the city and return home the following night. Presumably the misguided one would feel refreshed and invigorated by the following day. and attack his duties with renewed zeal. That sort of person is in no danger of beAittiW Even a journalist, who works through halt the night, expects to obtain an hour or two for rest during some part of the twenty-four hours. # -::• •:<• In Parliament the other day there ensued considerable discussion with regard to the site for the new Parliamentary buildings, but unfortunately the member for our district missed the golden opportunity of advancing this district's claims as the most suitable site for Parliament, and the establishing of a capital city. To the unbiassed there is but one locality which offers all the advantages necessary for the ideal capital, and Mr Jennings' voice should certainly have been heard proclaiming that " the fertile and salubrious country between the Tangnrakau gorge and Ongarue was preeminently the site for New Zealand's capital city." The only conceivable objection would be the price of the land, but 1 have it on the authority of one of the prominent settlers that the soil is so fertile that grain crops cannot be harvested as they grow too high.

The spirit of enterprise is an essential influence in every community and, moreover, is a stimulant calculated not to " steal away men's brains " but rather to exhilarate, and sharpen the wits of even the laggards. The aforesaid spirit has evidently entered the Ohura, and is making itself felt in divers directions. Not content with medical clubs, settlers' associations, railway combines, uairy lactones, and the multitudinous, adjuncts of industrial and social existence the enterprising spirits are clamouring for a county of their own. More power to them ; we may now rest content that the proposed legislation connected with Local Bodies will be entirely satisfactory, and the dawn of a new era for County Councils is merging into day. In the near future we shall hear o\ a proposed Town Hall and Municipal Chamber at Mangaroa, or Mangapapa, or Manerc, or whichever place is destined to become the o un:y t'VA-a. There are dark rumours t-i the effect that M.ihorahora is likely to earn the distinction, but failing corroboration by the chief citizen of that centre, the writer prefers to offer the statement for what it is worth.

The industrial exhibition, to be held at Auckland during Fleet Week, promises to be an unqualified success. •]?. addition to the exhibition to be heiditin a special building erected on th'.lPrown Hall site, several of the large* Queen Street firms have announced that they are to make special window exhibitions displaying New Zealand Manufactured goods. With a view of breeding a finer class of sheep an Ashburton grazier has imported several pure-bred merino rams, which he is crossing with large-framed crossbreds. This farmer is of opinion that _tco much in-breeding is responsible for the inferior and "coarse class of sheep that are to be seen on every hand throughout the Dominion.

Sneaking at a deputation of the Town Councillors, which waited on the Manioooto Tuwharetoa Maori Land Board at Tauinaranui last week. Mr. Thompson stated that the local bodv could not keep pace with the times owing to the smallness of its income, which was about £2/0 per annum.. The local body was constituted under the " Native Township Council Act, 1906," and one clause of the Act declares that the Conncil possesses all the powers of a borough council, yet the Government declined to lend money on the securitv of the township.

A studv of the time-table outlined bv the Minister of Railways in connection with the. Main Trunk Express shows that under the proposed conditions the trains North South should pass each other at Te Kuiti. In replying to a Taumaranui application "that the Maori Land Board should favourably consider the granting of a £2OOO loan out of accumulated rents, for town improvements. Mr. J. W. Browne, President of the Board said the Board members were anxious to assist the town, but their hands were tied by defective legislation. They had no power to lend the money without direct authority from the Government, and legislation might be necessary. However he woufd make a favourable recommendation. The liquor question is receivingattention at the hands of the leading Maoris, and at the congress in Wellington, last week the following resolution was passed: "That this Congress heartily approves of the petition so largely signed by the Maoris in favour of local option, and earnestly hopes it will receive •immediate attention from the Government." A deputation consisting of leading chiefs was appointed _ to present the petition to the Prime Minister. Information was received at Te Kuiti on Friday last to the effect that a vouth named" Robert Cashel, son of the well-known surveyor, Mr R. Cashel, of Te Kuiti, had been killed in the Taupo Totara Timber Company's bush at Makai. Full particulars have not been received, but it it is understood that young Cashel was crushed by a falling tree and killed instantaneously. Mr. George Otway, representing the Mutual Life Insurance Society is now paying a business visit to Te Kuiti and surrounding district. Mr. Mackecknie. who for some time past has been accountant at Green' and Coiebrook, Ltd., Te Kuiti, has been transferred to Auck- ' land to take a similar position at the head office. Prior to Mr. Rogers departure from Te Kuiti, the employees of Green & Coiebrook, Ltd., made him a presentation, which took the form of a silver vegetable tureen and biscuit barrel. Mr. Rogers has been removed to Ngaruawahia as manager of the firms branch there. The usual fortnightly social of the Te Kuiti Hockey Club takes place on Monday evening next. A farewell social is to be tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Seymour, in the Te Kuiti Hall, on Thursday next, prior to their departure for Otorohanga. For Children's Hacking Cough at night Woods' Great Pepperment Cure is 6d. & 2s 6d. At the Te Kuiti Police Court on Tuesday last, before Messrs. Tammacigc and Sims, J's.P., William Smith appeared on remand from Auckland, charged with stealing a quantity of -whisky, the property of Mr. Taylor. Constable Matthew, who prosecuted, applied for a remand, and stated that the chief witness for the prosecution was unable to appear having just undergone a surgical operation. The constable stated there were other charges, which had to be heard by a Magistrate, pending against the accused. Smith was remanded for eight days, and was taken to Auckland in custody. For Bronchial Coughs take Woods' 'Great Peppermint Cure. is 6d and 2s 6d.