OHURA VALLEY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 100, 25 September 1908, Page 5

OHURA VALLEY.

(Own Correspondent.) The plain and fancy dress bail, held at Mangaroa, proved the most picturesque and enjoyable event in the history of the Ohura, and shows what can be done by an energetic committee, and a generous public. The Niho Niho settlers have made arrangements with the Auckland Education Beard to erect a schoolroom at Niho Niho; the Board-to furnish all fittings, and provide a teacher. The settlers canvassed the district for support, and approached the Directors of the Niho Niho factory for a site, with the result that a schoolroom was erected on the factory section, and Miss Cussen has been installed as schoolmistress. So far the attendance has averaged 15 per day and the settlers are confident of maintaining a permanent school. In support of the funds, a social and dance was held in the butter room of the Niho Niho factory on the evening of the 18th, and proved a very enjoyable event, many visitors coming from Mangaroa and Mangapapa. The Ohura Medical Asssociation have arranged for Dr. Rowlands to continue in the Ohura district for a term of two years on the basis of a guarantee of £350 per year, and a reduction of fees and mileage ta half the ■present rates. The fees for the term will be : Advice at surgery or per telephone, 4s; mileage, 2s 6d; midwifery, £2 2s; written advice per letter, 4s, and the other in like proportion. On the basis of each head of a family subscribing £1 the committee consider that for the first year the maximum sum required would be 15s, and under 10s the next year to pay the full 'guarantee. They have purchased a section in Mangaroa, and are arranging to erect a suitable residence for the medical officers. One of the mysteries of our Roads Department is why the Tongaporutu road is not formed to connect the Ware district with Mangaroa. The settlers in the Waro district have to pack'their stores from Tongaporutu, a distance of 27 miles, against 13 miles from Mangaroa. On the Mangaroa section in.six years they have formed about 3| miles of a six foot track, and have failed to •keep the bush track open, so that it is a very difficult matter now to lead a horse .' through where three years ago they could pack over, as the bush track follows a ridge which was burnt out last season. The falling trees will soon block it completely. It should be an incentive to our engineer to push the permanent road through. Great discontent is felt with the Settlers' Association, in not urging on the work, as the settlers dch't quite see that they should remain year after year without a track, while the association are blest with good roads, telephone, and regular mail conveniences.

A meeting of the Ohura Settlers' Association is being called to fix the boundary of the proposed ridings 'for the Ohura County, and make arrangements for preparing a roll if the Bill is passed this session. The Matiere and Niho Niho factories are having their machinery overhauled preparatory to beginning the milking season; both expect to start on the Ist October. The boiler sent to the Mangapapa skimming station has proved too small and considerable delay will ensue before a larger boiler can be brought in. Mr McParland, the manager, has arrived from New Plymouth, and is assisting in the general overhaul of trie, factory. Mr Flint, -representing Messrs Mills and Sparrow, of London, agents and financiers of the Niho Niho' factory, visited the King Country lately but owing to his having to proceed to Englai d at once he was unable to meet the directors of Niho Niho factory as arranged. The Chairman met him at Ongarue, and proceeded with him to Taumaruanui. Mr Flint expressed himself as well satisfied with the output of the factory for lest season, and was favourable t:.- extendi::;; skimming ! fax to: y, as 'he rx-xxuc faeu-ry vos in | -Mr f.nd Mrs Fii'v-L axd Liv and io.rs ; Morpeth (i'roxi their honeyrr.ocm) have ! returned to Matiere, and have received ! a cordial welcome home.