THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1908. DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 106, 5 November 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1908. DISTRICT PARS.

- - Mr .Jennings' Committee mot on Monday night last at Te Kuiti, when some very important business in connection with the election was transacted. The next meeting takes place in Mr Sutton's room on Thursday. November 12 th.

Paemako settlers are reminded that the annual school concert takes place tomorrow, Friday evening. The function is always an enjoyable one. and as the proceeds are lit.;! ised to swell the

children's prize fund, the support o\ th< parents and friends is freeiy tendered,

In view of the opening* of the .Alain Trunk line. Taumarunui has been classed, two grades higher. A new station master is to be appointed, who will have, charge of the train-running arrangements cf the district.

The contract for the new post office at Te Kuiti has been let to Mr Seed, and a start has been made with the erection of the building".

Monday next, November 9th, will be a postal holiday, and all mails for that day will close on Saturday, November 7th at 7.30 p.m.

All those interested in the formation oc a Bowling Club at Te Kuiti are invited to attend a meeting to be held in Mr Mussen's office on Monday evening next. Excellent support has been promised for the club, and efforts are being made to get the green in order for play as soon as possible.

Mr W. T. Jennings has lost no time in getting round his electorate and has already spoken at the centres on the railway, in addition to Kawhia and Te Rou-a-moa. Mr Jennings has just completed a tour of the Ohura, Aria, and Mairoa districts and intends working southwards to Waitara via Awakino and Mokau Heads. Mr W. T. Bowater, who is contesting the Taumarunui electorate in the opposition interests, has been working the Southern portion of the district. The candidate has just completed a tour of the Taumarunui and Ohura districts, and .is ot address a meeting at Te Kuiti on Saturday evening.

The Main Trunk Railway will be open for traffic on Monday next November 9th. The service is to be a two day one for about two months, the stop-over places being Taumarunui and Ohakune. Passengers from Auckland will leave as usual by the 10 a.m. express and arrive at Taumarunui at 6.50 p.m., leaving next morning at 6 a.m. for Wellington which will be reached by 7.10 p.m. The through train from Wellington to Auckland will leave Ohakune a_t 6 a.m. reaching Taumarunui in time to connect with the ordinary express train at 8.35. The express will leave Te Kuiti fifteen minutes later than at present and willfonly stop at Hangatiki and Otorohanga stations between Te Kuiti and Te Awamutu. The tablet system is being installed between Frank ton and Tau-max-unui and this wll moan the placing of permanent officers at Kawa, Otorohanga and Puketutu. Mr Jer. Ormsby, who at present represents the Te Kuiti Riding on the Waitomo County Council, notifies by advertisement elsewhere that he is a candidate at the forthcoming County election for the same riding. Mr Jennings addressed meetings oi electors at Kaeaea and Aria on Wednesday afternoon and evening respectively, and was exceedingly well preceived. The candidate dealt with topics of local interest and trusted to see the Mokau river and Wairere Falls brought more prominently before the public as tourist attractions. Votes of thanks and confidence were passed with acclamation.

A slight diversion was created at Matiere on Monday evening when both candidates for the electorate turned up in order to deliver addresses. Mr Jennings had engaged the hall, but offered to give Mr Bowater first hearing. The offer was declined, the Opposition candidate preferring to speak after Mr Jennings. This programme waS adopted, and Mr Bowater took the platform at 10.30 p.m.. He referred at length to Mr Jennings and his work, and was requested by that gentleman to deal with politics instead, whereupon one of the audience produced a set of boxing gloves, and placed them on the table in front of the speaker, much to the amusement of the meeting-

An auctioneering business is being started at Te Kuiti by Mr F. Waters, who will hold his first sale on November 7th., when the remaining stock of pot plants, etc., of Mr J. Walker, will be offered.

The candidature of Pepene Eketone for the Western Moari electorate is being vigorously pursued, and Pepene's supporters are confident of success. Tupu Taipgakawa whQ seceded from the Kingitg ranks, in consequence of Mahuta deciding to support Henare Kaihau, has been touring the Southern portion of the electorate in Pepene's interest, and the support met with has been most encouraging. Taingakawa's influence may be ranked as equal with that of Mahuta in the electorate, and his secession must weaken Kaihau's party considerably. Needless to say, a victory for Pepene would be hailed with acclamation by the most progressive Maoris, and his presence in Parliament would be a distinct gain to the Dominion. Unfortunately, in a Maori election the personal merit of a candidate is only a minor factor in the campaign, the influence of the recognised C-heftains being the most important feature. Hitherto the undivided Kingite party ha? weiided sufficient power to determine the result, but the dei'ecton of Taingnkawa has placed an entirely dilferent complexion on things. Special interest is Centred in the contest. inasmuch as the result will deterine whether she prefer-' ssiv° Maoris, who are anxious 10 advance the race

on European iir.es, are su Inciently strong to nominate the conservative members of the race, who wish to delay progress and conserve the 'nana o: the King. lYpene addviw.l a gathering of about two hundred natives at Te Kuiti on November !si anu b.;id a fa\oralde reception.