OTANGIWAI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 190, 13 September 1909, Page 5

OTANGIWAI.

Own Correspondent. A highly successful social gathering i took place in the Otangiwai schoolroom on the 4*h inst. The scttl r* ap '■ predate the advantage of the enlarged school building for social gatherings as \ well as for the daily work of the school cbil 'cm. Dancing, interspersed with musical items made a pleasant change from the usual doll monotony of backblock life. Good music was provided by Messrs A. E. and H. 01sen. and songs were contributed by Messrs P. C. Stuart, Olaens—two, and H. Owens. Mr Stuart also gave a very creditable exhibition of Highland dancing. The gathering, which was voted a very enjoyable one, broke op at 2 a.m. —The Dairying Season.— There is every prospect of the ensuing season being a record one for this district. As there are 150 additional cows milking for the Co-operative factory cheques shootd increase proportionately with the increased supply. ♦Ve shall not be surprised if this factory pays out $d per lb. for butter fat this session, as previously the "divided" supply haa been a serious handicap. It is very unfortunate that many back country settlers are so prone to ignore the importance of united action, when success can be achieved by no other means. I think the fearful roads, the hard tussle for a livelihood under adverse circumstances, and the bard toil needed in "breaking in" the virgin bush, breed in many of our long suffering pioneers a sturdy independence which sometimes has a tendency to develop into what the Irishman terms "cussedncas." But of this lam certain: the settlers have this season ; a geed opportunity of making dairying pay, and that handsomely. It remains to be aten whether, in some instances. their sturdy independence has reached | the "cus3rdness" stage. Agricultural. It is quite refreshing to see year* after year the marked increase in the acreages ploughed and cultivated in this district, as it ensures not only an increased stock carrying capactity but also a lengthening of a profitable dairy ing season. -The Ohura County. - The rolls for the various ridings of the above county have been open for inspection for the past fortnight. We trust that a County Council will soon be elected which will strenuously gTapple with the "MUD PERIL" as the Yellow Peril is not in the same street with th» Ohura mud peril. Recently "Your Own" saw nine staunch horses valiantly struggling through the great Ohura sea with a paltry 25 cwt. load. The colour of the horses was indistinguishable through their generous coating of papa mud. The drivers —there were two- were quite as generously berobed in similar material, and the j waggon was in complete harmony with its surroundings. What price the necessaries of life under such conditions? Truly our fifteen hundred pioneer settlers pay "heavy toll" for the privilege of residing on Ohura Crown lands; and all because our Government in the plenitmle of its wisdom, will perdst in sinking th«r road votes in mud instead of in a generous coating of metal. We all hope that the Council when formed will be an antimod organisation."