THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY SEPT. 23, 1909 KING COUNTRY PROGRESS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 193, 23 September 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY SEPT. 23, 1909 KING COUNTRY PROGRESS.

THE forthcoming election of councillors for the Ohura County Council marks another step in the march of progress which is taking place in our district and the Ohura people are to be congratulated upon taking a step which is so necessary to the advancement and general well being of any community. Originally portion of the Clifton County the Ohura was recognised by its settlers as having no community of interest with the Southern portion of the Taranaki district. Steps were taken to cut off from Clifton and include the Ohura temporarily with Waitomo. At the time it was realised that the day was not far distant when the settlers would be in a position to set up local government on their own account and the present election is but the natural outcome of expanding settlement in a district eminently suitable for a separate County. The fact that contests are taking place in every riding but one indicates that widespread interest is being taken in the event and bespeaks a healthy tone concerning public affairs. Whatever the i of the Council there is ample -cope i\>r j enterprise in any new district, arid o Ohura settlers have already o-n/ strated the fact that they po;>f I< • h the public spirit and the business ability necessary to direct their effort- in i the proper channels. Like other dis-

tricts in the King Country the Ohura is

confronted with the ever obtruding Native Land Question, and the roading of the district is so affected by the land ownership that until the question of rating Native lands is permanently adjusted progress in certain localities must be slow. However, if the assurance of the Minister for Native Affairs counts for anything there is every probability of the question being placed on a better footing in the near future. In other respects the Council has only to face those problems which have been successfully solved by every other local body in the Dominion. That the Council will worthily uphold the traditions of our backblock pioneers we have every confidence, and in conveying our best wishes to the members we are but voicing the sentiments of every settler in the district.