ARIA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 238, 2 March 1910, Page 5

ARIA.

Own Correspondent. The recent raina have made the roads very sloppy, and it is doubtful if they will again be good before the winter. This means that freights will rise, and •as the settlers have very little of their winter supply in, and local prices are beyond all reason, it will be a very hard winter for some.

Bush burning has been considerably retarded by the weather, and bad burns are frequently reported; yet, from the dairying aspect, it has been a remarkable season, and although the supply at the local dairy factory has dropped, it is maintaining its output Well,'and with the ' high prices ruling gt Home, we should have a bongs to draw at the close of the season. I hear there is to be another meeting Shortly to consider co-operation. With co-operation the future of the factory is assured.

I notice the recent test cases in connection with the factory have all been decided in favor of the proprietor, and it is understood here that all guarantors must either milk or pay up. The wild fruit has been very plentiful'here this year,' and % regret to state tb/at orchards have 'suffered' sjomewhat from Toppers, who are very numerous, a§ fay ap fruit is concerned, I hear that one prosperous ♦'cockatoo,''' who lost all his pe'aches. actually destroyed his trees to keep the miscreants off his property. The Mokau punt, which was recently washed away in a flood, has been brought back, and will shortly be at the service of the public in charge of an old campaigner in that line, at Totara crossing.

"''■tfwiiig p the very hjgh prices of wppf : ttiis geaspri, -'several ; 'of' oyr energetic settlers have been tempted to invest in sheep, and a fine flock of 2000 arrived last week, and have been successfully drafted, at Mr W, Tolme's yards, to their respective owners.

The building of the Catholic Church, under the supervision of Father Langerwig, Maori Missionary, is, making gppd progress, and -\vill be }ji'"readiness for the opening ceremony on Easter Sunday, when a great gathering of Native Catholics from all parts of the North Island is expected. The building will be a welcome addition to our township, and it is hoped that local Catholic friends, both European and Native, will assist in every possible way to'make the Easter function a gigantic success.