King Country Chronicle Wednesday, June 15, 1910 LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 268, 15 June 1910, Page 2

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, June 15, 1910 LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Mr H. A. Ellison, the Government Valuer now engaged on the re-valua-tion of Te Kuiti Borough, expects to complete his work by the end of the week. It is expected that Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., will speak at Te Kuiti at an early date, on his way to Wellington for the opening of the session. On Saturday evening next, June 18th, a lecture will be given by Rev. J. S. Webber in the Methodist Church, Otorohanga, entitled "The Humorous Side of Missionary Life in the Backblocks of Queensland in the Early Days." The Maoris of Orakau, North Auckland, have instituted a telephone exchange among themselves extending over forty miles. Fourteen telephone instruments of the latest pattern have been purchased, and the total outlay, so far, runs to £250. A meeting of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce will be held at the "Chronicle" office next Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. It is hoped that a large number of not only old, but new members will be present, as the Chamber exists to forward the interests of the town and the mercantile community. The'proprietors of "Tonking's Emulsion" announce a second word contest (with ten guineas in prizes) to commence on June 15th. The popularity of the first contest should ensure an equally large number of entrants for the second, and we would advise our readers to learn the particulars and forward their word lists. As showing the scarcity of feed in South Canterbury, a prominent farmer of the district last week sent 1000 sheep to feea at Geraldine. The rental for the grass paddocks there is 3d per head. Another farmer recently trucked 300 ewes to the Ashburton Plains, owing to there being pratcically no feed on his property. The value of butter and cheese exported from New Zealand during the twelve months ending 31st May was £2,980,295, or £522,761 in excess of the value for the previous twelve months. The figures which are taken from the official leaflet which has just been issued by the Government, indicate a remarkably prosperous year for dairy farmers. Mr E. T. Lever proprietor of the Bakery, Rora Street, has a replace advertisement in another column, and wishes to emphasise the fact that only the choicest ingredients are used in the manufacture of his cake«, pastry etc, A proof of the quality of his goods is the large increase in his business during the last few months, necessitating the employment of a baker and an assistant.

On Saturday Dalgety and Co. will hold a clearing sale of dairy cows at Mr Blackman's property at Fencourt, near Cambridge, when 40 choice, wellbred young dairy cows, due to calve at end of July or early in August, will be submitted for sale. These cows are a fine lot and are a credit to the present owner. Also a line of Holstein heifers will be offered on account of Mr Blackman. These are a fine lot and should meet with ready competition. After Mr Blackman's lot will be offered on account of other vendors five good dairy cows, also two springing heifers. The meeting called for Saturday evening last to consider the advisability or otherwise of starting dog trials in Te Kuiti, was so poorly attended, only three being present, that it was deemed advisable to postpone the matter until such a time that more public interest would be taken in the matter. It seems a pity that a meeting of this kind, with such a laudable object in view, should not be better attended. It is to be hoped that more local interest will be taken in this matter, as dog trials are not only extremely interesting to watch, but also tend to encourage the settler to take mora interest in working his dogs. The chairman of the local branch of the New Zeaalnd Fanners' Union having been asked to call a meeting of all those interested in dairying matters and the starting of a butter factory in or near Te Kuiti, has called a meeting for Saturday evening next, at 8 o'clock in Hattaway's Hall. It is hoped that there will be a full meeting to talk over this most important matter. It is expected that Mr Spragg and other well-known experts will be present and address the meeting, so that all interested may have an opportunity of determining the best mode of procedure. The local branch of the Farmers' Union will meet at 7 o'clock on the same evening.

At a conference pf the Refprm Party in Auckland, the president, Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., occupied the chair. The attendance was good, representatives being present from the various city, suburban and provincial electorates, and from as far south as Taumarunui. The keenest regret was expressed that the Auckland Reform League had not been able to secure a straight-out Opposition candidate for Auckland East earjy in the campaign. The reports received were most en r couraging as to the headway which the Reform League is making in the different districts represented. Mr Massey mentioned that he had just been round the Dominion, and that the feeling was not in favour of a platform campaign at present. He had no less than 23 invitations for himself and prominent Oppositionists, to address public meetings during the next recess. It was arranged that Mr Massey and other Opposition members, if possible, should address a meeting at Taumarukui, on their way to Wellington, be forsaking up their Parlia-