COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 282, 3 August 1910, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

Kiriteliere-Moeatoa

After a somewhat protracted delay, the new bonds for signature by guarantors, in connection with the proposed telephone line from Mairoa to Marakopa via Mangahoe, Moeatoa, and Kiritehere, have come to hand. The original bonds which were signed and sent on to the department three months ago stated that the line was to be from Ratanui to Marakopa and that the guarantee per annum required was £69 10s. However, it was pointed out that unless the line was connected to Mairoa that it would be useless to settlers. A reply from the department elicited the fact that for the line to be taken through to Mairoa a guarantee of £9l per annum would be required. All the original guarnators have signed the new bonds, with the exception of Mr John Bell, of Kiritehere. It i 3 understood that Mr E A. C. Stanley, the well-known Marakopa storekeeper, will sign in his stead. County matters are still exercising the minds of settlers. Those in favour of merging the Marakopa, Kiritehere and Kairimu districts have forwarded their petition to the Kawhia County Council, while those opposed are in communication with the Minister for Internal Affairs. A great struggle is expected because Pomerangi and Mangahoe settlers contend they are in the affected area and will use every effort in conjunction with those opposed in the now proposed district to be merged to defeat the movement. Feed has been fairly plentiful so far this winter, and stock are looking well and contented.

Pio Pio. We are having a lot of rain at present and the roads are almost impassable.

There is every indication of a very early spring, as the feed is growing well and the fruit trees are starting to bud.

House-warming is ■ the order of the day in the district. Mr W. Asplin opened his new dwelling by inviting the settlers to a dance, and, in spite of bad roads, between thirty and forty couples were present. Songs were also given and everybody enjoyed themselves, and kept it going until daylight. It was pronounced a great success.

I am pleased to say that the dairy factory is nearly completed. The engineers are busy erecting the machinery and a very nice looking lot it is. The engineer informed me that it contained all the latest improvements. So it is to be hoped that they will turn out a good article. The directors are having a busy time, holding meetings. Every week they have devoted a lot of time to the work, and deserve the praise that is given to them for the way they are carrying out their duties. I hear that the manager has been appointed, but I have not heard his name. It is to be hoped that he is master of his work and will make a name for the factory. There are a few "who doubt my figures as to the average attendance and the number on the roll of our school, so I asked Mr Bevege, School Commissioner, if I was correct, and he informed me that I was quite right and to assure me he informed me that since the school opened last February, he had had to get twelve more desks, and even now there is little enough seating room for the children. He expects to see the number go up to 50 in the summer.

Messrs Peach Bros, had the misfortune to lose their valuable entire horse last Sunday. It is a great loss to the district.