COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 294, 14 September 1910, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

I Own Correspondents. Pio Pio. Since my last letter we have been having a spell of. splendid weather, and I am pleased to report that the "roads are drying up fast, which is a boon to us back-bloekers. Pio Pio is still improving. Mr Geo. McKay is having offices erected and his brother has just made an addition to his billiard room. I am glad to hear that we are going to have a hall built. There was a meeting held last Friday to consider the erection of the hall, and it was decided to form a company with a capital of £SOO in 500 shares at £1 ! per share. Canvassers were appointed ! to canvas the district for shares, and I hear that they are meeting with great success. Mr V. S. Hattaway has given a section oC land to erect the hall on. I wish the new company every success, as a hall is a long felt want in the district. There was also a meeting in connection with the domain grounds, and I hear that a strong committee has taken the matter up of clearing, etc., in hand, and intend getting it fenced as soon as possible. This month is going to be a redletter month for Pio Pio, as the saleyards are to be opened on the 28th. We are going to have all the auctioneers selling on that day, and I hear that the yard will be well filled, so, given a fine day, there will be a large attendance. On the 30th of the j month there will be the official opening of the Pio Pio Co-operative DairyFactory. I hear that our member, Mr W. T. Jennings, is to perform the opening ceremony, and after the opening the settlers are going to have a right good time with a picnic and sports for the children, when a large a gathering is expected. The directors must feel proud of their labours in bringing the factory to such a successful issue, and it now lies with the suppliers to put their shoulders to the wheel, and help the directors and manager to make it a financial success. I Kiriteherc-Moeatoa. A meeting of settlers is to be held at the "Mill," Kairimu, on Saturday, 24th September, to discuss the proposal of forming a county, to include the Marakopa, Kiritehere, Pomerangi, Mangaohae, Kairimu and contiguous districts. A big attendance is expected and it is to be hoped that there will be a settlement as regards the local government of the district. The improvement of the Marakopa river will also be discussed. The weather at present is splendid and if given a continuance of the lease for a week or so things in the back-, blocks will brighten up considerably. The Minister for Lands has written to say that the throwing open of the remainder of Crown lands in the Awakino county will be dealt with as early as possible. There should be very little delay in dealing with the Crown lands situated in the Whareorina and Mangamangero survey districts, as there are about thrity sections already surveyed. It is understood that a debate will take place at an early date between a team from Kiritehere and a team in Marakopa. The subject has yet to be chosen. It is proposed to charge a small admission fee and the funds so collected to go towards the starting of a fund to establish a library in the district. According to reports lambing so far this season has been a success.