King Country Chronicle Saturday, January 7, 1911. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 326, 7 January 1911, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, January 7, 1911. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A meeting cf assembled owners of the Slokau block, held yesterday in Te Kuiti, was postponed until a future date. Tha fire-bell is now being erected near the trucking yards on the spare half-chain land belonging to the Borough. Once it is up and working —and that will be in a day or two—the risks of lire will be sensibly diminished. Another sign of the growth in the Ohura is the decision of Mr Thomas Thomas, blacksmith, to open up there. This should prove a great help to the district, where horse traffic is the sole means of conveyance. We wish Mr Thomas every success in his new departure. The Hon. Minister of Public Works has written to Mr W. T. Jennings, A!. P.. stating that he was having inquiry made as regards the Managkokopu road. Two large motor cars from jsew Plymouth passed through Te Kuiti on ; Wednesday. Asked as to the condition of the roads one of the occupants , said they were good—where there were any. He left a heavy silence :33 to the condition of the track without roads.

Yesterday the special commissioner of the "King Country Chronicle" left on an extended tour of the Rohe Potae. He will visit a very large number of districts and a series of descriptive articles from his pen will begin in an early issue of this journal. The chief event at the Eitham Axeman's Carnival, last week, was the World's Champion Chop, of £35. 2-ft standing block. This event was again won by D. Prstty, of Hamilton ; T. West, Waitotara, was second, and J. Newstrcski, Midhurst, third. The championship of New Zealand 12-in standing block, was won by C. Miley. The Axemen's Cup was won by W. Weston. Of an aggregate of 15,028 acres opened by the Government for selection throughout New Zealand during the month just passed 1877 acres were located in the Auckland province. _ The land was offered under the optional tenure, and was mostly described first and second-class. A total of 77,07U acres are scheduled for this month, "the areas being situated m various parts of the north.

A letter has been received crom the Rev. J. P. Maud, vicar of St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, who was asked by the Synod to accept the vacant Bishopric of Auckland, and in explaining why he was unable to accept the orier Mr Maud says his mother, who lives

with him, is nearly ninety years or age, and it would be impossible for him under the circumstances to leave England. Te Kuiti is likely to be taken out of the Tauinarur.ui electorate, ard made the centre of a new electorate, says the "Scar." The Mayor of Te Kufti, Mr James Boddie, will be the Opposition candidate. If a new constituency is formed, under the scheme of alteration of boundaries, it is possible that the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture (whose seatin the South Ivsland is almost sure to be wiped out) may stand as the Government candidate for Te Kuiti.

The "New Idea." begins the NewYear with one of the best numbers it has yet issued. Several special features are introduced to mark the season, notably a fine article by Dr Fitche'tt on the "Steilar Side Almanac," a description of *ome New Year customs by Bertine Charles, and a thoughtful reverie for New Year's Eve, entitled "What Lies Ahead','" Household departments comprise as usual a monthly encyclopaedia that grows more and more indispensable.

Mr E. A. Power, of Te Kuiti, and Mr R. Mcßobie, of Waihi, were successful partners in the Pairs match at Te Aroha Bowling Tournament yesterday, winning that event. Had it been possible to have stayed a Te Kuitian would have been Mr Power's partner, but none of the other players were able to remain.

Mr J. Willis, of Otorchanga, has just been appointed agent for the Gsne milking*machine. This machine, has exclusive patents which render it one of the easiest and most economical milkers on the market. The automatic release is a great labour-saver, while the method of distributing milk to the cans has received favourable comment from farmers throughout New Zealand. Mr Willis will give information gladly to all enquirers.

Yesterday the workmen attached to the Railway Department commenced pulling up the planks forming the footbridge leading to the Bowling Green at Te Kuiti. The only way to that resort now is round by the other side of the river—until such times as the Borough Council footbridge is built.

In referring to the rain-producing experiments at Oauiaru, the Wellington "Post" says: —This bomb business is on a par with employing a fly to tow an elephant cr a mouse to move a mountain. There is another aspect which is worth discussing. Some parts of Otago are suffering now for the blind, senseless disturbance of Nature's balance in the past. Nature had her vegetation on the slopes to conserve the water and the soil alike. Man hacked and burnt away the covering. Nature was defied, and man, instead of being repentant, imagines that he can force Nature's store of water at the point of a pop-gun! This is the sort of tragic-comedy for Which the taxpayers ara askecj to pay! —There is a mora] in all this for the King Country. Marriage banns not taken up in three months become valueless.