COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 327, 11 January 1911, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

, Own Correspondents, j Pio Pio. Since my last notes Christmas has come and gone. On Boxing Day the I Settlors' IMenie wjs a great success. I Settlers were there from all parts of ; the district, and they all enjoyed I themselves, more especially the little : ones. In the evening a very enjoyable dance was held in the Miroahuiao hall. The settlers' annual ball was held in Mr W. Asplin's large room, but was not so well attended as in other ; years, owing to other attractions. I ; think it proved all the better for those who did attend, as they all eni joyed themselves with the greater floor | space. I suppose as soon as our now | hall is erected there will be a regular | dance through the winter. I Jack Frost, an old friend—or enemy ? ! —paid us an unexpected visit on Christmas morning, and he left his mark on the garden?. Potatoes, pumpkins and other veg ?table3 were damaged by the frost, and as a further worry, potato blight is making an appearance in the district. We are getting splendid weather for road work, but I cannot see any signs of a start being made. I suppose the powers that be are waiting until the wet weather, so as to then start and fill in a few holes with soft mud ' The wool season is now nearly over, and judging by the number of waggon loads that have gone out, and the amount to go out still, it will be the biggest season this district has ever experienced; while I anticipate that next year's exports will be doubled.

The building trade is going to be brisk, as soon as timber can be carted out. There are five new buildings to go up, including another butcher's and baker's shop, and a boarding house. I cannot say what prospects there are for a boarding house, but I think there is a good opening for a butcher's and baker's shop in the township. I am pleased to hear that we have at last got a school district, and that a meeting of householders will be held on January 23rd to elect a committee. A keen interest is being taken in the coming election, but I am sorry Mr Bevege is declining to stand for the committee. I think he ought to give the new committee the benefit of his experience. His past two years' work has borne good fruit, so come again, George, and help the new committee ! As showing the justice of our fight for a school district, we are going to have a committee of seven members. The Education Board is showing its short-sightendess in building a new school to accommodate 50 scholars, when there are 48 children on the roli. I hear that Mr Bevege pointed the facts out to the members of the Board, and got the usur.l stereotyped reply: "Referred to Inspector." It is not much U3e putting up a building like this, when it will be too small before it is built.

The dairy factory continues to turn out a first-grade butter, and the supply is keeping up. In fact, it is increasing. The directors are consigning the butler Home for the Enghlish market direct, and are de termined to have all that there is in the business for the benefit of the suppliers.

Marakopa. Wc are now getting summer weather and bush iires are already beginning to show up. The New Year passed off very quietly here, there being no sports this year owing to a permit for races being refused by the Minister for Internal Affairs. Shearing is nearly finished here, and most of the wool is on the way to market. The clips have on the whole been very good and prices satisfactory. On Monday, 2nd January, a delightful picnic was held by Marakopa and Kiritehere-Moeatoa residents, on the upper reaches of the Marakopa river. The weather was fine, clear and cloudless, and a score or so of gay merrymakers clattered gaily up the Marakona Valley road which the sun had baked to the hardness of fine macadam. The picnic was held on the grass near Mr Jones' woolshed, on the banks of the river. It was at first intended to hold the picnic at the cherry trees, but this place had to give way to the former. Many of the ladies took advantage of Mr Percy Bell's launch, kindly placed at their disposal, which took up a party of picnickers to see and admire the winding beauties of the liver, and the towering bush topped hills. The mill was inspected and the surrounding country with its wide l.ndts of flats, covered with stately pine trees, was admired by the more practical minded as a splendid country for dairying. Near the river the Hats are rich alluvial soil washed down from the hiils, and they lie at a distance of only a mile or two from the new dairy factory. At nightfall the. picnickers returned to Marakopa by road and launch, thoroughly satiated with enjoyment. Near the shore the launch ran into the submerged trunk of a big tree, where it was stuck awhile, and the party was conveyed ashore in a beat. The three men who took charge of the launch talked theosophy till the tide lifted them clear. At eight o'clock a dance was held in the hall, the merry-makers dancing till the morning. Early in the evening a pleasant supper was provided by the committee, mostly bachelors. Music was provided by Mrs Wright, Miss MacMillan (Kinohaku), and Mr Matherson, with his phonograph. Two Kinohaku ladies were present. At ten o'clock a heavy storm broke over the township, and- the dancers .had to stop for half an hour as the music was scarcely audible on account of the heavy rain pattering on tli c iron roof. It cleared away quickly, however, and the stars were soon shining brightly in the sky. | A party left by launch at daybreak ; for the Kairimu mill, and the rest, | wishing each other a Happy New ! Year, retired to bed.

Pacm'iko. The Paemako settlers held thenfirst annual picnic on Boxing Day, 2Gth December, in Messrs Johnson LUothers' paddock, when about one hundred people assembled to make the dav a pleasant one. There was quite crowd of visitors from Oparure, Mu'ijraotaki, Te Kuiti, Mahoenui and I'uketiti. During the afternoon -pirts and pus times were indulged n by thi young folks, who thorough y enjoyed' themselves. The following were the winners of the various races: Married Women's ladies' race—Mrs James Johnston ], Mrs Anderson 2, Mrs Harwood 3. Single ladies' raceMiss Churcher 1, Miss H. Webby 2, Misses Hoskin and Harwood dead heat o. Girls' race -R. Churcher 1, R. Ross 2. Sack race —J. Diamond 1, J. Anderson 2, A. Webby ii. Boys' race—J. Jordan 1, C. Ross 2, P. Bailey 3. Men's race—J. Diamond 1, F. Sutton 2, E. Smith 3. Ladies'race —Miss E. Churcher 1, L. Sincock 2, 11. Hcskin 3. The day's outing was brought to an end by a dance in che school in the evening, there being about .forty couple present. Dancing was kept going until the small hour 3 cf the morning, when everybody went home tired but happy. The committee wish to thank Messrs Johnston Brothers for the use of their paddock. Kiritehere - Moeato?.. Mr Galbraith, Government surveyor, is engaged in surveying the Marakopa township, which was purchased quite recently from the owners. Mr Tom Johnston, bridge builder, has the contract for the erecting of the new dairy factory at the karaka trees. It will be completed and the machinery installed, in four or five months' time. The weather has, during these two or three weeks been very warm and grass seed is ripe and ready to cut. Cocksfoot grows well, and this season the ears are well filled with fine heavy seed. Sheep running among the rocks along the coast very often give fleeces of a deep yellow colour, owing no doubt,to the pasture on which they feed. Early lambs are The class of sheep favoured is the Romncy-Lincoln which doe 3 well on the hills, clips well, and always looks in condition. The swamp of Mr John Wouldes, Kiritehere, is coming into condition fast, and sheep and cattle are grazing where, a few years ago, was nothing but a raupo swamp. Much satisfaction is expressed bysettlers and others at the running of the mail between Marakopa and Mangaohae, which is run on the side delivery system, each settler on the route getting his mail put into a box on mail day by the popular and intelligent young mailman, Benny McGrath. Settlers express satisfaction at the convenience of this system of mail delivery, for it saves them many a weary walk to and from the post offices on the route.

Maihi-ihi. The first annual picnic of the settlers of No. 2 Government Improved Farm Mangaorongo District, was held with the kind permission of Mr Magher on his farm, "The Pines,'" on the bank of the Mangaoronga stream on Boxing Day, and it was pleasing to see all the married ::etliers and their wives and familes present with only one exception. The day was simply perfect for outdoor spurt and settlers expressed their gratitude towards the committee for the energetic way they had worked to bring an important function to euch a success. After lunch sports were held for the prizes, mostly presented by the business people of Otorohanga. Results: Settlers' race—Mr Sincombe 1, Mr Ingham 2. Married ladies race -Mis J. Armstrong 3, Mrs Sincombe 2, Single ladies' race—~Miss May Dishei 1, Miss Sincombe 2. Settlers' champion race, 120 yards Mr oincombe, junr., 1, S. D. Chiles 2. Married ladies' consolation race,—Mrs Ingham 1, Mrs Lurman 2. Single ladies' bag race.—Olive Chiles 1, Mary Disher 2. Married settlers' ladies race, for prb.e presented by Gooclson and Co.. Auckland was won by Mrs Lurman. Tovn and lollies were provided for the young folks and games for children were also arranged, an enjoyable gathering breaking up at 7 p.m. The week will remain a red letter week to the settlement, for at about 4 a.m. on Christmas morning, unexpected to the settlers, Santa Clans arrived with his bundle, not only for the children, but parents as well. It turned out there was a parcel for each settler, presented by the officers of the Crown Lands and Survey Department of the Auckland district. It simply goes to show the which exists between the clhcers of the departments and the settlers, and I can assure readevs, the settlers appreciate the goodwill shown towards them.