COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 350, 5 April 1911, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

Kaeaea. Kaeaea seems to wake up for a little enjoyment now and then. After the Aria sports, which were very representative of this part, we ha J a social and dance about a week later. The latter function was held at Mr C. Riddle's residence, and was, I have been told, the very best ever held in Kaeaca. The social and dance was held in aid of the Pio Pio manse fund, and though there was not a great number in attendance, those present were satisfied that it was well worth twice the amount charged. Songs were given by Mrs Riddle, Mrs A. Brough, the Missea O'Neill and Simpson and also by Messrs Nelson and Ward, recitations by the Riddles (:.]) and J. Hearn. I hope that those who kindly assisted in keeping the programme up can be prevailed on in the near future to again give the people a treat. Phonograph items were also a feature of the programme. The gathering dis presed in the "small hours" of morning- . „ Mr Williamson has had the misfortune of having his residence burned. He has, I believe, already arranged for the pit-sawing of timber and erection of a new house. The Aria factory is now being run on co-operative lines, and the directors, who are capable men, will, I am certain, carry the business to a satisfactory footing. A settler has had a good windfall by "the bottom falling out" of a land deal; there are others who would welcome a similar experience. A meeting is to be held, the first Monday in April, at Kaeaea school, re the metalling scheme. How far the proposal will go, I do not know, but I hope the settlers will roll up in full force, as it will interest and benefit all settlers this side of Aria. A lot of cattle and sheep were taken out to Pio Pio sale, but I think equal numbers were brought back. Judging by the appearance of stock, there is no scarcity of feed yet, but water is giving out. I have been wondering why the settlers do not make an effort in the matter of supporting their post office. Married men and batchelors in particular seem not to care whether we have it or not. Can anyone tell the reason? Kiritehere - Moeatoa. The spell of dry weather, unprecedented for this time of year, that we have been experiencing in these parts, has made feed dry and somewhat short. £On the old burns timber which has been down three or four years is as day as tinder, and when lighted burns up slowly, without flame. Cocksfoot and clover are standing the dry weather well, and are throwing up abundance of succulent feed. Rye and the rest of the like shallowcrooted grasses are not standing the drought and heat so excellently. Sheep and cattle are in good condition, and enjoy the warmth and dryness. Though feed is less green than it was last year, and the coming on of the young grass is delayed by reason of settlers not sowing so early, we don't think stock will suffer much as a result. Grass, this season, though less bulky, has a greater feeding value. As a result of petitions sent to Auckland, praying the powers there to enforce the residential clause with all absentees, our absentee, friends have been dropping in, just to see us, and to look sorrowful ac the progress the district is making. "All men are liars," said the psalmist in his wrath. We, the pioneers of the back blocks, are convinced most absentees are, when the little problem of residing come 3 up. We would, publicly and in print, call the attention of the Crown Lands Board, Auckland, to the fact that in several instances the residential clause is being evaded by nonresidents, who take" by their nonresidence, more than their just share of rights and liberties, and we consider this abuse grossly unfair. Ohura. Our well-known and respected settler, Mr Thomas Bell, of Niho Niho, who has been seriously ill for some time, ha;; been taken to the Hamilton Hospital for treatment. Hi* many friends will, no doubt, sympathise with h's family, and trust that "Tom" will make a speedy recovery. One day last week one of our village blacksmiths, Mr McClure, experienced a narrow escape from what might have proved a fatal accident. It fortunately ended with a severe shaking and injuries that Dr Carolan says will incapacitate the sufferer for a month. It appears that, while in the act of shoeing one of the hind hoofs of a big draught horse, the animal became suddenly fractions, kicking and knocking the ; ;hoer about considerably. Mr McClure, in order to recuperate, has gone to Ilawera, where hi.i family reside. Mr and Mrs Fargay, late of Whangamomona, have taken up their residence in the Jlapunia Valley, where, they have purchased a property recently. The contract for the building of Mr Aves new private hotel has fallen to Mr Beare, and operations are to comniuicp forthwith. This, with the new Post Oflice, whieU K to he hui.lt on the opposite of the side street, will undoubtedly give an imposing appearance to our prospective borough. The erection of a few other buildings now going on in the main street gives an air of importance and prosperity, and our ambitious residents will tell you that it is only a matter of a few years \vl;en they will give the two Main Trunk cenuec ;;, run to keep ahead of us. Mr Thomas McKean j.|aki a vitiit last week, with the view oi'looking'at the country, and he appeared to be surprised at itd fertility. Mr Ilenly, of Palmci'sloti North, and Mr Porter, of Stratford, also have been looking round the district. The present state of the weather and the roads throughout the district leaves nothing to be desired in making an excursion into these parts very pleasant and enjoyable.

Te Awamutu. ! The newly formed Druids Lodge. \ held a most successful euchre party j and dance in the local Town Hall on , Friday last. There was a record attendance, and from every standpoint the entertainment was a very success- j ful and enoyable one. Miss B. Me- j Govern was successful in winning the j lady's prize, and Mr A. Pollard carried ! off the prize in the gentlemen's sec- j tion. The trophies were presented by Dr Henderson. Dancing was commenced at the conclusion of euchre and kept up until the early hours of the morning. Great praise is due to the organisers for the efficient manner in which the arrangements were carried out. Messrs Camp, Peate, Groves, Hamby, Cox, Ansel!, Gifford, and Stewart (secretary) were the management committee and to their unceasing efforts the success of the evening is due. The hall was decorated in a most appropriate manner. Messrs J. Stewart, E. A. Cox and J. H. Ansell acted as M.C.'s. Otorohanga. Constable Fraser, who has been stationed here for about eight years, has just been promoted to the rank of sergeant, and takes his departure from Otorohanga in the near future. His many friends will be pleased to hear of his success, although very sorry that it necessitates his leaving the district, as during his tenure here he has proved himself a worthy citizen and a zealous officer. We see in the "Gazette," that the sale of Otorohanga township sections takes place on the 26th inst. and those of Te Kuiti on the day following. We notice that the average upset price of the Otorohanga sections is £1 higher than the Te Kuiti sec- j tions, which shows that the valuers evidently have a good opinion of the I future of this township. Advance Otorohanga! Mr H. E. Kerr, proprietor of Otorohanga House, is leaving here for Te Kuiti, to take over the Hotel Grand; j his many friends wish him every | success. Mr W. H. Clayton has taken i over Otorohanga flouse from Mr Kerr. \ Mangapeehi Cricket Club journeyed < to Otorohanga on Saturday to play the '■ return match against Otorohanga. The home team were successful in : winning by 12 runs. The principal 1 •scorers were: —Managpeehi, McCrack- i en 16, Kingham !), Hayson 5; Otoro- j hanga, Osmond LJ, Elliott 7, Burchell j 5. There was a large number of ! visitors present. Tea was dispensed j by the ladies during the afternoon, j and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The j Mangapeehi team left by the 3.15 ex- I press. The Otorohanga School Committee I held its final meeting on Saturday ; last, at which it was unanimously : decided to send the following letter : to the Board of Education, signed by ; all members of the committee: —Re Otorohanga School District: Sirs, — . Upon the eve of a new election, we, ; the undersigned members of the Otorohanga School District Committee desire to record our appreciation of the uniform courtesy and careful consideration shown by your Board in . dealing with the requirements of our district as a whole. It is true that every request has not been fulfilled, ; but we are convinced that so far as j the funds at the disposal of the Board j would admit we have received every i assistance that could reasonably be I expected in view of the large demands ; and ever increasing educational re- \ quirements of the King County. Will you be good enough to convey to the ', Board and all officers our thanks for i the cordial and friendly relations that j have always existed and have been maintained during the past year. —We have, etc.,---J. Forster, chairman; J. j D. Burnand (ex-chairman), R. Green, j M. Cowle, R. T. Rhodes, H. Clarke, ; L. Larsen, members.