COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 359, 10 May 1911, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

Kiritehere - Moeatoa. During the past week or two the weather has been fine and dry, the atmosphere in the day being bright and clear, with just a suspicion of frost for the last few hours of the evening. Pigeon-shooting has begun, and the birds may be seen morning and evening wending their flight from the hills down to the pine trees on the lower country. These pine trees will soon be eaten out, and the wily pigeon—all that is left of it —will return to the hills to feed on the Mirau once more. The other morning I rode suddenly up to a stout Native lying on the broad of his back by the roadside. I wondered at the thusneas of this undignified position, for he was a man of dignity and substance, till I saw the barrel of a pea-rifle pointed at a pigeon comfortably perched at the top of a tall pine tree 150 feet above the ground. My friend the Native fired seven shots, but was not successful. "My gol'y," said he, "I got the good eye for to miss; kapai you try." I tried. When we rode away the pigeon was still sitting among the branches of that stately pine. It is rumoured that the ''mergers'' are getting up a petition re county matters. The old theme—"going into Kawhia." Even the tuis, which are by some credited with changing their tune once a month, sing to this air. The "Bungatown Poet" is engaged in writing a parody of it, which, when finished, will become, so he says, the most popular air in the three counties, Kawhia included. The present score, he states, contains plenty of spirit, but requires a little "soul," which he is infusing. The mat of the Marokopa Cricket Club is at present lying out on the grass in front of the pitch. A club that permits such a thing ought to be taken to task. Matting is expensive, too expensive to be spoiled. It is rumoured that Mrs Saringhausen intends to give a dance within the next two weeks. Mr Peter Ross was the census enumerator for this district. It is time something was done to improve the landing accommodation at Marokopa. The school site would make a good landing, though the schoolmaster informed me the water of the river often rises, when the sea is rough, with waves seven to eight feet high, which would dash a vessel against the landing so as to do it severe damage. The present wharf site, he pointed out, though harder to get at, is far safer, because it is sheltered by a great natural curve in the river. Local coastal skippers will say their say in the matter before any sticks are driven. A patch or two of sand grass planted in Marokopa township is thriving excellently. It was sown some time ago by Mr Jack Pillison, who protected it with a stout wire fence, the poles of which are useful to tie one's horse to. Consignments of stores are constantly dropping into our little port. "Cockatoos" from up the valley clatter down the sun-baked road, and across the hot iron-sand on which Marokopa is built, till they reach the boarding house or store. Outside they tie up their dejected-looking, though hardy, ponies, and then the building of their choice, grumbling in their moustaches, as "cockies" will, while they refresh themselves. It is reported at Marokopa that Messrs Gordon and Vicary, of the Marokopa river, are getting up a rifle club. The shooting ground proposed is up the river. An effort was made last year to start such a club, but it ended in failure, because a suitable site could not be found near the township. It was impossible, so they said last year, to fire off a high-power rifle without sending a bullet across someone's kumara-patch. Our local gardeners, who are still simple and primitive in their methods of raising crops of kurnaras, maize, melons, and tobacco, objected to having a range near their little dwellings; so for the time the matter was let drop. Under the able direction of Messrs Gordon and Vicary, as to the choice of a suitable range, the club should prove successful. It is reported that a dance will be held at Marokopa shortly: Many thanks are due to Messrs P. C. Rose and J. Smith, who are ever to the fore in the promotion of dances, spurts, etc. The heavy rains of late have filled the water tanks of Marokopa. Mr Wyanyard, surveyor, is still at Kiritehere. There are an excessive number of bachelors in these parts. As a result of this sorry condition of affairs, one can gather a good deal of humour at social functions, by noting the progress of that ancient pastime of striving for and granting of favours.