COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 364, 27 May 1911, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(Own Corresponents) Matiere.

The main topic, of conversation henhas been the coming of the railway and its start at Ongarue. For years the settlers have been agitating and petitioning for this consummation of their hones, and it is a gratifying fact that at last wo are to see a vigourous prosecution of the work this coming summer. As to quite how much this railway will mean to the settlers of the Ohura valley, the visitor to the district could have no adequate conception, as he has never experienced the hardships inseparable from life in a back-blocks where metal is scarce and a progressive roading policy a rare thing with the Government in power. The district most benefited for a time will, of eouse, be the upper portion where the completed rail will just touch, though of course, all parts of the route, will be vastly improved as construction advances. I hear that considerable speculation is rife in anticipation of the proposed early opening up of the. country adjoining Ongarue, and that the sections which are to be opened up from the three to the seven-mile pegs are to be put upon the market, as all preliminaries except that of lithography and publishing of the plans are complete. The sections range from three to six hundred acres; a mora sensible partition than the ridiculously small areas allotted in former ballots.

A consignment of easy chairs for the use of the local County Cuncil, and an immense table costing, with freight, something like fifty pounds, have arrived at Ongarue, and we poor deluded ratepayers are beginning to wonder what has become of the economic spirit pervading the promoters of the County at its inception. Last year's balance sheet showed that it took nine-tenths of the total income to administer the remaining tenth, and the proceedings so far—what with proposed county saleyards, and different species of wire-pulling —have filled us with a profound disgust. The latest attempt to rescind the heavy traffic by-laws after advertising the same shows only too clearly that personal interest and not the welfare of settlers is predominant. When bullocks were allowed to ply upon the roads in winter, only one firm of storekeepers benefited thereby, and Hour in Matiere cost £1 per hundredweight. It seems evident that in the selection of a chairman the two factions in the council were actuated not so much by ability or firmness as by the plas;;ic qualities which each hoped to turn lo profitable account. Certainly Momus seems to exert an influence with Selene on those meetings held on "Wednesday nearest full moon."

A social tendered to Mr and Mrs Joseph Symonds by friends took place at Matiere Public Hall on the 23rd inst., and was well attended by settlers from surrounding parts. The proceedings were of a very social and enjoyable character, and ended with cheers for Mr and Mrs Symonds and the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and the expressions of hearty "bon voyage" to the recipients on their voyage to Queensland, together with hopes of a good holiday and safe leturn. As instancing the need for a fully formed road to Te Kjiiti, I was informed by Mr Gray that a vehicle built to the order of a Pio Pio resident would have to be taken to Ongarue, entrained to Te Kuiti, and taken thence to its destination. Te Kuiti residents should join Matiere to press that this connection should be opened. Heavy frosts and misty mornings have been the order of the day here, but we can stand this weather better than rain.

In your report re the road to Matiere Cemetery, brought before the Minister for Public Works by Mr Lyon, it should have been stated the Minister promised to favourably consider the same after it had been placed before the Minister for Lands, the latter of which Mr Jennings kindly consented to do, ♦

Paemako

A long looked Cor event came off here on Friday night, 19th ins., in the school, and the building proved , all too small to hold those who came j along, but as the entertainment was for the school children, patrons did not mind having to be placed in for the time being. Visitors were present from Pio Pio, Mairoa and Aria. A waltzing competition was one of the chief features of the evening. There were twelve entries, and after some good waltzing by the entrants, the judges—Messrs Slines, Anderson and Sincock—awarded the to Mr James Kilmartin and Misd E. Herbert, of Aria road. After the competition, things were kept going merrily until morning was well advanced. Mr Slines as M.C., was keenly solicitous of everyone's enjoyment. Songs were rendered by Messrs Sincock and Lindsay, also Miss darken favoured the company with two bright songs and the sailor's hornpipe and the Irish jig. Mr Funke, the school teacher, worked hard to bring the function to a successful issue. The Paemako ladies generally are to be thanked for providing refreshments —ample and choice —for those attending. Music was supplied by Messrs A. Asplin, M. Andreson, Kilmartin, Hearan, Lindsay and Houghton. Miss Chureher and her brother, who have been on a holiday visit to friends and relatives in the uouth, returned this week.

Mr and Mrs F. Kendall have returned to Faemako from their bridal tofcr.