COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 377, 12 July 1911, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

(Own Correspondents). Kiritehere-Moeatoa. In the event of the Government not putting up the Marokopa-Mairoa telepnone line, it has been proposed that the settlers along the route take it over, and with the promise of the Premier, made a year or so ago, that he would assist settlers in the matter of putting up rural telephone lines,and run the whole concern themselves. Mary, however, refuse to touch a private line, because a Government one has been promised, and they do not see the necessity for letting the Government shuffle out of its promise.

Mr John Woulds has ordered a milking plant. Several settlors in the Kiritehere Valley are making preparations to supply the Marokopa factory. It is time that something was done in the mattter of cutting overhanging scrub along the Mangakokopu road. A traveller riding along becomes wet through from contact with and drippings from overhanging scrub. This is the Marokopa - Managohoe mail route, and settlers are expecting substantial improvements to be done to it this season. Coal and ether minerals have been found in this district at various times. It is rumoured that the Kairimu sawmill has been closed down for the winter. A new boardinghouse has been opened at Marokopa.

Matiere. In last notes I stated that the Northern Ohura Medical Association had decided to offer additional inducement to a doctor in Scotland with whom they were negotiating through an agent. A cable received on 22nd ult. states that the medico in question, Dr Fred. Lumsden, has acceped the terms cabled, and will leave for New Zealand shortly. Holding the degrees of M.B. and Ch.B., and graduating at St. Andrew's University, the ductor has secured a number of honours in his classes, and his testimonials are firstrate ones. The thanks of the community throughout the district are due to Mr J. H. Edmondon, of Silverdale, Lancashire, who has acted in the capacity of agent in England for the Association from pure good nature, and an earnest desire to relieve the medical necessities of the district where he laboured as home missionary for ten months. The advertising at Home, .with-the resultant queries and correspondence, have proved no light task but all has been done with such hearty goodwill as to call forth many expressions of approbation at the recent meetings of the Association. We are hoping that the present winter will be the last in which we will suffer from bad arterial roads —-if the Government carry forward the progressive road and railway policy they have mapped out. I learn that the Public Works Department will start as soon as possible to improve the main road for their convenience and the transport of plant and stores. If a road similar to that feeding the works on the northern end of the Main Trunk line is made, Ohura people will have a better road than any they have known in their district before. Indeed the roads along the Main Trunk route provided a contrast: That at the southern end being badly kept and overtaxed, while the northern end was uniformly good and well preserved. As Mr McKenzie was engineer on the northern end, we may naturally expect that he will strive to keep an equally good thoroughfare along the Ongarue-Stratford line. Conversing in the train with an intelligent native connected with a Hawke'a Bay paper, but who had resided recently at Lake Rotoaira, beneath Mt. Tongario, I was informed that the semi-active crater of Te Maire was causing some alarm by its activity together with earth tremors in the vicinity. The natives also assert that taniwhas bearing the appearance of white horses have been seen on the bay lying beneath Mt. Pihanga, which, together with the alleged visitations of white pigeons showing no fear of man, have caused the superstitious to recall that similar signs preceded the burst up of Tarawera twenty-four year 3 ago. I merely mention these superstitions for what they may be worth, as having no knowledge of the occult, 1 do not care to hazard any opinion on the same.

Mangapaehi. Some very heavy rain has fallen here during the last couple of days and nights, the local stream having risen eight feet on Monday night. During Monday last mill work had to be suspended on account of the rain, Mr F. Mayne, who has been an energetic Secretary to the local Football Club during this season, left this district last week, to take over a boardinghouse in Aria. Thp members of the Club subscribed towards a handsome present, which was presented to Mr Mayne as a small token of the esteem in which he is held by the Club Mr. Irvine, in making the presentation, expressed on behalf of the members the keen regret which was felt by them at Mr Mayne's departure, and wished him every success in the future. Mr B. W. Hayson has been elected hon. secretary to the Club for the balance of the season.

Mairoa. On Friday last the bachelors of the district gave a social. The function was held in the school room. There was a crowded gathering from all parts of the district. The music was supplied by Messrs Daly, Andresen and Lindsay. Vocal items were contributed by Miss Smith, Msssrs Harwood, Daly and Pratt. The committee who successfully managed matters comprised Messrs Mitchell, Larsen and Dewsnap.

Kio Kio. A meeting of the Kio Kio branch of the N Z. Farmers Union was held on Saturday, at which were present: Messrs A. J. Ross (in the chair), Budge, Wylie, Storey, Cooper, W. M. Ross, J. Onion, Ellis, Henderson, Rankin, Walter Wylie and the Secretary. Mr Budge, who represented the branch a; the provincial conference, delivered an address on the work done on that occasion, and a vote of thanks was passed expressing appreciation of his services. The Secretary reported a visit by the County Engineer as a result of which several road works were to be put in hand immediately. Messrs Jonsen and Sutton were elected members of the branch. It was decided that steps be taken to increase the circulation of the "Farmers' Union Advocate."