COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 385, 9 August 1911, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent,) MaHere. Brilliant weather here with a moderate amount of rain has resulted in a fair growth of feed for stock, ai d the verdant appearance of most pastures with the addition of few losses in stock combine to promise an early spring and good season. A few changes have recently taken place here. Among others, I note that Mr E. Baer has bought fifty acres of bush flat from Mr G. Phillips, at a price verging on twenty pounds per acre. I believe it is Mr Baer's intention to build at once and later supply the Matiere dairy factory. I also learn that Mr Tuke has leased from Mr Phillips with a purchasing clause the grazing portion of his farm lying on the southern side of the main road. A baker has also arrived to start business here, and the energetic Mr Phillips has also had an architect taking levels for a boarding house of 23 rooms, to be built opposite Brennan's store. I learn that the building is to be of a highly ornate and useful character.

Messrs Doar and Symonds' mill at the "sixteen-mile" is now in full swing, and is cutting a first-rate timber, and I learn that orders are "double-decked" for a long time ahead.

In dairying circles great strides have taken place since I last wrote you. Messrs Warren and Owens have both got their plants rigged up, and Mr G. Monk returns shortly to install a boiler plant for Mr W. H. Thompson. All the former have greatly increased their herds, and Mr J. H. Lyon is putting on about fifty, having procured a reilable man on the share system. We are all very regretful to hear that our popular manager, Mr Monk, has succumbed to the temptation of the diligent and has accepted a position with McEwan and Co. at a great advance in salary. While with us Mr Monk won golden opinions from all. both for his kindly nature and ready helpfulness as well as for the tact displayed in trying situations, for even here we have I am afraid, persons who rather doubt the efficacy of that useful little instrument : r-he hydrometer. The railway trial line has now reached the "eight mile." I learn that a good and workable grade has been found by rising steadily from Ongarue and crossing and recrossing the present road. We are eagerly awaiting the approval of the trial lines that formation work may. be started.

Mr Brash, proprietor of the local factory, came in and met the suppliers to-day, and after expressing himself as very pleased with the manner in which the farmers had, by cooperating with his own efforts, rendered the factory a payable concern, offered the choice of an enhanced figure for butter-fat for the coming year. The meeting was a most cordial one, and leads one to the conclusion that we must either import a few "Moa and Airy Company" "apples of discord," or have very happy relations for at least another season. Mr Brash stated he had been approached with a view to purchase of the concern by the settlers as a cooperative company, but the majority present did not favour the proposal, and Mr Brash expressed himself as satisfied with the present prospects and willing to run as before. After some discussion, the price of butterfat was fixed at per lb for the ensuing season, to start on the 14th September, and as long as practicable into the autumn. Mr Brash said that he recognised he must have a fair supply for the price and stated that with a greatly enhanced supply he could pay more, but with present supply and the risky state of the market, the suppliers thought that a little "sweet reasonableness" was a good policy, an in view of the absence of restrictions and the spice of trust in their loyalty to the concern, Mr Brash was treated to a hearty clap. Some few persons "nave suffered some Joss here owing to the presence of barren cattle in their herds, but the high price of fat stock has enabled them to quit their forward and fatcows at a fair figure. Something of a misconception seems to exist with regard to the advent of the local medico. The cable of acceptance was only received here on the 22nd June, and it is hardly likely that Dr Lumsden could wind up his affairs and bundle his wife and family aboard the first boat available. A letter received from Home on the Ist inst., states that no time would be lost, and the credentials and references by the same mail show that Dr Lumsden i 5? in the foremost rank of his profession.

Kiritehere -Moeatoa. Settlers in these parts are contemplating the erecting of a private telephone line to run from Marokopa heads to Moeator Post Office, a distance of about ten miles. It is expected that twelve or fourteen homesteads will connect. Telephones of the latest pattern will be installed. It is suggested to instal the terminus 'phone ?n the Settlers' Shed at Marokopa, and to have "ringers" fixed in the two local stores, so that local tradesmen may be quickly rung up arid communicated with when desired. The approximate cost of line, instruments, wire, insulators, posts, work of erection, etc., and other incidentals are being worked out. A euchre party was held in the Marokopa Hall on the 29th inst. Some of the impromptu five-minute speeches were interesting feature of the evening's amusement. Apples are selling at Id each at Marokopa. One of our little brown brothers has a corner in them at present, and he stores them away in a barred box nailed to the wall. This box looks for all tha world like a l uge bird cage filled with fruit. It is rumoured that Mr F. Templeman will give another dance at an early date.

Mr T. Johnson has been appointed I President of the Marokopa Debating j Society. Scene: somewhere along the West Coast. New arrival: "Where is the lavatory? Boy: "What?" New arrival: A place a felllah can wash himself?" Voice f rum within: "'IVII him to go around to the end of the house, to where the tank is; an:l teli him not to make the towel too wet, as j I'm coming out for a sluice pra- i gently.'' [ Lemon trees are bearing green , fruit, which require only a little more ; sunshine to ripen.