COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 388, 19 August 1911, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

' (Own Correspondents). Kaeaea. The opening" ceremony in connection with the Kaeaea Hall, in the form of a social, took place on the evening of the Ilth inst., and proved so highly successful that it will long remain an unforgotten incident in the history of the district. Although the weather during the early part of the day was unfavourable to the best state of the roads and rendered travelling unpleasant, considerably more than a hundred i-esijents assembled from all parts widely surrounding our own locality, and a scene gay and fantastic was depicted on a spot which was but a few years since rested from the solitudes of Nature. The Management of the function was in the capable hands of a committee chielly comprised of the fair se>:, and an exceptional programme was provided to the appreciative gathering. Mr A. McHolme, acted as M.C., and discharged his duties in a manner highly efficient. The musical programme was a treat, and from the manner in which a number of items were rendered it is evident that vocal talent is not lacking in the district. Contributions to the programme were as follows: Quartette, "Ye Banks and Braes," Mesdames A. Brough and C. Kiddle and Misses M. and B. Simpson—encore; comic song, Mr C. Craige; duet, "Juunita," Mrs J. Hearne and Miss B. Simpson; recitation, Mr J. Hearne; comic song, Mr F. Maine —encored; recitation, "Rio Grande," Miss Gulson ; Song, "Kate O'Shane," Miss M. Simpson; song, Mr F. le Mon; duet, "Life's Dream is O'er," Mrs A. Brough and Mrs C. J. Riddle —encored; song, "Ellie Rhee," Miss Mary Simpson; song, "Sweet Genevieve," Mr H. Houghton—encored; song. Mr W. Malone encored; song, "Dorn" Mrs C. J. Riddle; song, "Sometimes Dear Heart," Mrs A. Brough. Mrs C. J. Riddle played accompaniments throughout. Dancing was kept up until daylight, when the gathering dispersed afte* the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." The new hall the erection of which ( marks the progress of the district has the unique distinction of being the only public hall along the fifty odd ! miles of road between Te Kuiti and j Mangaroa. The executive of the Hall Society were unfortunate in having : to contend with winter roads anJ other adverse circumstances in getting together their building material. They must now feel rewarded for their efforts by the public, appreciaton, as demonstrated by the gathering on Fri- : day night. A word of commendation is due to Messrs Reed and Cameron, j building contractors, of Aria, who in the very limited time allowed them, I and under unfavourable conditions j carried out the work of erection ; .n a ! manner that merits the highest an- j proval and proves them masters of i their craft. It is highly gratifying to settlers that such men are to be permanent in the district, and they have the good wishes of all for the success '> of their cabinet making business which they intend establishing at Aria j at an early date.

Matierc

The proverbial '"oldest inhabitant" can scarcely recall such a fine winter and spring as is being experienced at the present time; indeed we seem to be sampling those enjoyable "Halcyon days" of the ancient Greek. A few lambs are making their appearance, but lambing is not yet

general. A number of cows arc in milk th-oughout the district, but the majority of the herds will not be in for about another three weeks to a month —just in decent time fnr the factory opening day. By private information I learn that Mr E. Gilbert has been appointed manager of the Matiere factory. He is a married man, and conies with very high credentials indeed, and we hope the happy relations existing between the late manager and suppliers will be maintained.

Mr Kleine, our new baker, has. just got into his stride, and the increasing demand for "the staple" promises him a busy and lucrative trade. The boon of fresh bread is duly appreciated by the housewives of the diistrct. Mr Jebb, our sartorial artist, has found trade so brisk that he has now an asistant, and his "creations" move him no mean adept at his profesison. Mr Baer has just got his timber for building on the ground, and Mr Phillips has also been stacking timber on the site for his new private hotel, whose construction wiil absorb nearly sixty thousand feet of timber. Mr Ryan is also about to build a residence on a site fronting the main road on the Ongarue side of Matiere. I notice. Mr Morpeth has been going in largely for up to date store furnishings and brass mounted shop fittings thereby adding greatly to his facilities for business transaction.

Latest advice per English mail states that Dr Fred. Lumsden left London on the 20th July, and will arrive in Wellington on September sth. The doctor i-i twenty-eight years of age, is married and has one child, and apart from his brilliant qualifications is described as of winning personality. He is a first honours man in the diseases of women, and in surgery, which are the two chief requirements of a backbloeks medico, since it is the hardships of pioneer life which too often consign the patient heroines of the bush to an early grave, and the exigencies of sudden and appalling accidents demand a cool and steady skill for risky operations at short notice. The meeting of the Medical Association, held on the 12th inst,, was an entirely enthusiastic and unanimous one. The balance sheet presented by the secretary was passed, and considered eminently satisfactory. The v hon. secretary expressed the opinion that the association had passed its most stormy days, and owing to pressure of personal affairs asked lobe relieved of the secretaryship. Mr Fred. Snelling was appointed to the post of secretary at an honorarium arranged between himself and the Chairman, and a vote

' of thanks was accorded to Mr Lyon for i his efforts in tha prist. One donor I gave a clean receipt for £">o, which had been advanced for building the doctor's residence, and the Chairman announced that Mr G. Phillips had d"-L-ided to present the Association with nearly a similar amount, which lv;d also been advanced. Votes of thanks were ordered to be recorded on the minutes. The canvassers' reports were ' considered first, class, (hough not yet complete, and altogether "everything in the garden was lovely.'" It was decided in anwser to queries that where the dependants of a family relied for support—in the absence of a head of the family-—or a son. such son's subscription should cover those of the family under eighteen years of age; and also that persons working in the district should be entitled io medical benefits if the sum of one pound for one year was tendered. J!. is proposed to hold a working bee before the arrival of the doctor to -place a picket, fence around the house, ami U> plough and level the immediate surroundings. dates of a substantial and ornamental character are beine: given and a handsome, leigcr was presented to the Association by a donor whose blushes take his desirous of an anonvous obscurity. The Association is now duly registered, and we hope that any back-blocks folk will benefit by its existence.

Paraheka Valley.

For the past few weeks the weather has been perfect. The roads are in good order in the valley hereabouts, but I think the settlers would be glad of a shower now to make the grass come on a bit. as most people are pretty short of feed for the cattle. Your Kaeaea correspondent anticipates a good spring, but if I am any judge, I think we will have some rough weather in the coming months. The settlers are busy getting the bush down, and on all sides one can heat - the axes going and the big "drives" falling 1 Mr Geo. Parker, our local butcher, is away for a holiday. Residents will : be glad when "Old George" comes 1 back.

It is a pity that the settlers could not get a butter factory established in the valley for next season, as they only required another 100 cows to fulfil the stipulated requirement of oOil.

The young lambs are making their appearance in the Valley, and if the good weather does continue settlers should get a very satisfactory percentage.

Aria

Settlers are very pleased that the Rotopotaka-Totero loan has been successfully carried. It will be of great assistance to settlers, especially those engaged in the dairying industry, to have this road metalled. There are eight suppliers resident along this road who will be carting during the coming season the cream from 170 cows.

Settlers are hopeful that the work on the above road will be commenced at an early date.

Pio Pio

The annual meeting of shareholders of the Pio Pio Co-operative Dairy Factory will be held on September 2nd. The directors anticipate that they will have daring the forthcoming season, cream from 200 cows more than during last year.