MATIERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 404, 14 October 1911, Page 3

MATIERE.

Own Correspondent,

Fine growing weather is now being enjoyed here, there being sunny days alternating with showers, but still the average cockato finds a peg whereon to hang a growl. One discontented "puller of teats" I wot of, after a couple of days of line sun, drew woeful deductions from the fact of a late occurance of a drought at Home to prophesy the same thing here. Anyhow, we are still living and the running of milk to the local factory is proceeding briskly. One sign of the times is that the old "koneke," or sledge, is being discarded for the newer mode of a gaily painted milk cart.

I notice Mr John Gray has been turning out a lot of vehicles, lately, including some hand carts for the local council. He is also building a fine coach from hardwood timbers for Mr Tom Moore, the well-known Jehu who so ably has, with the assistance of "Baldy," kept up a regular service to and from Ongarue during the past winter.

The condition of Mr Moore's horses at the present time does him great credit considering the arduous strain of the road. lam informed that the horses have been fed on a ration of soaked wheat and barley in addition to their ordinary fare.

I notice that timber and house blocks are being carted on to the site of the new private hotel, to be erected opposite Mr Brennan's store. From the plans should be easily the finest in the district, consisting of twenty-four rooms on a ground floor and fitted with an office, commercial room, etc.

Mr Baers' house is now completed and a small house is being erected for Mr E. Ryan opposite Mr Lyford's residence.

A ball in aid of the Matiere Hall extension fund was held last week. I believe it is the intention of the committee to build up to their front pegs. The hall and piano, except for slight current debts, are unincumbered, thanks to the generosity of the settlers and the able secretaryship of Mr Le Cocq. The cemetery committee are on the warpath for subscriptions to transform the wilderness for which they are trustees, and expect to expend from £BO to £IOO on road and improvements to the groud. Cows are at a premium just now, many cows not having come into profit early enough for the majority of farmers. The same thing is noticeable in sheep, the lambing being unduly protraced.

Mr McKenzie, engineer of the Stratford-Ongarue railway, paid a visit here during the week and inspected possible sites for a post office, and it is very possible the same will be near the railway station in a central position in the town. Mr McKenzie left for Taumarunui and traverses the new deviation of the line on foot. This particular route is likely to be adopted, I believe, from all accounts, aa it saves six miles from the Main Trunk to the 12-mile, and is of uniform iy better grade from Te Koura to the Ohura river basin.