TELEPHONE FACILITIES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 412, 8 November 1911, Page 4

TELEPHONE FACILITIES.

WithouL question the department which controls the postal and telegraphic services ef u country is of supreme importance, and more intimately affects the business and social life of the. people than any other. Of recent years the introduction of the telephone, and the rapidly increasing ufo of the instrument in all countries has proved of incii'cuable benefit in every respect. Not the least ipijtprlant in a growing and sparsely sot tied countrv is the House to which the telephone can be put by settlers. In numberless instances in New Zealand it means all the difference to the pioneer between absolute isolation, and easy communication with the outer world. Socially, in such instances, its benefits cannot be estimate!, while from a business aspect it spells greater success and infinitely less work in carrying on 1 tie daily work of either country or town. Thy importance of this service is fortunately weli recognised by tin l departmental beads in New Zealand, who are unremitting in their efforts to meet the requirements of bei h town and country. Too much prai-'c e-innot be accorded for the manner in which the needs of outlyin;: ifistrirts are catered for, and the liberal e \ ten.-don of facilities provided hy the new ! eiru'ations issued by the re;miMil wtll be widely welcomed. Oi c>i'*iil importance with mail com!ii!iiii>"!t ion is means of transit to the roil !er and Ok difference between the pianr.t r m which these facilities are

mad.e available to the people affords mat lor for general comment. To the heads of the peeia! department, a re11iie1 from the baeK blocks is rarely made in vain, while the most persistent elioris on the part, of settlers for reasonable ) equ ironient.s in the mat tor of roads meet, with tardy arid o*fi' ii old.y eartia! recognition. Possibly a pel tad explanation lies in the fact that the lYnsio Minister controls the f'oets! I Vpnrtment, and from eai ly ;r>soeiat ion e.na e-peeial knowledge, lends a r. ady end syinpatheMtc ear to requests open •vbioh hia judgment is miquesi i.anaf, and upon which tliero can be n > . ontiovers/, cither publicly or jir i va'. ely. While e\ (ending special eoinnieii'!slle-n toi the manner in

j wltii-b ili'' I 1 < ; );i r t I j ir ti V ?»(•(> t.H j ti:i> of ;:|i, we <•?:|tri':'!■! that. J ih« hope <li»l :it do i■ i: t:ii't date tho | panic hi- t \(rtuicd 1.0

The machinery for Te Kuiti Dairy Factory is now coming to hand, and is to be installed as soon as the contractors are ready with the building.

s The recently formed Sports Protection League has lost no t : me in organising its forces throughout the Dominion, and every candidate for Parliament is requested to answer certain questions bearing upon the interests of sport in general. As the League is in-the interests of sound and legitimase sport in all its branches and, what is perhaps of even greater importance to many candidates, embraces a very large membership, the replies to the questions are usually prompt and decisive.

The old King Country grievance concerning the concerning the liquor traffic in the dntrict seams to have become practically non-existent as far as Te Kuiti is concerned. The question put to Mr Jennings at nis recent meeting as to whether he would support a no-confidence motion against any Government that refused to grant local option to the Eo'ne Potae and place the district upon the same footing as other places in the Dominion apparently evoked little interest.

A reply from Mr Elliott to Mr White's last letter has unavoidably been held over until next; issue.

At Newcastle, N.S.W., on Saturday, A. A. Taylor, the Tasmanian sprinter, defeated Holway in two races —75 yards by half a yard in 7 1-5 sees., and 100 yards by a quarter of a yard in 9 2-ssecs. Holway declined to contest the 120 yards.

Mr V. A. Sproule, the Sydney agent of the Oceanic Steamship Company, declares that the company has no intention of abandoning the proposed renewal of the Sydney-San Francisco service, owing to ths decision of the Union Steamship Company to extend the Wellington-San Francisco service to Sydney. He knew some time ago, he says," that the Union Company was likely to take the step. It would no way affect his company, which,he stated definitely, would make its first sailing from San Francisco in May or at the latest in June next year.

The Australasian League football teem defeated Hull last Saturday by g6 points to 7. Francis scored a try Wnd converted three.

Trout are increasing greatly in numbers in the upper reaches of the Wanganui river. On the opening day of the fishing season it is estimated that there were 70 rods at work between Taumarunui and the Houseboat, nine alone accounting for over 100 fish.

At a meeting held on Saturday by the Otago branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, it was unanimously resolved, "That this meeting enters an emphatic protest against the Minister for Raliways for breach of faith in not raising the wages of lower paid men to nine shillings per day as foreshadowed by him when dealing with the Budget. The amount granted of 2|d per day to married men only is an insult and disgrace to ths Dominion."

In consequence of representations made to him by settlers on the Rangitoto block, Mr Jenning?, M'.P., telegraphed to the authorities at Wellington on road matter? He has now received the following reply from the Under-Secretary for Lands:—Rn your wire of 4th inst., concerning Rangitoto roads, and block money expenditure, I am asking the Under-Secre-tary for Public Works to sae that the construction of roads is pushed forward without delay.

In response to representations made by Mr Jennings, urging t he claims of the Mangapapa road for a substantial vote on the Estimates the following letter has been received from the Minister for Public Works: —I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of October 17th, in which you urge that provision should be made upon the Supplementary Estimates for Mangapapa road, which ji-the outlet for settlers at Otangiwai and leading out to Ongarue. In reply I have to state that the representations made by you in the matter have been carefully noted and will receive my earnest consideration when compiling the Supplementary Estimates.

On Saturday evening the ex-mem-bers of Te Kuiti Fire Brigade presented their secretary, Mr J. Erickson with a handsome pipe and tobacco pouch, both of which were suitably inscribed, as a recognition of his valuable services.

At a meeting of the Cabinet on Saturday last plans and specifications and authority to invite tenders were approved for Taumarunui police station, Tongaporutu - Mangaroa road £4OO, and Otorohanga-Ote wa road £3OO.

Ten thousand trout fly came along unexpectedly to Te Kuiti from tne Auckland Acclimatisation Society's hatcheries on Friday last Half shipment was liberated in_ the Mangackewa stream at Te Kuiti, and the remaining half in the Mokau river at Puketutu. It is intended to stock tho outback streams later with yearling fish.

Special services will be held by trie Bhhop of Auckland in Te Kuiti this week. On Thursday aiternoon he will consecrate the portion of the cemetery set apart for the Anglican Church, A drag will leave from the Church at 2.30 p.m. In the evening at the service a tablet in memory of Mr Melling, who was the first Lay Reader in Te Kuiti, will be unveiled. Also a branch of the Church of England Men's Society will be formed and mecnbers admitted, The service will by a social at which an address of welcome will be presented by the Church Wardens. All members of the Church of England and those interested in her work are invited to the service and social. At seven on Friday morning there will be a celebration of the Holy Communion. At Otorohanga the evening service will also be followed by a social, and on pplphration of the

Skating seems to have become a very fascinating pastiniu in Te Kuiti, and there is every prospect of it continuing throughout the summer months. The rink is being lined at present End fitted out with cane bottom chairs for seating accommodation. The floor has also been scrubbed and the dust nuisance exterminated. No doubt this will add greatly to the comfort of the public. Mr J. R. Graham announces the Saturday sale on account of an English firm of manufacturers of a lot of electro-plate. Mr Graham's instructions are to clear everything 1 . Goods on view on Friday. He will also auction fine English piano and sideboard.

It is stated that Mr Massey will deliver an address at Te Kuiti on or about November 23rd, and it is likely he will be followed by Sir Joseph Ward at the same centre.

In addition to the stock advertised to be sold by the Farmers' Auctioneering Company at Te Kuiti on Friday there will be offered 50 forward steers and cows, 30 grown bullocks and ]0 two-year steers from Marakopa. By advertisement Mr T. Grinter notifies the public of Te Kuiti and surrounding districts that he has opened an aerated water factory in Rora street, Te Kuiti. Mr Grinter guarantees promptness of despatch and cleanliness in manufacture, and hopes to merit a fair share of patronage. The following notice of motion, given by Cr Finlay, will be dealt with at next meeting of Te Kuiti Borough Council: —"That the land necessary to connect Rata street with the Mangaorino road be acquired under 'The Public Works Act.' "

His Worship the Mayor has given notice to move at the next meeting of Te Kuiti Borough Council that the resolution that all works be carried out by contract be rescinded. The railway traffic between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui continues to increase and the Department has found it necessary to put on an extra goods train between the two centres. This train leaves Te Kuiti for Taumarunui every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30 p.m., and on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday it leaves Taumarunui at 1.15 a.m.. arriving at Te Kuiti at 5.20 a.m. This timetable enables the train to connect at Te Kuiti with the 6.30 a.m. train leaving for Frankton and allow of goods being transhipped much more expeditiously than formerly. Situated at the foot of'a big rise in the line Te Kuiti station has always been a dumping ground for extra goods waggons, and the night service to Taumarunui is necessary in order to keep the yards clear for ordinary traffic.