MATIERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 412, 8 November 1911, Page 7

MATIERE.

Own Correspondent After a spell of very wet weather we are now enjoying very fine anc! sunny days, which have an appreciable effect on the roads of the district. Cows are beginning to come up to the usual standard of milking, but sheep men are not going to buy many pianos or carpets this year, the lambing being a very poor percentage, and the wool in none too good a condition, but there can be no doubt these drawbacks are an aftermath of the recent drought. The contract for building the large private hotel opposite Brennan's store was secured by Messrs Dickson and Anderson, of Taihape, the price being about £I3OO.

The Matiere Public Hall commttee has finally decided to pull down the present structure, arid build a larger and more convenent erection. No doubt the old hall has done good service in the past, but is now out of date, and too small for the requirements of a rising district. The committee are to be congratulated, not only on the present satisfactory condition of their finances, but also on the fact of their " taking time by the forelock" in the erection of an up-to-date building. It is poposed to have all supper conveniences under cover, and the gallant young man who did fatigue duty in a mackintosh un a rainy night stoking up for the preparation of tea for the ladies will be saved from rheumatism and Rotorua.

Our bovine friends, the bullocks, are wending their way along our roads in very good condition after their winter's spell in remote shrubberies, whe r e county councils trouble not and trespass prosecutions do not come. A social to farewell Mr and Mrs Morpeth and Mr Thos. O'Brien was held at the Matiere Hall recently and was very largely attended, in fact the hall was so full as to only give standing room to a number. Mr Hunt, in a well-chosen and happy speech, presented a solid silver tea service to Mr and Mrs Morpeth, and a handsome travelling rug to Mr O'Brien, and took occasion to dwell on the solidarity and spirit of camaraderie which characterised the friendship of the early settlers who were to a large extent, by their isolation thrown upon each others ready willingness to oblige, and which created a community of interest not so apparent at the present day. We all wish Mr and Mrs Morpeth and Mr O'Brien the happiest results from their farming venture near Coromandel

The Matiere Tennis Club are now waking up after their winter's hibernation, and the court is being remodelled and laid down afresh. The Cricket Club is also shaking itself together for a strenuous season at the local "Lords." I notice Mr Luckman has purchased a large wheel tiring plant weighing nearly a ton and capable of shrinking tires in a les3 expensive and cumbersome manner than formerly. It would appear from the recent authorisation of the Te Koura junction for the railway that the Ongarue is to be cut out of being the junction after all. It seems rather a pity that the vacillation and delay of the Government should cause serious ios3 to persons who, if the work had been pushed on, and promises kept, would" have known years ago the certainty of the starting point. I think I am justified in saying that while settlers here are indifferent as to where the starting point is fixed, they are indignant that the Government in power should, by vagaries of the Minister of Public Works, bring serious loss or ruin to progressive electors.

Mr C. K. Wilson, the Reform candidate, visited Matiere on October 31st, anci gave an address in the Matiere Hall to a fairly large and appreciative audience. Mr Tom Hunt occupied the chair and bar some goodhumoured heckling, matters went along very smoothly, the general opjnion being that Mr Wilson put his case very clearly and forcibly, and his style of argument, devoid of all personal reference to his oppo nent, won him many friends, even Government supporters expressing themselves as agreeably surprised. Many expressed the opinion that the speech was the best political address ever delivered in the local hall.