MATIERE.
Own Correspondent. Possibly under the belief that "Providence assists those who help themselves," combined with a poor opinion of the future if left to Government administration, led to a meeting being convened at Otangiwai on April Ist, to consider a scheme mooted some time ago to metal the main MatiereMiroahuiao road to its junction with the Mangakahikatea read. If the date was rather suggestive the proceedings and unanimity of the settlers showed there was nothing foolish in their action, and a petition was got under way and signed in the room to enable the County Council to put in hand the work as soon as possible. Crs Sowry and Lyon attended by invitation, and the latter stated that the portion of the road in his riding would be run under the same loan, and the ratepayers interested were eager to see the matter on a workable footing. The speaker estimated that taking in to consideration the hypothecation of the thirds amounting to about £l2O annually for the purpose of interest on the loan, and also the expected Government subsidy that the remaining interest, raised by special rate, would not amount to more than a pound to thirty shililngs per hundred acres on an unimproved valuation, and this would continue during the currency of the thirds for a period of nine years. Cr Sowry also gave a great deal ol information, but professed utter ignorance of the burnirvg question of "where the thirds had gone," these same third 9 having the elusive quality of the "Cock Lane Ghost." The signing of a petition prepared by Mr Bicheno, and a vote of thanks to the Matiere councillor for attending concluded a very cordial meeting, and it is sincerely hoped that all minor considerations and jealousies will be dropped in view of the ultimate benefit, as at the present it cannot be doubted that the settlers are losing quite a third of their earning and spending power by lack of roading and other facilities. The Niho Niho sports were voted a huge success particularly the buck jumping which appeals to our youth who have grown a little beyond the ambition to own and ride "a spotted circus horse," though from all accounts an accident insurance policy added to the gate ticket would be an additional inducement to the public. I am told that one little girl became entangled with the reins of a "jumper," and [)rovid«d a thrill till fortunately extricated by the hurse's\strug gles, when she scudded for safety like a rabbit. One lady rather burdened with adiDose tissue made for safety with a stride and action which would not have disgraced a "marathon." The local dairy factory have just issued a circular letter to suppliers offering a straightout 9d per pound for butter fat irrespective of market fluctuations, and also an undertaking to pay not less tharr Jd a pound more than any factory within a radius of twenty miles of Matiere. The factory also undertakes to collect cream free from any quarter which will afford a sufficient supply to make a reasonable load. The circular further Referred to the cordial feeling existing between suppliers and the proprietary, and offered in all cases of doubt as to butter fat test to submit samples of milk from the test bottles to the Government tester, and pay out on the test obtained. They also issue a general invitation to suppliers to attend on testing days to watch proceedings. The proprietor will be in at the end of the season to interview suppliers with regard to the coming season's working. The pumicing of the main road proceeds very slowly, and a little patching is being done at the 13-mile peg. The metalling through the township is only partly done, and the general opinion seems to be that someone wants shaking up." Messrs Moore and Wills are lengthening their shop and are putting in plate glass fronts for the purpose of opening an ironmongery shop and a furniture show room. This firm have also a contract in hand to erect a dwelling for Mr W. Graham at the rear of their shop. Mr Gray seems to be exceedingly busy in his smithy and wheelwrights shop and is now engaged on another coach for Mr Thos. Moore. Some very creditable worK is now being turned out of each wheelwrighting establishment just now, and as the fnur-wheeler predominates the proverbial wheelwrights' windfalls attached to upkeep 01 that class of vehicle provides a large amount of repairs. Messrs Patterson and Owens, of Ohura, are now running a coach triweekly from Ongarue and there is also a large accession of horse traction on the main road, but with the present increased traffic and the deplorable neglect of the main road there is likely to be a complete blockage in winter, and we expect to see someone get a pretty fair smartening up for the waste of summer facilities for improvement. The patches about the 15 and 16-mile pegs are already very bad, and their condition in winter, judging by their present summer state will resemble that of the winter of 1908.
The sale here was a huge success as far aB cattle were concerned, but sheep were only in moderate demand. It seems to be generally recongised that this sale provides a first-class market for cattle and sellers and buyers travel long distances to the f?ame. Mr Phillips' new boarding house is now about complete, and the builders are engaged on a pair of offices one of which I hear is to bu occupied by the Bank of New Zealand. Rumour hath it that the banks owing to the tightness of money which is always liable to the above affection of the chest, have, in many cases, exercised the privilege of an uncle known as "putting the screw on." Ihe burns this year are conspicuous by their scarcity, and the majority I have seen aie very poor indeed; in fact, one is inclined to believe that grass seed and store stock will be fairly plentiful this winter.
Mr Raitt, of Whenuakura, met with a mishap a short while ago, when a portion of the road under formation brought down his own and the horses of his companions, the mixup resulting in Mr Kaitt being rather seriously knocked about, I am glad to hear that he is now somewhat better and hope to see him out shortly. Mr Gemmel is erecting a fair sized house on his land at the six-mile and I notice a number of settlers along the road building or preparingto do so.
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King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 456, 13 April 1912, Page 6
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1,097MATIERE. King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 456, 13 April 1912, Page 6
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