King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1912. BOROUGH REQUIREMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 462, 4 May 1912, Page 5

King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1912. BOROUGH REQUIREMENTS.

The beginning of another year of civic activity is a fitting opportunity for all to form an estimate of the work which is ahead of the citizens in order to promote the progress, and assure the comfort and prosperity of the town, as far as is possible, during the ensuing term. At the last meeting of the Borough Council, various speakers, in commenting upon the requirements of the place made it perfectly clear that a further loan would be necessary in order to satisfactorily complete the various schemes which have been inaugurated. It is t'neretoie imperative, in view of the opinions expressed that the various scehmes should be carefully considered, and action taken at the earliest possible moment in order that no hitch or unnecessary delay shall take place in carrying to completion the works which are in hand, and upon which depends tne advancement of the town on the best and most progressive lines. As has been truly remarked, Te Kuiti started from scratch, and in order to overtake an exceptionally severe handicap special efforts were necessary. These efforts have cheerfully been made, and the responsibilities attaching to the carrying out of the duties thrown upon them have been accepted with that spirit of optimism which characterises King Country communities. Much has been done —considerably more than is apparent to the eye of the casual visitor —and much is in process of accomplishment. However, it is apparent that there is ample work ahead in older to satisfactorily achieve that measure of permanency which is so necessary in the interests of a settled community. The loan proposals which were carried out by the first Council naturally provided for the installation of such

necessary requirements as water aupplv, drainage and roading, but as expansion has been taking place throughout the borough in the meantime, it is only natural to learn that additional finance will be necessary in to make full and adequate provision for the proper completion of the various schemes. The financial aspect of the question is of the first importance to the people, and the position will require to be carefully reviewed in the planning of any extensions. With respect to the completion of work already in hand there can be only one opinion. In order to obtain the proper benefit of the expenditure hitherto incurred it is beynod argument that completion must be attained. We have every confidence that the Council will satisfactorily discharge the duties with which it is invested, and that it will receive the loyal support of the ratepayers. The support would be all the more cheerfully accorded could the people accept the pronouncement of the Native Minister that the native land question was being satisfactorily settled. Admitted that the position with respect to the rural native lands is in a much more satisfactory position than it has ever been before, the fact remains that improvement can be made in the matter of native township lands. A significant feature of the question is that the value represented by the township lands is increasing enormously each year. The valuations in Te Kuiti,

Otorohanga and Taumarunui alone represent the equivalent of a vast area of rural land. When it is considered that

the difference in value between township and rural land has been created entirely by the enterprise of the European settlers, it will be seen that the demands of the townspeople for an improvement in conditions is deserving of every consideration.

Te Kuiti residents should bear in mind the meeting to-night for the purpose of forming a Debating Club. The meeting is to be held in the County Chambers at 7.30 o'clock and a good attendance is anticipated.

Jack Johnson has refused an offer of £6OOO sterling to meet Sam Langford in Australia under the management of Mr Hugh Mcintosh. Johnson reiterates his intention to retire from the ring after September. The first year of penny postage in Victoria resulted in a decrease in postal revenue in all the States except Victoria amounting to £46,002. In Victoria the revenue shows an increase of £50,240, making an increase for the Commonwealth of £4238.

An application for an increase in wages from the employees of the Te Kuiti Borough Council was before the Council meeting on Wednesday night. It was resolved to ascertain the rates paid by other similar local bodies and act accordingly.

The annual general meeting of the Te Kuiti branch of the New Zealand Farmers 7 Union will be held in the secretary's office on Monday afternoon, May 6th, at 4 o'clock. The business to be discussed is of a decidedly interesting and important nature, and a full muster of members is looked for.

The plans of the allotments to be offered by Mr J. Boddie at Te Kuiti are now to hand, and the sale of sections will be held at Mr Graham's auction mart on Saturday next. The allotments are conveniently situated and should be in good demand by those desirous of obtaining a property within easy distance of the town. Sir Wm. Hall-Jones (High Commissioner for New Zealand) has received a further £llOO for the relief of sufferers by the cual strike. This will probably be sufficient to meet the necessities of those . suffering from distress as a result of the strike. The majority of the districts are now in full work.

The following is the rainfall in Te Kuiti for the month of April, kindly supplied by Mr T. E. Foy:—April 7th .60 inches, 9th 1.01, 12th 01, 13th .02, 14th 1.21, 15th .01, 16th .07, 19th .03, 20th' 21, 21st .08, 22nd .15, 23rd 1.28, 24th, .38, 25th .42, 26th .38, 27th .45, 2Sth .09, 29th .22. 30th .49; total G. 89 inches on 19 day 5. The rainfall for April 1910 and 1911 respectively was—l.4s inches on eight days and 6.58 inches on 16 days. The estimated population of New Zealand on March 31st last (exclusive of Maoris and Cook Islanders) was 1,031,500. This is an inrease of 6094 since December 31st, made up as follows: —Excess or births over deaths 4559, excess of arrivals over depar tures 1535. The arrivals during March last numbered 3365, and the departures 4672. In March, 1911, there were 2874 arrivals and 481 departures.

An election to fill the vacancy in the Borough Council, caused by Mr E. H. Hardy's election to the Mayoral office, is to be held on May 10th. Messrs P. Floyd and Moatyn Jones are the candidates. A futher vacancy on the council has been caused by the resignation of Mr F. H. Sims, and nominations for the position of councillor will close on May 15th.

A Press Association message from Auckland states that Mrs Little, one of the two women taken suddenly ill at Takapuna on the 25th April., died at the hospital at midnight. Deceased and her sister, Mrs Angus Nicholson, had a sudden seizure after having some refreshment, and it was at first suggested the cause as ptomaine poisoning. The inquest on Mrs Nicholson, who died previously, disposed of this theory, the medical testimony attributing the illness in both cases to cerebral hemorrhage.

The opening of ths Pio Pio school on Thursday next will be a long remembered function by the children of the district. For several years the agitation for the erection of a permanent school building has continued, but owing to several causes the matter was delayed. The school was conducted for a time in the Maori hail, and when obliged to leave that refuge the teacher and scholars were provided with a marquee. Exciting times were experience on different occasions during stormy weather and the final scene was enacted early this week when the tent fell before a gale. Fortunately the school building is ready for occupation and the tenting days are over. One of the great features of the Waikato Winter Show Association's sixth annual exhibition which will be held in the Association's buildings, Ward street Hamilton, on Tuesday to Saturday, June 4th to Bth, will be the excellent display in the butter and cheese competitions, which will be drawn from factories throughout the Dominion. Entries having already closed the number of exhibitors constitutes an easy record. Entries for other sections close on May 9th

Attention is drawn to the replace advertisement appearing in this issue of Messrs Tiarks and Hayes, coaches for accountancy and legal examinations. The firm has a well-earned reputation for thoroughness in all its branches, and the success attained by pupils in the various legal and accountancy examinations is striking evidence of the correctness of its methods. Those desirous of being coached or put on the right road towards proficiency should not fail to make early application. A drawback at many country schools is the lack of paddocking for the horses of children who come a distance. This is felt acutely at Te Kuiti where there are no schools in the surrounding districts within many miles. The town school, therefore, has to serve for quite a large number of country childen who have to ride to and from school. A suggestion has been made that the Education Board be requested to lease a paddock for the purpose, and the school committee is making representations in the matI ter.

It is always gratifying to be able to chronicle any indication of progress in the district and the opening of the new public hall at Pio Pio which takes place on Thursday next, is a material manifestation of the progress which has been noticeable at Pio Pio for some considerable time. Ths ceremony is to be performed by Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., and the occasion is to be enlivened by the performance of hakas and pui dances by the Maoris. It is expected that, given fine weather, a large gathering will attend to witness the function.

An indication of the state of the roads is always obtainable in the Waitomo district from the restricting of the coach service to and from the Caves. The falling off in number of the travellers to the Caves is doubtless due to a certain extent to the advent of winter, but given good roads there is every probability that even in winter months there would be ample tourist tarffic to warrant the coach service. Under present conditions the coach service is chiefly run to carry the mails. There is nu doubt a considerable loss is sustained by the Government as a result of the prevailing conditions. A notice referring to the alteration of the coach service appears in another column.

The second social, held under the auspices of the local Druids' Lodge, was fairly well attended on Thursday evening. The floor had undergone a thorough preparation, and the music supplied by Messrs J. Hetet (piano) and McDonald (cornet) was highly appreciated. The supper was presided over by Bro. Simpson and Mrs Simpson and left nothing to b? desired. These socials are growing in popularity and as the season advances will assume the popularity that they enjoyed last season. Songs were given during the evening by Messrs K. Henry and R. Adams and were much appreciated. Bro. H. Lever discharged the duties of M.C. in a pleasing manner.

The death is announced by private cablegram of Mr 3 Catherine L. Herries, wife of Mr W. H. Herries, M.P. for Tauranga. For some time Mrs'Herries' health had been the cause of much anxiety to her friends, and Mr Herrie3 decided to take her to England for the benefit of the sea voyage. They left Wellington on March 21st in the lonic, arid Mrs Herries died on April 21st. She was a daughter of Mr E, F. Roche, late of Shaftesbury (eight miles from Te Aroha). and was married to Mr Herries in ISS9, when he had been farming in the district for about seven years. Mr Herries may now return to New Zealand immediately, instead of waiting to come back by the lonic, by which he originally intended to travel.

The position with regard to the threatened benzine famine at Auckland remains unaltered. During the last few days there has been a big run on stocks, and those who should be competent to form an accurate opinion state that a doubt exists a« to whether supplies will hold out until the arrival of the steamer Hohenfels, of 539 tons, from New York, via Melbourne and Sydney, about a fortnight hence. No other oil boats have yet been reported as leaving New York for New Zealand, and the run takes about 80 days. Auckland merchants attribute the cause of the delay of supplies to the freight war which has prevailed in the shipping circles of America. The extensive use of benzine nowadays for motor cars and boats, as well as for manufacturing machinery, renders such a shortage of serious moment to modern traffic. Although the smaller consumers report that they have to pay as high as 15s per case, the manager of a big oil firm told a Star representative that his company had not raised the price above normal. This is about lis 6d per cas.