MATIERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 480, 6 July 1912, Page 5

MATIERE.

Own Correspondent. One supposes that the weather here has only been a replica of that endured in other parts of tha district, but it certainly has been in current vernacular a "snorter"; indeed, I do not remember for years such bleak, driving and continuous rains. Reports from southern King Country and the Manawatu indicate that the weather conditions are general; sub-Arctic in the former and heavy floods in the latter district apear to be a settled state of affairs.

The survey party engaged in picking up the old line and in deviations, etc., are now camped on Mr Thompson's farm at Matiere. The lin* has been considerably shortened and the distance from Ohakukura junction to Matiere is less than ten miles or. the present survey, or a little more than half of the original one from Ongarue. This is very acceptable news to Matiere residents, as it promises to give them railway facilities and benefits at a much earlier date. I am sorry to learn that Mr Heath, sen., has under medical advice, gone outside to enter the Hamilton hospital, but we trust that he will soon return among those, who from his probity and sterling; qualities, hold him in highest esteem. A painful accident happened to Mrs Geisler, of Otangiwai, recently, when she slipped and fell on a sharp projection, breaking a rib and hurting herself very badly. Under the care of Dr Lumsden she is now recovering.

Our local photographer, Mr Talbut, is alao under medical care, but ia now much better. The main road to Ongarue ia in a deplorable state just now, the coaches requiring eight horsea to pull them through. . The doughty Tom Moore states his intention "to get through if he pulls the wheels off." At present passengers lose a fair amount of epidermis and Tom has a standing threat of a fine of five shillings to anyone who bumps the top' of the coach with their head, but what will happen when "the wheels come off" i 3 hard to imagine. I am inclined to think it would somewhat resemble the ride of an old German lady in the Nelson province whose thrifty spouse purchased a new buggy, but took off the top gear and springs, and replaced them with a piano case. When the old chap got elated in town and whipped up his ponies homeward bound the protests of his wife were something to remember. Just now a working bee is in progress to lay a plank road alongside the main road to the school that the children may get to school dry. This deserves a word of explanation, a grant of £SOO was put on the last Estimates to improve the road between the 12-mile and Matiere. A piece of road lying in the railway reserve through Matiere township was one of the bad places selected and in spite of the protests of the local council and settlers, pumice was carted five miles at a cost of ninfe phillings per yard when papa rock could have been burned less than half a mile away for eight shillings a yard. Joined to this fact clay was excavated, and placed on the road under and on top of the fascines, and the pumice mixed with the same, 'the present result being as delightful a porride as ever met the nye or disgusted the settlers. Cr Lyon wrote to the Minister of Public Works drawing attention to these, and other flagrant cases of wasted money, with the result that Mr Farkert, inspecting engineer, was sent and report. He was met by Mr Lyon, who pointed out the specific instances mentioned in his charges and has since received the follownig reply over the signature of Mr Shortt, assistant under-secretary of Public Works Department:—"From the evidence obtained there was some ground for complaint, and as a result of the investigation it has decided to make a change in the administration of the Te Kuiti sub-district."

Mr W. Graham's neat cottage in the townshiu is now approaching completion, and the bush on the township reserve is beginning to fall Mr Harris, the well-known axeman, secured this contract at £2 10s per acre. The bush is exceedingly heavy and will make a decided clearance when down. The firm of Phillips, Smith and Andrew's are now operating the bush at the 12-mile and are installing a log hauler, and otherwise enlarging the plant. I believe it is their intention to export timber outside the district when things are in irfull swing. } When we got the Arcadia Hotel at Matiere, we began to think that things were growing like Wellington, but I notice the district also possesses a Hotel Cecil at the 12-mile.

Our friend Mr Holland, of dog-tax fame, is starting a boarding establishment at the Matiere end of the railway tunnel, where in the weary rock gouger may refresh himself. A flutter occurred in our local dove cote recently when charges of illicit sales of liquor, etc,, were brought against local residents. I believe the cases are adjourned and therefore subjuflice. Mr Brash, proprietor of the Matiere butter factory, met the suppliers last month to consider proposals affecting the coming season. He amended an offer of ninepence per pound with a guarantee to pay a farthing,more than any other factory within a radius of twenty miles, to one of a minimum of 9d with the same undertaking to I give a farthing more than any other factory as before. This was accepted by the suppliers and a number stated their intention of milking greater number this season. Mr Thos. Hunt is putting in machinery and milking sixty cows and I learn that there will be new suppliers, all round. Mr Ashwell, bootmaker, has started here and is occupying the same shop as Mr Harrison, saddler. There is surely a scope here for a speculative builder, as ' shops and houses are unobtainable at present. Surely Te Kuiti can spare us qne or two enterprising builders, who are looking for a rapid fortune. The ad-

vent of the railway is certainly making itself felt here, and with its enormous back country the town should always be a centre of business, particularly as a great deal of the country to be tapped is ploughable and capable of culture and improvement.

I note with seme satisfaction that the genial Charley Ryan has decided to test his luck again for the seat on the Taranaki Land Board, and wish him every success. Mr Ryan stood as a leaseholder last time, but subsequent events and particularly a couple in the marriage and birth column lead me to believe that Charlie will in future keep his leasehold proclivities on the chain, if he doesn't go as far as freehold, and the law of entail. Anyhow, we are all going to splash a penny stamp and give him a turn here.