MAROKOPA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 491, 14 August 1912, Page 3

MAROKOPA.

Own Correspondent. WHARF AND SHED. Mr John Wouldes, of Kiritehere, has received a communication from the Hon F. M. B. Fisher, Minister of Marine, in reply to representations mads to him regarding a wharf and shed. The matter has been discussed by settlers for some considerable time, and the reply received is generally viewed with satisfaction. It is to the effect that the Government is prepared to lend the settlers the sum of £4OO, carrying a £ for £ subsidy, provided five trustees are elected and that levy o£ Is Gd per ton by made on all ingoing and outgoing cargo in order to cover interest, etc. Mr Woulde3 is busily engaged in getting trustees to act. So far Mr >l. Bell and himself have been selected to represent the Kiritehere district. An endeavour is being made to have two settlers appointed from the Marokopa Valley, and one from the township. The cost of the shed and wharf is estimated at over £BOO, and when completed it should be a very substantial structure. The accommodation is much needed, and will be of considerable benefit to the district. Mr Wouldes is to be complimented for the persistent manner in which he has conducted the agitation, and it must no 7 be very satisfactory to him to know that his labours are on the eve of bearing fruit. MAIL SERVICES.

Notices are now out regarding the new mail contracts which come into force in beginning of 1913. Several alterations are being offered as regards the Te Kuiti-Managohae-Maro-kopa service. Tenders are called for twice weekly to Marokopa, and twice week 1 j from Te Kuiti to Mangaohae, and twice weekly from Mangaohae to Marokopa. Although it is satisfactory to note that the Postal Department recognise the necessity of establishing a bi-weekly service between Te Kuiti and his important district, it wou'd do well not to countenance the breaking of the contract at Mangaohae. It should bo the one direct service, and that is what the settlers,want. If there are to be two services on the route it will mpan that Marokopa settlers will be unable to anwser their correspondence promptly, which would be possible with a through A new mail service is to be established between Waitomo Caves and Awamarino (Mr C. Haylock's). This will be a very useful service as far as it goes, but settlers residing in the Maroknpa Valley consider it i 3 not sufficient, and should be continued on as far as the Heads. The idea seems reasonable; as there is a fair amount of settlement between Mr Haylock's and Marokopa. In fact it is the moat thickly populated part along the whole route. With the Te Kuiti service twice weekly, and the WaitomoAwamarino service weekly, the district would be very well served for the time being, although it will be but a short time until the latter service will have to be converted into abi weekly service. The progress of the district has been iiothing short of astonishing during the past few years, and these proposed improvements in the mail service will not be before they are wanted. DAIRYING. The time is fast drawing nigh when the dairying season will once more be with us. In fact, there are many indications of its approach. Farmers are at present busily engaged in getting their houses in order, and the erection of new sheds and yards, as well as the improving of the ones used last year are being proceeded with apace. The Marokopa Dairy Company are busily carrying out enlargements, and impovements in readiness for next season's working. A large number of new suppliers are expected during the coming season, and the directors are very confident as regards the prospects for next season. The report and balance-sheet of last season's workings will be presented to the shareholders at the annual meeting to be held at the factory on August 20th. SCARCITY OF MEN.

Large areas of bush are being felled throughout the district despite the fact that last summer was so wet, preventing burns in almost every case. All the available men are employed, and several settlers have yet contracts to let if they can get the men to do the work. There is plenty of room for men who know how to use the axe.