MATIERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 498, 7 September 1912, Page 5

MATIERE.

Own Correspondent,

The recent and very enjoyable fine weather has been followed by a driving rain, which will not have too good an effect on the young lambs or weak cattle. The local factory, 1 learn, opens on the 14th for the receipt of cream only. The price paid for butter fat is to be lOd delivered at the factory, an advance of IJd on last season's price. Mr E. Owens, of Otangiwai, has

i leased his farm to Mr Rogers., of Tatu, who intend to prosecute the cuw in- ; dustry with vigour. It is rumoured that another Otangiwai settler is on , the point of selling out also. ; Mr L. Kelly has erected a neat resi- ' dence on his farm near Pukerimu and Mr J. Harris, of the same locality has also timber stacked ready for the erection of a house on his recently acquired native section. Mr Thos. Agang, of Waitangata, has been suffering from rheumatism for some time, and is at present trying the curative effects of the Rotorua Spa. A number of buildings and dwellings of different classes are going up at the eleven mile peg, and along the route of the railway. It is stated that two hundred men are employed, and that the road to Okahukara Junction will be metalled and in fit state for general traffic by Christmas. For ordinary through journeys with a light vehicle it is expected the road will be open in a month's time. This road, when opened, wiil be a great boon to those going south, as they will save several miles, and also the negotiation of the nine mile hill Considerable delay seems to be taking place in opening up the Government block of land from the seven to the twelve mile on the main road. I hear there is likely to be keen competition for the sections when they are put to the ballot. A small block near Matiere fronting the main road from the 15 to 14 miles is also to be thrown open shortly. The quality of the land is fair, but broken, but if not in too small areas, will make average sheep farms. The post office site is finally' fixed and the office is to be erected on the flat corner between the Ohura and Te Kuiti road junction. The site is an admirable one for the purpose, being accessible to the whole district. Our next most crying need here is a baker. A good tradesman with a portable oven would do well. A large amount of bread is brought in and arrives rather battered and very stale when the consumer gets it finally. The school roll is steadily mounting up the present school being too small from health and other points of view, and classes are being held in the shelter shed. I regret to hear that Mr C. Manning, of Niho Niho, underwent a serious internal operation last week at the Waikato Hospital. "Brer Rabbit" has at last made his appearance on one or two spots near Matiere, but only an odd .one, for an advance guard have been seen so far, and it behoves every settler to gun the first he sees, for, notwithstanding the glamour thrown round the rabbit by "Uncle Remus," it would need a "Mark Tapley" to see anything "jolly" about a rabbit visitation