OHURA VALLEY.

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

OHURA VALLEY.

Own Correspondent

The Ohura county boundary has been extended on the south by inclusion of the Koiro and Opatu blocks which the Whangamomona county has agreed to transfer to the Ohura. The settlers in the Maraekowhai block on the western watershed of the Ohura river, are petitioning the Whangamomona county to be transferred to the Ohura on the grounds that their outlet is, and will be, through the Ohura county. So far the Whangamomona county council fail to see the force of the argument and wish the Ohura river to be the Whanagamomona western boundary. The Opatu block has been lately settled on the renewable lease tenure. So far, owing to the absence of roads very little bush felling has been done, but this season a fair area is being felled. Advantage i=» being taken of the flooded river to raft, timber from the sawmill at Aorangi to the various sections along the river. The Tokirima road along the river to the junction with the Wanganui is being formed into a six-foot track, and the Kaikara, which crosses the Ohura river at the northern boundary of the Koiro block, is being formed. Both theso roads are only available during dry weather, as there are no bridges across the Ohura. The Opatu, Koiro and Oparu roads will eventually connect this block with the Otuiti and Kurura road leading to Taumarunui. The Koiro block is native land, and is being settled. Very good progress is being mads, large areas of the block being under grass and promising well. With reasonable access this district promises to be one of the best in the Ohura.

Eating in the Ohura seems to be a matter upon which the various councillors have very misty ideas as to the amount they require. With the intention of the Government clearly stated, that they intend to abolish road grants in favour of a subsidy on the amount of rates collected, it would be reasonable to levy a fair rate to obtain the advantage of the subsidy and obtain the highest possible amount for roading. Evidently old methods die hard, and time is required to instill progressive movements in the minds of the settlers and their representatives. The present ratable value of the county and the amount of rates are:—Kurura riding, £41,821, rate Id, £174; Tatu, £50,7,89 —£247; Mangaroa, £13,869 —• £7l; Mangakara, £34,105 —'£142; Matiere, £25,362—£105; Otangiwai £60,827 —£3l6; Waitevvhena £31,165 —£161; Niho Niho £20,574 £24,228—£125; total rates, £1469. The present position of the various ridings is as followsTuroto, credit £142, thirds general £2 Niho Niho,

£11; Matiere, debit Mokau-Opjrau thirds £5, debtor general £5; Mangaroa, debit general £37; Waite- , whena, credit £340 thirds, general 7s; Otangiwai, credit £SO thirds, general I 16s; Mangakara, credit £275, general 8s; Tatu, credit £l9B, thirds, debit general £2. The metalling of the main Ohura road wa3 the subject of an animated debate at a lata meeting of the Ohura County Council. Cr Lyon brought the matter forward, that the Minister of Public Works be asked to formulate some metalling'scheme, whereby the Government, by proportionate subsidy or by wholly metalling the main Ongarue-Tatu road throughout its length, and obviate the present waste in maintenance. Cr Lyon explained that he had consulted with the inspecting engineer, who had expressed himself as surprised that the council had not approached the Government to arrange a scheme for metalling the road by a loan. The road was now costing the Government £ISOO per year to repair without counting special grants for metalling and pumicing. Under these circumstances a subsidy of 4 to 1 or even higher would be a profitable proposition for the Government. Therefore it was advisable for the council to approach the Minister for Public Works and it was reasonable to expect that some arrangement could be made satisfactory to both. At present a few chains were metalled or pumiced each year, which disappeared before fresh work was,undertaken, only a complete scheme would be of any permanent benefit to the district. The voting was—For, Crs Risk, Kelly, Sandison and Lyon against, Sowry, Currie, Hayward. Goldfinch, Loveday. Preparations for the dairying season is being undertaken by the local facorties. A new manager's residence has been erected at the Ohura Dairy Co., Matiere, and Mr Gilbert is busy overhauling his machinery for the coming work. A fair increase in supply is expected. At Niho Niho the Co operative Co. have purchased a five-horse team and waggon to cart their butter to Ongarue and Mr Hall has rearranged his plant to enable him to install an additional cream vat. A six-power boiler has been added to the plant to enable the additional cream to be pasteurised while the churn and freezer is at work. Every preparation has been made to handle the cream at a minimum of cost, and Mr Hali is confident that he can now compete with any factory in the open, market.