MAROKOPA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 546, 1 March 1913, Page 5

MAROKOPA.

Own Correspondent. AWAKINO COUNTY

The election for two candidates for the northern riding of the Awakino County, which is to b<> held on March 10th, is evoking a considerable amount of interest and ia much in contrast to that usually to be noticed when such contests take place. The nominations closa next Monday, and from good authority I have ascertained that there are four candidates offering, viz.: Messrs H. Thums, J. Pacterson, John Wouldo and E. C. Stanley. As far as I can gather the two former are the selected candidates of the Mangaohae and Marokopa districts, and that there ia every likelihood of a spirited contest. All the gentlemen offering their services are men with considerable ability and experience, and whoever in the end is elected is sure to fill office with credit.

After a considerable period of delay the Awakino County is being brought iiito operation, and the election which is to eventuate shortly is certain to open up many important features, especially administration and where it is to be administered from. At the present time the only possible places where the county could be worked from is either Awakino or Marokopa, and both places are situated at the extreme ends. Some are in favour of endeavouring to work the county from vVaikawau, but then there is no communication there, no mails, and no telephones, so that point would most decidedly be out of the question a present. There is certain xo be a struggle on the question by the northernites and southernites, and if anything the balance should be in favour of Marokopa a& the greatest number of settlers reside in the northern part. It really does not follow that because Awakino is the name of the county and that there is a township of the same name that the county should be administered from that point. In the northern part there is closer settlement and more settlers, and is a very good reason why headquarters should be at Marokopa. As far as I can understand it is the intention of northern settlers to claim Marokopa aB headquarters. METALLING SCHEMES.

The metalling schemes which are in the course of being carried out by the Waitomo County in the direction of this district, has long been a source of considerable comment by settlers. It is to be hoped that immediately atfer the election of councillors that those settlers who have seen the benefit of metalling elsewhere, will immediately set the machinery available in motion for the carrying out of metalling scheme. Settlers in the Kiritehere district will, I believe, be ready at the earliest possible opportunity to raise a special loan for the metalling nf their road in the direction of Mangaohae, to connect with the work comning to that place from Te Kuiti via the Arapae road.

From Marokopa via Mangapohue to Hangatiki is another route that settlers are sure to keep in their minds eye, as it is a road that will be us9d to a very large extent by the Marokopa river settlers as well as those from the Kinohaku district. There is little doubt but that they will avail themselves of the oppor tunity of going in for a comprehensive metalling scheme when the proper time arrives. The Marokopa river is the boundary between the Hamilton and New Flymouth road districts, and during the past few days we have had a visit from the resident engineers of both places, Mr C. Williams, Hamilton, and Mr G. T. Murray, New Plymouth. To those who are cognisant; of the state of the roads in the back country, the scheme of metalling three or four feet for a riding track, which has been inaugurated by Mr G. T. Murray, has much to commend it, and is being appreciated by settlers along the Marokopa Valley where over a mile of very bad road is to be done before the winter months. In the Kiritehere district a similar offer was made, and, in fact, the work was about to be carried out, when a petition was set in motion by settlers asking that the road be done eight feet wide. The department immediately conceded to the request with the result that Mr J. Wouldes is now carrying out the contract of metalling a little over twenty chains of the bad places. The settlers evidently know best what they want, but it seems to me to be a simple proposition as to whether during the winter months it would be better to be able to ride over a metalled mile of road or over twenty chains. It is not the policy of the department to metal those kind of roads, and the original proposition was intended as a relief during the long I weary winter months. SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Time is drawing nigh to the annual sports fixture to be held on March 14th, and from present indications there is every likelihood that the event will be a success. The committee ard secretary are working hard to assure success. Judging hy the number of young men who are to be seen daily going for a run there is certain to be large fields in the athletic events. li> 5b anticipated that as usual the Ladies' Bracelet, 100 yds, will bring forward a big field. An excellent dance is being arranged for in the public hall the same evening. Cricket has certainly gained a new lease of life in the district, and considerable interest is being enthused into the sport by followers of the game. On Friday night of last week a dance in aid of funds was held in the hall, and was well patronised, a fair margin of profit being netted by the club. A aeries of five matches are being played between the Awamarino and Marokopa clubs, and the position at present gives Marokopa two wins andAwamarino one. The match is to be played next week end is creating a good amount of interest, as if Awamarino 13 successful it will be two wins to the credit of each, and would mean a highly interesting contest for the final.