AWAKINO COUNTY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 547, 5 March 1913, Page 5

AWAKINO COUNTY.

FIRST ELECTION OP COUNCILLORS. The bringing into operation of the Counties Act in the County of Awakino establishes another backblock local body in the King Country, and should be the means of hastening progress in the district. Of all the districts in which settlement hag been promoted in this portion of the Dominion the County of Awakino has the most right to be termed backblocks. This is rather striking when it is remembered that Awakino is probably the oldest settled portion of the King Country. Many years ago settlers moved northwards from Taranaki, and carved out the first European homes in the Awakino and Mahoenui districts, while at Marokopa and adjoining districts settlers have been established for well over a deacde. The new county suffers from the fact that though it possesses a long stretch of coastline it has no really good harbour at which it can establish a base. It is also far removed from -the track of the railway and must depend entirely for transit I facilities upon the roads, and such harbours as exist along a somewhat inhospitable line. Portions of the county will, of course be served by the Main Trunk railway, and the ihief thoroughfares leading from the railway through the Waitomo County zowards the coast, and it is probable nuch of the stock trade of the district will always be conducted in that manler. Originally it waß considered prosable that Awakino would be absorbed jy the adjoining counties, portion ]f the southern section going into "ilifton and the northern section being livided between Kawhia and Waitomo. 3op?ever, the settlers have decided to let up a separate local government, jrobably being influenced by the fact hat new backblock counties are to lave first call on the Government in he matter of loans for road works. Dhis is undoubtedly a highly importint factor, and in the interests of )rogress it is to be sincerely hoped all advantage will be taken of the ipportunity to have the most importint roads metalled. There is much pork ahead for th« new council by the idoption of a vigorous roading policy. The county has been divided into hree ridings. In the case of the iouthern and Central ridings there is o be no contest, the setlters in each a"d having agreed upon the nominaion of two candidates. For the South riding Messrs W. S. Kelly and ames Old have been elected, while or the Central riding Messrs R. Joddy and C. Leech have been reurned. In the North riding, which ncludes the Marokopa district, four lominations have been received to fill he two vacancies. Messrs J. Patteron, E. C. Stanley, H. H. Tboms, and ohn Wouldes are the nominees, and an lection is to take place on March Oth.

Mr James B. Carr, of Mokau, has been appointed returning officer.