OTOROHANGA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 565, 7 May 1913, Page 5

OTOROHANGA.

Own Correspondent. NEW LANDS OPENING. , This township still continues to pro- , gress slightly, although there is no ap- \ parent pushing of the place by the residents, which possibly accounts for its very good name as a solid town. [ Outsiders have been quick to recognise i the good quality of the bulk of the and, and speculators and bona fide settlers are rap : dly acquiring as much land as possible. Surveyors are at work opening up and roading an area of about 25,000 acres of good land beyond Mangaoronga, and during the past few days the Crown have purchased a large area from the natives, and had paid out in cash over £20,000. All these areas are undulating, and of good quality, ploughable land. RAILWAY AND POSTAL EXPANSION. The railway traffic is increasing every month, and the Postal Department is kept going at high speed. Several private subscribers have been added to the telephone exchange. The suburbs of Rangiatea, Otewa, and Tahaia have already been linked up by bureau with Mangaoronga, and Maihiihi to follow. The linemen are now at work erecting two party wires to Kio Kio. The telephone plug board has had to be replaced by one double the size, and even now is apparently going to b9 too small within a few weeks. The settlers beyond Honikiwi to Awaroa are moving in the matter of direct telephonic communication with Otorohanga. The delegates from the Chamber of Commerce (Messrs F. Whtye, president, and J. Benner, vice-president) report a very satisfactory interview with the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Masssy), at Te Kuiti, practically all they asked for being granted. In the matter of getting the Government subsidy on rates collected, the Premier is to consult his law officers, and if necessary, to introduce legislation to provide for this subsidy. The application for a fresh loan of £205 being ' equal to 10 per cent, of the previous loan received was granted immediately by the Premier. The deputation also applied to have four acres of ' Crown land just outside the town ' boundary vested as an endowment for ' the town. The Premier promised to ' have the land so vested. j TOWN COUNCIL. ]

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Otorohanga Town Council was held in the clerk's office on Monday afternoon. There were present— Messrs C Elliott (chairman), W. Vicary, J. Ormsby, W. Benner, and J. P. Gardiner.

In spite of a general demand for a night soil service, there were again several applications for exemption on various grounds, and remissions.—The clerk was instructed tu reply in accor dance with the by-laws, and that boarding houses must have a weekly service.

The council have decided to meet Crs Scholes and Gregg, of the Waitomo County Council on Wednesday afternoon (to-day) to arrange about the site for a public pound. An application to paint and signwrite a board for the pound was received, but as the matter of a pound is not sufficiently advanced, the letter was received.

An application was also received for the lighting of the township, and the letter was received.

Building permits of an approximate value of £I6OO for dwellings were granted to Messrs Phillips, Cook, Troupe and Gardiner. The statement of accounts showed the Loan account to have a credit of £92 8s 9d, and the General account a debit of £3l 6s 9d. OTOROHANGA FOOTBALL CLUB. The annual meeting of the Otorohanga Football Club was held in the Commercial Hotel on Saturday. There was a good attendance. The secretary (Mr W. J. Worthington) presented his report and balance-sheet. The report showed that although Otorohanga had loßt the banner they were good runners-up. They had lost three matches, including two by default, and won five outright, thus putting them on a level with Te Kuiti club. The final was played off at Otorohanga, and won by Te Kuiti. The balance-sheet showed that the club had donated £6 6s to the Maniapoto Union, and £5 towards improving the Otorohanga domain, and providing a. football ground (which ground has now been ploughed preparatory to being laid down in grass). There is a credit balance of about £9.

Votes of thanks were accorded the secretary and outgoing officers. It was decided to form a club again this year, and feopes were entertained of having a junior team also. The seniors are expected to bs able to fully uphold the honours of the past. Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., was elected patron and Mr Vicary president, and the usual keen supporters who always come to light, had the honour of vicepresident conferred upon them. The club realised the worth of their former secretary (Mr W. J- Worthington), and his efforts to escape the luties again this year were futile, although he is to be relieved to a certain extent by the appointment of Mr C. Seymour as assistant secretary. J The management committee are Mer.srs Ferguson, Holden, Keeley, Lithgow, captain, vice-captain and secretary. The captain and vice captain are to b9 elected at the first ma'ch. The delegates to the Union are Messrs Eveleigh, H. Clarke and the secretary, who is also the nominee on the management committee. The opening match of the season is to take place in Turner's paddock on Saturday next, between teams chosen by D. Turner and P. Holden. The ÜBual annual dinner will be held after the match. THE SOCCER GAME. An Association footbal club has also been formp<l by Mr Pope, who has every expectation of iwj clubs without encroaching upon the membership of the favourite Rugby players.