MATIERE NOTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 578, 21 June 1913, Page 2

MATIERE NOTES.

Own Correspondent, The settlers as a whole have settled down to their usual winter occupations. Cows are turned out "at the back," and the milking profession, having divested themselves of the reminders of summer strenuousness, are inclined to luxuries, not the least being the social evening and later rising. Sheep in the frosty and dry spells look exceedingly well, and so far the mortality appears to be almost nil. Cattle, in common with outisde markets, appear to be a drug, With the exception of milch stock, and these appear to be higher than Usual. Building trades are brisk, all the tradesmen here seeming to be in Lancashire parlance "up to the neck i' wark " ' Some impatience is being manifested over the dilatory style in which railway and road work is being prosecuted by the Public Works Department. No doubt a reluctance to stir up more mud in winter has something to do with the delay, but much formation might be done and allowed to settle the formation through the Matiere township is a csae in point. This work could be put in hand at once, the formation would not be in use and could be allowed to settle till burn papa waß laid in summer. The style in which the metalling of the Oteatukura hill is being conducted reflects no credit on the persons in charge. The burnt papa laid down is of a chocolate instead of the standard brick-re i, showing clearly that it is not properly burnt. Men are engaged in carrying firewood several chains up hill on their shoulders instead of sledging the same. The firewood is then carted up hill to near the summit and there deposited by the roadside, and is again handled by carrying it on men's shoulders to the burning place itself. By the slightest forethought the same firewood (tawa) might have been cut above the papa burning faca and deposited by a minimum of labour lon the pit itself. Your correspondent makes no apology for bringing this matter under the notice of your readers, many of whom are disgusted eye-witnesses, and also suffer by the laxity, carelessnnss, and gross and wanton extravagance which has ob- ! tained herein the pa?t. The bald j truth is that while the workmen ! themselves are not blameable and do jas they are bidden the overseers are j evidently not conspicuous for a practical knowledge of the work. The local factory at the beginning of lasi season offered two prizes for the best graded cream through the season, giving points at each delivery I for flavour, temperature, cleanliness, I and skimmicg. The first and second i prizes were won by Mrs Gibson, of j Whenuahura, and Mr W. H. Thompson, of Matiere respectively. I regret to learn that Mr L. Bischeno, of Otanigwai school, has been Fomewhat unwell for some time, but if now getting about. A fair amount of sickness has kept the local medico very busily employed. Mrs Coventry, sen., uf Turoto road, died last week after a lone: illness. A fair amount of natural immigration has also employed those who follow the profession of "Sairey Gamp" —indeed, if every district is a3 prolific of births as this one we bid fair, in the words of a deputation speaker to Mr Massey at Otangiwai, to "knock the bottom out of the Government immigration scheme." An exuberance of spirits either natural or imported, haß called the attention of the police to this township, but whether the source of supply will be discovered r?ill doubtless cause some inquiry later. Mr Tom Moore's family coach, with which we had hoped to join the nucleus of a 'bus service when the town grew, has by some occult means found its way down hill into a swamp, and our hope are dashed again. The Whenuakura school, the desk 3 for which the Matiere committee made application, anticipating its closing, has still a kick or two left, and I learn the requisite number of children are now available to ensure its permanency. A fair number of sheep are coming into the district, but few cattle are I moving, with the exception of fats. j I learn that yet another denizen of : the Whenuuakura Vallev has decided that in this district of defective roads a double team is preferable. I wish him every success in what Mr Weller, sen., would call "'is wentur," and have every faith that the team will be a solid one though it may not lessen the rates. This township and district fared very well in the rcsnt land ballot, four sections falling to local applicants. By letter from Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., we learn that plans are in hand for the erection of the local post office. 01d"C.K.,"as he is popularly called, has won golden opinions lately for his energy and sterling work, and seems intent on diverting as much as possible of that public works half million in the direction of the Taumarunui electorate. The Ohura County Council put in a mild request for £39,000 of the same at last meeting. If they get the whole granted, it is safe to say that a new council will have to spend it, as the old one will have died from shock. It is exceedingly curious to the studious how various happenings affect people differently. One man on Mr Massey's visit got terribly mixed in his botany. He reached home looking, as a facetious friend observed, "as if he had shaved himself with a kitten," and despite the presence of many thorns of the British national emblem embedded in his scalp, said that "he fell into a geranium."