MATIERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 588, 26 July 1913, Page 2

MATIERE.

Own Correspondent

One might be pardoned just now if, mud-bound as we are. we considered the detonationa from the twelve-mile is something like the guns of a relieving column. It is certainly very gratifying to the majority of settlers here to see that (he efforts of "C.K." and the promises of Mr Massey and his party are bearing face value and the gangs now working in the Ohura Valley give promise of fruition to the deferred hopes of the settlers. In the face of the progressive and practical manner in which the present party are tackling the backblocks problem it ia, to say the least, peculiar that persons who supported the late Government, and were content ypar after year with specious or even vague promises, are calling indignation meetings to protest against the slow progress of the railway formation, and this in face of the fact that it is only twelve months since Mr Massey tackled the Hercullean task of providing backblocks access from a depleted exchequer. When we also see the late member of the district attending these meetings we are inclined to "smell a rodent" and ask whether they have not some political significance and also why the coveners of these meetings cannot be ingenious enough to call thpm "party rallies." It seems hardly the thing while old "C.K." is away on his peregrinations to see fur himself the hardships of those away back or is doing his duties in Wellington; to endeavour to make political capital in his absence, and in common justice to a hard "working member I would like to put on record the fact that though he is the first person to induce a Prime Minister to visit this settlement and that of Tangitu as well as places farther back, no credit has been given him, in fact by a section he has been slighted, and it is not to the credit of that party that they have taken their beating of last election very badly. I sincerely hope the common love of fair play will condemn the present tactics of a few which can only retard the progress and prove inimical to the best interests of the district.

The dairy industry is showing signs of throwing off its winter hibernation, and I learn that Mr Goodfellow. of Hamilton, visited here re cream supply. So far as I can learn no business resulted. Mr Tom Hunt convened a meeting of suppliers to the Matiere factory to discuss price of butter fat, etc, for the coming season, but I have not heard what conclusions were arrived at.

We are now having very heavy rain and rather cold winds, which will, no doubt, prove rather hard on weak stock. I believe that next ccurc day, August 2nd, has a fairly heavy list of civil cases, including a number of dairy factory and medical disputes.

Some interest is being evinced in the result of the tenders now being called by the Public Works Department for small contracts of railway formation from the eleven miles to Matiere. I hear that the specifications provide for substantial bondsmen and also limit the time for completion to twelve months. This iB very gratifying to settlers as it shows that there will be no delay as soon as the tunnels are pierced. It is stated that the tenderers for the large tunnel were fairly numerous; so far no result baa been made known. A number of settlers have had some mortality among cattle recently, one, in the dircetion of Otangiwai, is reported to have also suffered in a less degree. I notice a serviceable bridge has been erected near Mr Frewin's homestead to replace the old and dangerous structure which formerly did duty on the Waitangata road.

The track from the three mile to Otangiwai is in very bad order, and mobs of stock are being brought round by Matiere to avoid the same. The roads of the county, favoured by the frosty dry spell, were fairly good till a while ago, but the rain and traffic has had the effect of making them quite the old familiar mud streak we have always known them in winter.

The local agricultural society are about to fell bush and otherwise improve the reserve which is being veßted in that body and funds are to be borrowed for that purpose and also to pay off the society's present indebtedness. Mr R. Carrie was elected president for the ensuing term. The sawmill seem to be pretty busy just now, Messrs Phillips and Andrews' mill at the twelve-mile being largely kept going by Public Works requirements, and the sixteen-mile mill has augmented its power by a larger engine. The sanitary inspector condemned the conveniences at the Matiere school and they are now being altered. He might easily find scope for his energies in other parts of the district also.