THE KAWHIA RAILWAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 654, 25 March 1914, Page 4

THE KAWHIA RAILWAY.

The progress of a district is indicated in no uncertain manner by the roading schemes promoted in various localities by the settlers. In this district on both sides of the railway the chief arteries of communication are being metalled, and conditions are thus established which will enable the settlers to largely increase the volume of production from their holdings. In order to reach a market the

produce of the farm has be carried on the railway, and there is every in dication that the carrying capacity of the Main Trunk line v. ill in a few years ba taxed to the utuoat. The settlera in and around K'twhia have agitated constantly for a branch railway between their port ai d the Main trunk line. That the scheme has been seriously considered by the authorities H indicated by the fact that trial surveys have been put through, and the ultimate construction of the line is regarded as a certainty. In this connection there are many interests to consider and possible differences to cement, but until definite action is taken to establish a complete understanding on the part of thone who are direcily and indirectly affected little will be accomplished. Settlement between the railway and the coaHt has been proceeding for several years and there is every likelihood of rapid expansion in this direction in the near future. In the interests of p6rmaent Bettlement it is time some definite plan was adopted throughout the district with a view to having the proposed railway established at no distant date. it should not be a mutter of great difficulty to get the district to affirm a general policy on the BUbject and elect to ei-operata in the matter. Without such co-opera-tion there will be little hope of ttiß authorities taking action and an affair )f auch importance should not be allowed to sink into oblivion. A suggestion has been made to the effect that a conference should be held in the'near future with a view to determining a policy which would meet with generul support and which would have the effect of inspiring the authorities to definite action. It ia to be hoped such action will be taken and th* t nothing will be left urdone to effect a complete understanding on the subject. Sufficient data has already been gathered to place heforo a conference, and only the necessary organisation is required to promote a gathering upon which the advancement of the district may largely depend. Deapit.! the monetary stringency, Canadian trade totalled one thousand million dollars the year ended February 28th—the greatest total in Canadian history. An ascent wa i to have been made by Mr Scotland, the aviator, at the Athletic Park, Wellington on Saturday and about 2<)(>u people gathered there. The wind, however, was too boisterous to permit of an attempt being made to fly. The wind reached a velocity of 30 miles an hour at times.

The committoo in charge of the forthcoming Roman Catholic Bazaar are making complete arraneemeiita for an attractive unci intorustii-g ditiplay. The bazaar will tuku place on Wednesday an I Thursday, April 2!)Lh and 30th. and on Friday, May Ist. Complete datuiltt will fan announced later.

On the I'.Lhl inst. thn New Zealand Dairy An«oic»tioii, Limited, puid out io its suppliers 1M;5,:157 7s tid. This covered 9M. -18'Ulw of butter fat supplied during th« month of l'Vbruury The amount of butferfat received dur ing the corresponding month of last year was Hs'.),7M'[lon, thus tha increase for the month was 101,7r>l$lbs.

The Methodist;! of 'IV Kuiti will be holding a sale of work in the Town Hall on Tuesday n«xt, March 31. The attractions conyiH of plain end fancy goods, doll, handkerchief, produce and sundry other stalls. An attractive Christmas true haa been arranged, aid with competitions and oiher attractions, an enjoyable afternoon ami evening should be spent. The proceeds will be devoted to the Methodidt Church building fund. In delivering judgment in a case brought by the Public Health Department against the proprietor of a To Kuiti boarding house yesterday, his Worßhip. Mr E. Kawuon, S.M .stated that it was his intention to asa'nt the health'officials against filth, and expressed this aniontshment, at the carelessness of people, whu should know bettor, at tho stat<- of' tiome back premises,'and staled that audi conditions were nothing nhort of a crime against decency.

A function wad hold in the To Kuiti Town Hall last night, the occasion being the presentation of a handsome travelling rug and portmanteau to Mr George Bate man, who has been on the stuff of the Chronicle for the past three years. Mr P. Langstone proaided, and there were about ninety people present. The usual toast* were honoured, and the guest o! the evening was loaded with good wiahep for the future. Mt Bateinan is leaving to take up a position on the Lyttelton Times, and proceeds to Welington by to-night's express en route for Chrintehurch.

Residents) oi 't'e Kuiti would be well advised to call at the shop next tho EmproHM Pictures and get full information of the courses taught by the International Correspondence Schools. To have trained thousands who would havo remained in the rut all their liven to become self-reliant, thinking men; to have awakened the atudy habit and the desire for knowledge when before no such desire existed- to have induced men of practically no education whatever to save their spare cash in order to purchase a technical and mental training is a valuable work, the importance of Which to the individual and to the nation cannot he over-estimated. Manv student* have joined this during the last few days, and as the display is only temporary, intending students should lose no time in calling.

Mr C. K. Wilson, member for the district, accompanied hy Mrs Wilson, is leaving Whangamomona to-day on a trip through the Ohura. In addition to Ohura the districts of Tatu, Tokirima and Aukopae will be visited, and Mr and Mrs Wilson expect to arrive at Taumarunui on Tuesday.

Speaking :it Pio Pio on the use of public meetings in connection with the promotion of loan proposals for roading schemes Mr Seholes, County chairman, paid meetings were useful in bringing the people together for the purpose of agreeing among themselves concerning any Bcheme. However, as far ni the local body was concerned a resolution passed by a public meeting was of no weight. There was a statutory method of carrying out negotiations in respect to loan proposals, and the signed consent form was the only thing upon which the local body could act He advised the settlers to get the signatures to the consent form for their proposal, and the Council would carry out their mißhes according to the methodß provided by the legislature. The benefits of the metalling carried out un ler the Mairoa special loan are now beginning to be felt, and the relief from mud during the coming winter is bound to be appreciated by the settlers. The manner in which travelling can be undertaken is also an important factor. On Saturday a party consisting of Messrs A. Seholes, County chairman, H. A. Ellison, District Valuer, F. Carr Rollett, Weekly News' Special Commissioner, and a Chronicle representative lourneyed from Te Kuiti to Mr R. Weres' place in the Mangaohae Valley, via the Ngapaenga road, in about three hours. The party then proceeded via Waitanguru and the Pungarehu road to Pio Pio, accom pliahing thai journey in about two hours. Excellent time was made on the metalled portion of the road, but the soft road wa? rough and made slow travelling. When the further metalling schemes which are being promoted in the districts mentoned are completed there will be a great chain of metalled roads linking up a splendid district. It is not often that Maoris proceed again it each other for slander, but a case has he<m determined at Wanganui and is the first of its kind tried by u magistrate under the recent legislation. A Maori woman named Matihi claimed £SO damages from her uncle, Rewutu, because the latter said "Matihi iB a thief." It was argued by defending counsel that, if the words were uttered, they did not bear the same meaning us if used uy a European to a European, and were not defamatory. Hauparoa Hiroti, licensed native interpreter, gave evidence as to native customs, and particularly with regard to the custom of natives to take upon themselves and their relations blame for any wrong committed whilst visiting other tribes. Under cross-examination he admitted that with the march of Euro poan civilisation and ideas the old customs seldom prevailed, more especially among the younger natives. The magistrate, in giving judgment, said the circumstances were peculiar. Defenndant had lost his purse, but there w;n no reason why plaintiff should b" blamed rather than others The pluintiir had suffered because of the slander, and must have judg men?. The proceedings were not brought for money-making purposes, and be would award nominal damages. Judgment was entered up for .£lO damages, with costs.