OTOROHANGA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 716, 28 October 1914, Page 5

OTOROHANGA.

Own Correspondent. - It is understood that the yard accommodation at the Otorohanga railway station will shortly be increased by an extra loop-line being laid with siding. The work is to be commenced next month, and will involve the outlaying at a very considerable amount by tho Railway Department. When finished, this improvement will be an immediate benefit to ths business and farming community generally. ' Something like 1000 head of cattle were yarded at the Otorohanga saleygrdslast Thursday which constitutes a record. There was a good number of buyers present, and good prices were the result. Fat cattle brought up to £ll 10s per head. Otorohanga's quota to the Patriotic Fund has reached the very re° spectable amount of £236 Us 2d, which includes £64 16s 5d the nett proceeds of the Coin Tea and Concert got up by th-a ladies of the district soma weeks-age. With regard to tne latter amount there has been a certain amount of discussion as to which fund to forward it, but at a committee meeting of the ladies con-, cernsd in promoting the entertainment, on the motion of the secretary, Mrs Arrowsmitb, "it Was resolved to leave the money in the bank at present. Mr W. J. Worthington, ton. secretary of the;Otorohanga branch of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, informs us that he' has received' subscription lists from his League, for the relief of the heroic Belgians. Ha will be pleased :;o receive any donations for thia worthy object, and has lefs lists at several of the business establishments in the town. < It is to ba hoped that this list will be filled up m the same generous manes as Was our own Patriotic Fund. At the monthly meeting of the Otorohanga Chamber of Commerce, held last week, the question of forming a new County was again brought up, and it was resolved that a committee consisting of Messrs J. A. Ormsby, R. Green, W. J. Worihingtjn and F. Phillips be appointed to define boundaries and generally further the movement the committee to report at nest meeting of the Chamber. Messrs GreeVand Colebrook, £Ltd., have bought out Mr F. Hull's business at Otewa, and are going to build an up-to-data store on a section they have there at an early date. They intend carrying on the business in Mr Bull's prsmisas until the new store ia > erected.

The contractor, Mr S. A. Cook, has made- good progress with the erection of the Presbyterian Hall at Otorohanga, and the building -13 nearing completion. The sitting accommodation will consist of 100 chairs. The official opening will take place on Monday evening- next, after which ther« will bs a service of song, . the following artistes taking part:—Mrs Parry, eoprano; Mrs Cowan, . contralto; Mr Ffddsric, tenor; Mr D. Price Owssr;, bass; trios, Meisrs Frederic, Parker and Owen. There/will be a collection in ei:2 of the organ fund. There was a general exodus from Otorohanga on" Labour Day for Te Awaajutu. The town hand accompanied, the crowd of holidaymakera enlivening the train journey en route with selections. They also vfsited the asistsd the Te Awamutul band on the' sports ground in the afternoon in a very creditable manner. Some twenty natives from, the district left Otorohanga on Monday morning for the camp at Avondale to to jo'n the Maori Expeditionary Force. A large number of Europeans and Maoris assembled at the station to bid them farewell. -Mr John Ormßby addressed the men and gave them some good advice. One of their number replied in Maori and English. Cr Benner also spoke and expressed the wish of the residents to see them all back safe and sound after the war, when they 'could depend on getting a hearty reception. Some photos were taken of the contingent, and loud cheers were given w'hhen the train moved off. Mr Hari Hemara was instrumental in getting the local squad together. Mr E.' Martin, of Te Kuiti, de a meeting of ratepayers on the subject-of rating on the unimproved values last night. At the conclusion of the address, which was listened to with great attention, a resoution, moved by Mr W. 3. Wortb.in.gton, in favour of the adoption of the system at Otorohanga, was carried, unanimous] v. A poll on the subject is to ba taken on Friday. Mr Martin was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.