OHURA NEWS ITEMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 78, 2 December 1913, Page 7

OHURA NEWS ITEMS.

The following paragraphs are taken from the latest issue of the OJiura Advocate:— 1

; A general complaint in the district just now: “Too much grass everywhere.” Mr H. Chapman has commenced his contract for the surface drainage of the Ohura township. The weather is very unsettled—extremes of heat and cold, heavy rain and thunderstorms being the order : of the day. At a meeting of the committee of the Ohura Medical Association on Thursday night it was decided to sue •for the recovery of all outstandng accounts. The directors of the Ohura Saleyards Co., Ltd., endeavoured to ar- , range a stock salt at Ohura for the middle of December, but unfortunately the auctioneering companies were linkable to agree to this, and the next sale has been fixed for 13th January. , It is with sad regret we have to record the serious accident which be-, (: fel Housebreaker A. J. Bell. While 1 on a courting expedition bis horse became fractious, which‘caused bis compulsory retirement from the saddle and his sudden impact with the ground, causing his leg to bend uncomfortably. We sincerely hope his leg will soon be in perfect order and ' enable him to resume his duties. : Cr. Sandison has been re-elected , chairman of the County Council. His was the only nomination.

The County Council resolved on the motion of Cr. Sandison: That the Council strongly urges upon the member for the district to oppose any clause in the Railway Amendment Bill whereby local authorities have to pay the cost of bells, gates and other appliances required by Railway Department for all future level crossings, subways or overhead bridges,, as the expense would ho altogether too great for the majority of local bodies.Carried. Mr A. E. Robinson, lion. sec. of the To Tvuiti Chamber of Commerce, wrote to the County Council urging that the time is ripe for backhlock counties, at least, to take co-operative action in approaching responsible .Ministers with a view to having arterial roads taken over by the Government. —To be informed that this council is in favor

0 C (| u . haekhlock counties taking action at once. kk'oin the County Overseer’s report: Plans are almost complete for four contracts on- the Ohura Road between IMr H. Geange’s and the top of tiie Pa para ta. Saddle. 1 would recommend that the plans for the two contracts on the. Paparata Saddle be forwarded to the Department for approval The road grader has arrived in Ongaruc,and I have appointed a ma n to work same. Weather permitting, a start will ho made to grade the On'game streets to-morrow. —There are umnerous complaints about stock straying on the County roads, and with the permission oi your Council i u ill appoint a man who will act as ganger, also dog tax collector, and will assist me when required as chain-man. To cope with the above I hope yoiu Council will agree with my recommendation. —1 have purchased a cart, two horses and harness, cost of same. 1 cart, Mr Grey, Matiere, £139; I horse, Mr Riddell, £4O; 1 horse, Mr H. Kaspar, £45 ; harness, Mr Martin. I would like to mention that the liar ! ness was £2 cheaper and equally a'good as X could have procured in Auckland.

The committee of the Cricket Cln have decided to present a hat to tli playgr making the highest hattin average for this season, including ban dicap. Each player will have to co pete in not less than live innings to qualify. A trophy will also he given for the best bowling average, fo which it will require not less than ten wickets to qualify. An advertisement calls for tender. 1 for the erection of a Presbyteriqy Church at Ohura.. Mr John Austin writes as follows ‘‘Probably a few lines by the first pioneer settler to take up land will he . I interest to some of your readers. lin [first block to be,opened up for settle [meat in the Ohura under the Crow! Lands Ballot in .1902 was drawn i j New Plymouth. I was successful in drawing 323 acres. At that time 1 was living at Piriaka. Then, getting a telegram from the Commissioner tc I that effect, I immediately loaded niy [ bullock waggon with sawn timber, tools, and provisions. Taking three men with me we left for tin Ohura, arriving at my section three days after. 1 at once proceeded to put xip a residence to live in. That finished, we started to fall hush, and by the end of December, 1902, had 26 acres down, that being the first 'hush felled under the Crown Lands Ballot of 1902, The year the Crown Land was thrown open was 1902, for in 1903 Messrs Esdaile, Beresford; Stevenson. Drake, McKay, Lpyeday,,Currie Bros, and others arrived. By that time 1 |iad iiny place in grass, .therefore I claim to! he the first and oldest settler on Crown Lands id-the Ohuro...