KING COUNTRY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 268, 31 March 1898, Page 2

KING COUNTRY.

Wide Tires.—l hear from Mr Hurstbouse that it is proposed to at once gazette bye laws applying to all formed roads in the Kawhia aod Clifton counties, compelling all owners of vehicles to regulate the number of their teams by t v _e width of their tires, and those using four and five horses will require to use 4in. tires, unless for spring waggons. This is a step in the right direction, and will greatly facilitate keeping the roads in decent order. What a pity the Government did not enforce these bye-laws in the Waipa and Waikato counties years ago. It is sure to come sooner or later, and the longer it is left the harder the change will press oa the settlers in these two counties. All those who have travelled in the Southern counties can* not have failed to notice how satisfactory the use of the wide tires for heavy waggons has proved on the roads ; but it would take a brave man to face the storm that would arise if enforced by his action in the local councils.

Grass Seed Sowing.—February and March were anxious mouths for those who had sown their clearings early in January, but the last rain has decided in a most favourable manner the question as to whether the seed had perished or not from its long exposure. Mr Ellis started to sow over 800 acres bush on the Bth January, and the seed has lain exposed on the surface ever since till the last heavy rain came, and I he&r that it is now coming away very nicely. Messrs Irvine and King's block of a 1000 acres was sown a few days later, and this is also making a good start. In the Awakino district the burns were later and also the Eeeding, in fact many have not yet finished sowing. I hear a good many of the burn 3 were far from satisfactory. FENCING.—A large amount of fencing is being erected this autumn. Mossra Black arc erecting a ring fence rouud their property, and Mr John Elliot, of Mahoenui, is busy carting wire and erecting division fences. Messrs Irvine and King are erectiug some six miles, and M r Ellis adjoining about the same quantity. Land Sale.—lt is reported that Mr John Elliot has sold half of his property at Mahoenui to his neighbour, Mr John Old, for £3 per acre. This is certainly a big price for such an out-of-the-way property, but shows what the owners think of it. The property is quite unimproved. Mr Old intends to build shortly, aud will then take up his residence there with his family. He passed through Otorohanga last week with a mob of youug cattle that spoke well for Mahoenui grass. New Pcjnt.—The Government are building a good substantial punt for the ferry across the Mokau river at Mapiu. This has been much wanted, and will prevent the dangerous crossing at'the Wairere being used in flood time.— (Own Correspondent).