KING COUNTRY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 372, 26 November 1898, Page 4

KING COUNTRY.

Tblkoraph Extension.—At last a move is being made with the new Awakino line. The posts are now being laid by bullock teams from the mouth of the Awakino river towards Te Kuiti, and it is understood that the Maori contractors at this end also start work in a few days to complete their contract, started some months ago, so that in a very short time the second telegraphic Hue to the South should be an accomplished fact, arid Auckland it is expected will then be alwavs in telegraphic touch with the rest of the colony, and not liable to have it snapped by every storm. Roads.-About 50 men arc still at work on the Awakino-Te Kuiti Road, and if they are kept steadily employed this very necessary work should be out of hand this summer, and then there will be on this end only the piece between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti to make to complete a waggon road from Waikato to Taranaki. This road is, however, in a terribly bad state at present. As showing its condition, the first mob of Taranaki cattle of the season left Mokau numbering some 260, and under 200 were delivered in Waikato, and these only reached there after most careful and patient driving by Mr Limmer, the drover in charge. Lambing.-I hear that Mr J. W. Ellis has had a first-class increase on h s Puketiti property, having tailed 9S per cent, from about 25,000 ewes. Messrs Irvine and King have not been so fortunate, and .have had rather a poor increase. They have, however, sent away a lot of fat sheep, and have now another mob on the road. Ohtjea Bridge.—This bridge is nearing completion, but it had a very narrow escape from being swept away a few days ago. It was caught by a haavy flood in an unfinished state, and the builders had to be up all one night watching for timber ; but fortunately very little came down. No formation is being done on thio end of the Ohiua-Stratford Road, nor has there been since Inst January, Evidently the " Firebell crowd " in Auckland have not weight enough to move the powers in Wellington to go on with the road to Taranaki, much less the railway. Bush-felling. Messrs Irvine and King's 500 acre contract has been satisfactorily completed by Messrs Harsant, Williams and Connor. I hear it is proposed to burn early in December or January, and sow with turnips and sweeds alone as soon as burnt, and the grass seeds to be sown later in March. This is considered less risky than sowing both together early, as was done last year, and when at one time it seemed as if hundreds of acres would have to be sown over again. Messrs McNicol Bros', and A. McNicol have also had bush felled this season ; but I have not heard the areas, and Mr J. W. Ellis has had over 200 acres felled on his Ohura property, and vhere, I hear, his last autumn grass has done remarkably well. (Own Correspondent).