TEAWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2010, 26 May 1885, Page 2

TEAWAMUTU.

WVL \L VhKTIMJ OK K\rKPA\ EKS. Thk annual meeting of the ratepayers ot the Kangiaohia Highway District \vm held lv tho Itangiaohia school-room on Saturday. There were only fifteen present. The annual statement of account* was laid before the meeting, from which it appeaied that the total receipts amounted to £376 2s Id, and the e\|Kinditure to £370 2s Id. After some dissuasion, of tho nature of \\ Inch I am ignorant as I was not present until the meeting was nearly over, the following Te-.olution was proposed by Mr Teasdalc, beconded by Mi Lewis and carried, "That the meeting do not accept any telegrams through Mr Sloane or Mr (J. S. Cooper with legard to the late election. ' It was proposed by Mr J. Cunningham, seconded by Mr Walters, and Carried. "That tho books be handed over to the new boaid." This closed the proceedings. Sergeant-Major McOovorn, who has been appointed inspector under "The Employment of Females Act," paid a, visit to this district in his ottici.il capacity on Saturday. He went to all tho millinery establishments and shops in which females and apprentices are employed. Of course, tho employers were not aware of tho Law, but tho inspector enlightened them on the matter, cautioning them that if at any time they infringed the act ho would take proceedings against thorn. People are now aware of the law, and it will bo their own fault jf they are caught tripping. Professor Kirk came here last week, but few, if any, were aware of his visit. This is a pity, as there are many orchardists who would have been glad to coiifei with him on the subject of blight m fruit trees. Captain Bockett and Mr W. Johns are tho two most extensive fruit growers in this district, and they could no doubt have given much valuablo information as to the pests which destroy the fiuit trees. Tho lattei gentleman has been a close observer for yeaio of the vamus kinds of blight which infect orchards, and he could speak with authouty on these matters. His opinion is that the poach blight is caused by too sudden changes of tcmpeiature, owing to the country bein? denuded of surface vegntation, thus allowing the earth to cvhalo nioisturo too rjuiekly. There is nothing to shield tho ground from tho direct rays of the sun, or to prevent it cooling too quickly. In pi oof of his theory ho points out that years ago, befoio the fern was cleared, tiio peach trees that boro most liuuiiantly were growing m fciti that covered them as far as the lowor branches, .uid the tiees that bear best at piesent aro those winch are in the. most sheltered positions. I'iofessor Kirk's object in coming to the district is to confer with tho settlers in order to get all the information ho can i enpectmg fruit blight, and they should bo apprised of his coming. A Hying visit is not tho way to collect statistics on such an important subject. As fruitgrowing promises to bo an important factor in tho wealth of tho colony, tho settlers should be assisted in every possible way to combat the distinctive effects of the blight. It is tv bo hoped the piofossoi will visit tho distiicfc again, and let us know when he is coming. He will find no lack of intciest in the matter here. — (Own Correspondent.)

\ meeting of the Rantfmn outlying dutrict will be held .it Huntly on the 10th June. I lie result of the iStan^apiko Licensing Distru t op'ion pull is published in our advertising •olumns. An important notice concerning the 1 names Valley .md Kotorua Railway Company (Limiti d), from thr secretary, Mr John Hatter, <\ppcm in this i^sue A mrptinu of thf> Tamahere I'.iimer's' Club vrill bf> beld in the srhool-room, Tamahrrp, on Friday next, for the purpose of co-oprrating with tho Provisional Committen of the New /palnod Railnray Reform League. Mr Jpbn Knox has received instructions fr»m the official aninneo in the estate of P. K. OBrien, Ranjjinri, to Mibmit 'o the hammer the whole of his boinehold furniture, and lne .md Uoad stock. Particulars in next issue.