MAKETAWA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81869, 19 October 1906, Page 3

MAKETAWA.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. I have no doubt iliat a few notes occasionally from this portion of the district—extending from Inglewood to near Tariki—will prove of interest to readers, and as the News is gaining in popularity I have no hesitation in saying such items will be eagerly iouked for. All round the district farmers have taken advantage of the dry spell during the last month and have been logging- and burning large areas for turnips* A considerable amount of ground is already ploughed and put in oats and the area in crops of all descriptions will show a good increase this year. The rain which fell on Friday and Saturday and the commencement of this week did a great deal of good, and has sweetened up the pastures; "cookies'' were beginning to show some anxiety on account of the dryness, which, for this time of year, was phenomenal. The concrete bridge over the Piakau is now ready for the earth filling and I might say it reflects credit on the contractor, and is almost an object lesson to ratepayers, who should do all in their power (no matter what part of the district) to get the same class of bridge erected. The first cost may be heavy, but no one can deny but that it saves money m the long run and gives a degree of security which no wood or iron structure can give.

Disciple of old Isaack will find | plenty of sport in the rivers this way as I understand th;l,t in iln throe' Ngatoros fish are simply teeming', especially in the upper portions. Clearing fires of past years have been responsible for the loss of hundreds of fine fish but that element of damage should not? be minimised. Mr S. I.owe, who has been leasing Mr Jas. Grant's section, Upper Durham road, for the past two years, having taken up a section on the Ngatoto road, Upper Waitara District, has gone out to reside on the new place. I understand that a new tenant takes possession of Mr Grant's farm very shortly.

Suppliers to the factory will no doubt be pleased to hear that efforts are being' made to obtain facilities for .he postage and delivery of mails twice a week, and I understand that Mr Quickfall is to be appointed to I *•!( after the mails. That it will nrov 1 8 K reat convc ' n,enc, ' 10 fi' oes without' P articularl y t0 l ' ,o f c residents i." J l '* u PP er P orllon of the r<l A S t'eam from' t lie f N ' orfo ' k „ road school placed a ga ™ of football with the scholars of the Jurham rad and badly defeated the latter. V lO took placo on Friday last, . IJI "• [.angler's paddock. Miss Alexander, the teacher at Durham road, has sent in her resignation, having applied for and been appointed to the Dudley road school. Durham road folk seem unfortunate with their teachers, as they are constantly on the shifi, and it must be detrimental to the interests of ihe scholars to have so many alterations. A the Durham road school on Friday evening last, an old-time nigger ' nteriainmeiu was submitted by the local minstrels, and the affair went tliiougli without a hitch, giving pleasure to the largo audience which had gathered from all parts of the district. The programme, which was h long and varied one, consisted of old negro melodies, and the vocalists, who were nearly all new beginners, deserve great credit for the manner in which they went through their individual parts. Xdo not intend to particularise any one item or performer, as sufficient will be said when I mention that it was the unanimous opinion of those present that they had thoroughly enjoyed the evening's amusement. I hope those interested will recognise the impossibility of, on this occasion, publishing a full account of the the entertainment, and that tliey will take an early opportunity of presenting another of like meri*. The dance which followed was largely patronised and kept up until the vtv early hours.

A farewell concert is to be tendered to Miss Bnnvnlee, at the Norfolk road school next Friday evening and it is hoped thf weather will allow i/T a large gathering. A very strong - committee has been formed to provide an entertainment to bo hHd in Mr liuckthouglil's barn on (lie 25th inst., and numerous invimtions have been issued. The building is a very large one and has rm previous occasion* been u'ilisod for dancing;, lovers of the light fantastic being - especially pleased with the condition of the floor. The proposed '•spree, 5 ' should prove very enjoyable.