PROVINCIAL NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 11 December 1907, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS

From Our Own Correspondents. STRATFORD. The continual unrest amongst our dairy farmers is no doubt responsible lor'lhc absence of really permanent improvements that are necessary to scientific and up-to-date dairying, if we want to hold our own in the world's markets, and the operation of the new Dairy Aet will no doubt reveal to our farmers their many shortcomings. I am informed that in three ridings alone of the Stratford County there has been during the past twelve months 121) changes of property. This changing must have a tendency to put a fictitious value upon land that cannot be realised, and the disastrous effects of such a condition of things must recoil upon thoss least able to bear it.

The weather at the beginning of the season was very bad, but lately it has been perfect, and the milk supply has record. The Midhiret Factory, I am told, has obtained a record price for its butter.

In a Court case for commission on the sale of land, tried here last Friday, in which Mr. Kerr, of your town, appeared for defendant, it was very amusing to see counsel for plaintiff surrounded by his junior counsel. It is surprising to see the large number of aspirants to legal honours that we art raking in this Dominion.

Dairy farmers complain very bitterly of the scarcity of labour, and it is a very open question if we as a nation are not avoiding our duty by clambering too much after the higher education for our children.

To-morrow (Tuesday) night the Stratford Horticulture 1 Society holds its Rose Show, but the heavy rain of Friday night last has spoilt many of the best biooms. Still, it is anticipated that the show will be a great success. Stratford is fortunate in having many enthusiasts in horticulture.

The old story of the man sitting on a barrel of gunpowder smoking a cigar was more than exemplified here last week at a little flare-up that occurred at Mr. S. B. Hunter's outbuilding. There was a keg of methylated spirits. .The hoops of the keg were actually on fire. Still the crowd pressed forward, and curiosity led then into a very danger ous position. Fortunately the combustible behaved itself, and did not explode. otherwise a bigger tale would have to be told.

Christinas, with all its festivities, is rapidly approaching, and onr tradesmen are making preparations to entice the pleasure-seekers to dispose of the needWAREA.

Jlr. Salway took possession of his newly-acquired farm last week. Local farmers don't seem in anv hurry to row- their turnips this season. Last year most of the crops were in by this time, but up to now there arc no crops in. Late crops seem able to resist the blight better than the early ones.

Sheep shearing is going on slowly. Messrs. Ducker Bros.' timber yards, which adjoin the hall grounds, were opened last week. A workshop is to be erected in the yards. The heavy rain which fell all Friday night did a lot of good. The return cricket match, Okato v. Warea, was played in Mr. M. Brophy's paddock on Saturday, in glorious weather. The match resulted in a win for Warea by 26 runs. Okato made 9 runs in the first innings and Warea 35 Aftcrthe match Mrs. Brophy provided afternoon tea, which was very much appreciated. Following are the particulars: Warea—F. Jenkins, run out, 1; J. Teedon, b Boyle., Oi B. Anderson, run out, 3; R. Warburton. c Corbett, b Boyle, 12: T. E. Larking, b Boyle, i; C. W. Corbett, b Watt, b Andrews. 2; R. Julian, b Andrews, 1; P. Julian, not out, 5; M. Brophy, b Andrews, 1; Jack Jones, b Power, 0; extras, 5; total, 35. Okato—P. Boyle, c sub., b Anderson, 0; L. Andrews, b Anderson, 0; E. Lecdom, b Warburton, 1; J. Power, b Warburton, 7; L. Carey, c Corbett, b Warburton, 0: JI. Corbett, c Leedom, b Anderson. 0: .1. Carey, b Anderson, 0; X. Gordgc, b Warburton, 0; X. Andrews, b Warburton. 0; T. Hodson. not out, 1; P. Carey, b Warburton, 0; total, 9.