PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 66, 7 March 1908, Page 6

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

liAIKJTr. (From Our Own Correspondent/. Another competition for Captain Colmer's trophy took place at the local range on Saturday. The conditions were scv.cn shots at 200 and 300 yds, and the winner turned up in .Mr. V. Tyrell, who scored (ill, iiiciludiug a handicap •■( Hi. Interest in these competitions has been fairly well -maintained throughout the summer. Subjoiile.l are the scores: 200 31111 hep. 'I. V. Tvrell .. .. 25 10 Hi lid .1. Culincr .. ..31 2S scr. 50 I'.. Harrison .. .. 2S 27 4 50 It. Condon . . 2K IS 13 50 IS. Penning!.>n .. .. 21 LS HI o5 A. Phillips ..27 23 I 51 Coomhes .. ..22 15 11 51

'there does not appear to be much interest taken in the proposed Harbor Hill, ihe attendance at Mr. Maxwell's meeting on Saturdav night being only model ate. Mr. fi. it. Wright presided. Mr. Maxwell outlined;-the proposed Bill and fullv and comprehensively explained it. A few ones-lions 'we're asked at the conclusion. It wa- proposed by M'\ Wright and seconded by .Mr. .1. 11. Hleakley that this meeting i- in favor of the propo-od Hill. The motion was carried unanimously, an amendment to exclude the OpullaT.ee survey district not finding a seconder. Votes of thanks !o .Mr. Maxwell and to the chair terminated the meeting. On Saturday .Mr. C. H. Field, of the Xgariki road, returned from Auckland with his bride The happy couple, who are remaining in the township for a fe'v days, were tendered a hearty welcome by tlie local tin-can band on Saturday evening.

The long drought has at lust eompletely broken up. For the past week we have had considerable rain, and :.s the weather still remains warm one can almost see the grass growing. The bush fires are uow completely out, and there should he no more danger from tire this

-eason. Everyone is anxious to s-oiv their gras--seed so as lo take advantage hi llit— good growing weather. The milk -upply has Mime up considerably >incc the wot weather set in. With the rain the prospects of feed for the winter have considerably advanced. The Kaholu Co-operative Dairy Factory, is, it is stated, shortly to commence making butter, as soon as the necessary plant is installed. This ap)>ears to be*a good season for mushrooms, several splendid baskets having already been obtained. Local footballers are beginning to stir themselves, and the first annual meeting of the newly-formed Rahotu Football Club takes place on Saturday night. It is expected there -will be a large ittendance. as the new western district scheme is very popular here, minimising travelling as it does. The furthest distance Rahotu club will have to travel to play will be 17 miles. Last year some of the Kaholu members of' the

Opimake Club had to travel 67 miles :o play one match.

Some of the local sports Ml in badly oyer the Wobb-'Tresiddor boat ra;e. Early in ilio afternoon tho news came through that Tresiddcr had won. Webb having broken his scull. This was known to lie a hoax, as the race had not, then been rowed. Liter on, however, the news camp through again and was accepted as genuine. The supporters of Webb were doleful and some of them paid up their small bets (the biggest was ,">s) to the jubilant. Trosidderitos, who in the exulx-ranee of their joy cut the amounts out amongst their friends. Imagine their feelings a few minutes later when the true result was announced, ami they had to refund the amounts (most 01 which had been spent I as well as pay out to the Wcjb supporters whose 'urn it now was.

WAITAIiA ROAU.

from Our Own Correspondent.

The drought has at lastiiroken with a nice mild tall ot rain, lint it came too late to bring growth in time to improve the milk supply to any extent.

Our factory anil creamery both show a great fnlling-otf in the supply of milk this month to the corresponding month last year, the amount for export being 08 boxes less for the month. In sympathy with ipiantity of milk, tests are high, ranging from 1 to ">:1. Pastures which were quite dried up are now looking iptite green, and those who have put in green feed report a vigorous growth.

The harvest is about linishcd. I notice one or two small crops of oats still in the field. The yield so far is reported to be very good. -Mr. Hcppell ha? arrived in the district and taken possession of [Vncarrow. having decided ill the meantime to go in for sheepfalining. 'The school-children are looking forward to their annual picnic, which tak 's place shortly. The settlers Sentry Hill and surrounding district intend holding a monster picnic in Mr. Sampson's line '.'rounds at Sentry Hill on the 12th ins). They have a good programme of sports on the board, inctudiug several bicy de race-: and hot water and milk wili be provided free.

'The Christchiiivh Meat Company, who locally opened a receiving-slat ion at Waitara, had a very large supply of pigs forward ln-t week, and 1 think thai if they continue to keep faith wiib the farmers Ihev will have a wide fioM wherein to labor. So far business has been done in a systematic way. and returns are prompt. A more up-to-date wcinhiiis-inacliiiit' anil unlonding-race i J badly needed to facilitate the delivery of pigs from the farmers' carts.

WAIIU. (From Our Own Correspondent). A vcrv successful social was tendered to Mi. C. i'et.h. an old and respected settler of the district, on the eve of his departure for England to visit his friends, at Mr. R. -I. Sack's residence on Saturday evening last. During the evening several songs and recitations were rendered by Davidson lirothers. Mr. W. Draper. Mr. .1. Ovenden, Miss Maggie and Master Clement Spo'-k. Miss Davidson plaved the accompaniments. After supper, Mr. T. Davidson prsented Mr. retell, on behalf of those present, with n Handsome travellingbag, and expressed the hope that the recipient would have an onjovablo (rip. Mr. IVtih marie a suitable reply, expressing the wisli that he might :.e spared to return to his friends and spend t'ne res) ~f in-- davs in New Zealand. Afte r singing "Aiild Lang Svne" and •■Me'- a .lolly fined Fellow," a very enjoyable evening was brought to a close.