DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 26, 24 February 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

RAHOTU. | (From Our Own Correspondent). ' The annual Harvest. Thanksgiving services in connection with the local Mi'lliodist Church took place on Sunday lust. There \\t>iv very fair attendances. '1 he lit'V. Mr, Uiybourn, who officiated, pleached appropriate sermons. On Tuesday ('veiling ihe services were continued in (lie llall. Owing to the <lil(iculty •• f obtaining auctioneers, Oaonui ami Pimgari'liu eiimlbined. with Rahotu on this occasion, and through the kindness of Mr. Newton King, Mr. Cottier officiated as auctioneer. There was a good attendance, tlie, hall being crowd- ( ed. A sjhort musical programme was rendered, items being given by Messrs. Kelly, G. Eughson, and the choir. The auction proved very successful, bidding being very spirited, over . £lB 12s being realised. A collection was taken up in the tall to clear expenses, and, as a result, the sum of £lB was netted. Some smart youth or youths opened the whey tap at the factory and let all the wihey rim out, so that when the farmers arrived next morning there wai no whey, and the calves had as a consequence, to go without drink, a serious matter during this hot weather. II some of the settlers could get hold 'of the calf or calves who perpetrated this action they would .be given a free bath' in the whey. The following members of the Rahotu Rifle Glib have entered for the Tar a naki tournament: Messrs. Colmer (icaptain), Christian, A. Phillips, J. Shepherd, A. Baker, and J. Guy. I feel certain they will do credit to our district. It is intended to enter a team in the Teams Match.

STRATFORD. The Mount Egmont crushing works continue to send down a few trucks of crushed metal and sittings, but up to the present time local bodies do notj seem to be able to reap the benefits from the line that they expected, iu the way of getting cheap " macadam." Ham pnd weird arc the reports one hears '.about tlie feeding of the crushers; one man says that a number Of ex-Taranaki football forwards get on a passing rush now and then and load a truck in less than a day, but the report lacks confirmation. It is also said that from 17 to 22 different routes have been walked over to find which is tile easiest way to .continue the line to the quarries. What puzzles the people is that, the Department point blank refuses (although it uses the word regret) to take passenger traffic up this line, though it would be a good investment for the owners (ourselves). Mr. Cook, the resident engineer, is off for a well-earned holiday to the "Cold Country." He will probably pick up some new ideas on his tour, and, on his return, use them on the Stratford-Auck-land line. The shareholders in the Dominion Gold Mining Company are not looking very pleasant just now, and remind one of the Scotsman who lost a sovereign and found threepence. The run on Monte Christo has ceased at the Public Library.

WAITARA. Mr. Vaughan, the county clerk, had an exceeding busy time of it last week receiving rates prior to the date of imposing the additional 10 per cent. The sum of £3021 was paid into the bank for that week. The church parade was very poorly attended on Sunday. Captains Pope and Wyllie and Lieut Wilkes were present. Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst conducted the service. The 5.5. Waitangi made her last trip to this port on Saturday the vessel having been found quite unsuitable for this trade. The auxiliary scow Albatross, capable of bringing 70 or 80 tons on a very light draught, will be put on. This reversion to sailing craft will surely not meet requirements, but we fancy it is merely a temporary arrangement, until the company have a suitable steamer. The Kilties paid their promised visit to Waitara on Friday evening, when they gave us a very good programme. From a financial point of view the attendance wns not over satisfactory. Mr. ißait, Government veterinary, recently performed a rather unique operation. A very valuable horse developed an injured leg apparently through being staked inside the hock, and the owner thought he would have to destroy it. However, he consulted Mr. Rait, who, after a superficial examination, decided to try and remedy the 'trouble. Accordingly lie slung the horse, chloroformed liini, and cut to the bone, which he scraped, and so arrested the decay. The next point was to keep the horse ironr interfering with the wound. This was accomplished by an iron rod being clamped on to the shoe, and strapped over the back, the animal being thus unable to move his leg.