DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 31, 2 March 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents). STHATFOIID. Tilings continue to look bright in this district for the farmer. Feed is plenti ful, although a visit of a day or two from Jupiter Pluvius would meet with a good reception from quite a number of suburban residents. The extension of the water mains is as that in New Plymouth used to l« the pipes are here, but the necessary littings are coming along like a serial story in a weekly paper, and the Borougn Council hum tlie same old tune. "Some day.'' The Oddfellows visited Stratford in force for their annual *'korero." They, apparently had a pleasant time, judging from their pleased expression on leaving the dining-room. The Hospital Boards also ''koreroed," and arrived at somewhere near where they used to be; at least, the difference is one of a shilling a day for those who can pay, and as for tlie other fellow—well, it's immaterial if they raise his charge to 10s a day; the result would be just about the same.

A visit from the Fitzroy bowlers enabled our men to indulge in some good practise. The suburbanites, like some racehorses, did not reproduce their track fovin, or our course was too fast. I am not sure which.

The vendors of glorious beer and the disciples of water, cold tea, and other inoxious liquids endeavoured to arrange a Licensing Committee suitable to both parties, but others entered the field. Rumour says they have received typewritten nomination papers, and they could not resist the temptation. The roads and bridges will suffer accordingly. Pay-day arrived at the co-op. works on Friday, and the poor, struggling cooperative workers are in town to-day. They must have a terrible hard time out there, as the majority wore a dazed look, and seemed to be suffering from spinal meningitis, or else they were born rickety. A number of them left by the night train, loaded up witli lemonade and Warner's Safe Cure. Happy Cooperators! Speeehricrr who feel inclined to build houses have a splendid opportunity in Stratford just now. There is not an empty cottage to be seen in the borough and sections can be bought that would leave a good margin. The Hon. Mr. Hogg visits our town ou Monday to assist in farewelling our late member, Mr. Symes, who is shaking the Stratford dust from oil his sandals and going on his farm at Te Kuiti. The Minister interviews the intellect of the town in the Council Chambers on Tuesday morning, when it is the intention of the borough councillors to bring matters of importance under his notice. Tire probable rise in the flour market may be one of the items, also the question of Jlonnt Egmont as a tourist resort, likewise metal to local bodies, will be gone into. Later, the Minister attends a '• corroborce" at Wlian'gamomona. It i? hoped some good will follow, instead of the matter "receiving consideration."

WAITARA. A' resiilync-L- in Browne Street, ow:Ved I,V Mr Biclieno and occupied by Mr T, McKenzie, very narrowly escaped destruction liy fire on Thursday afternoon. The outbreak evidently 'occurred through a defective chimney. Fortunately the .lire was detected before much damage was done. From the annual grant in aid of libraries, Waitara gets £lO 4s and Tiltorangi £(i ;!s lid. We are pleased to report Constable l'ricc: lias received the police medal for long service and good conduct. The constable has a first-class record for conduct since he has been in the service. The bowling match arranged to take place on Thursday, between rinks representing shopkeepers of the town versus the rest of the members of the club, did not! take place owing to a large number being absent. The Waitara representatives at the Hide Association meeting at Waiwakailio did not do very much in the way of prize money.

Mr ]?. J. White, of tire firm of Messrs Burgess Fraser and Co., has received notice of transfer to New Plymouth. ' KEOTROAD. A most successful concert was held at

the Lower Kent school on Friday night hist, the proceeds being in aid of improving school grounds. The school was well tilled with an attentive audience. Before commencing thu programme, the Chairman presented the prizes tu the school children, every child received a hand some book. At the cluse a hearty vote of thanks was given to all who had so ( kindly assisted, and 10 Miss Smith, the teacher, who had been most energetic in making the evening the success it was.

The annual picnic will be held in the school grounds at the Lower Keat ou Tuesday, March the 9th.

WAREA. A meeting of the Warea Athletic Club was held in the library room on Wednesday night, Mr. W. McLachlan presided. Mr. E. Julian's tender for chopping blocks was accepted. It was decided to engage the Opunake Band to supply the music for the sports, and that the refreshment booth be run by the club.

The annual school picnic was held in Mr. E. Aylward's paddock on Thursday. There was a large gathering of children ami their parents. Dinner was provided for all. and was laid out in the hall, after which the prizes were handed to the children hy Mr. O. P. -Jones, the chairman of the school committee. A handsome humid volume of " The Boys' Own Annual'' was presented by Mr. Hrnce Anderson for the boy showing the best condnet in the school. The prize was won by Master Bert Jones (son of Mr. George Jones). A gold pin with charm, presented by Miss Evans for the most popular girl in the school, fell to Miss Tobin. After the presentation of prize* the children and their parents adjourned to the paddock again, where races were run for the remainder of the afternoon, with the following results:—Small boys' race*. Ken. Wells 1. Big boys' race: Bernard Judge I, West 2. Small girls' race: B. Taylor I. Big girls' race: Daisy Taylor J, T. Tobin 2. Wheelbarrow race: Walter Wade and Dave McLachlan 1, Bert Wade and Ken Wells 2. Girls' threelegged race: Daisy Taylor and Alice . McLachlan 1, Boys 5 three-legged race: Dave McLaeldan and Bert Wade 1. Roden Wade and Bert Jones 2. Big girls' race (including some not attending school): Alice McLachlan I. Poppet Wade 2. Small girls' race: Daisy Taylor 1, M. .lours 2. Big boys' race (including some not attending school): L. liogers 1, B. Wade 2. Boys' race (crawling 20 yards, then rising and running about 30 yards): Hau (Maori boy) J, B. Jones 2. Consolation race (girls'): Jessie Avlward 1. An adjournment was then made to the hall, where afternoon tea was dispensed. A sopial was held fa the hall m the evening, and the building was crowded to the doors, a large number coming from outside the district, while nearly every resident of the district was present. The evening was spent in dancing, the music being supplied by Miss Marie Francis and Mr. T. E. Larking acted as M.C. with the assistance of Mr. Roy Julian. At midnight supper was handed round in the usual manner, During the evening songs were sung by Mr. Eric Andrews and ill's, Conroy, whose singing was particularly appreciated and admired.

MAKETAWA. Lust Thursday night, February 25, a social and dancci was held in the Durham Road schoolroom to bid farewell to tlie schoolteacher, Miss M. Papps,. who lias received an appointment in tlie Inglewood School. During the evening Miss Papps was presented with a silvermounted brush and comb, as a token of the esteem in which she is held. Miss Papps took up .her new position yesterday (Monday). At the M'akctawa factory the tests at. present range from 3.0 to 4.(1. The milk supply, however, lias considerably diminished. The Norfolk Koad School's annual excursion to the breakwater was held last Friday and was well attended. The Durham Road people also joined in the excursion.

HILLSBOROUGH. Some excellent grain crops have been grown iu this neighbourhood this season. I do not remember ever having seen a better crop of barley than that just cut by Mr Tom Sampson. Mr Aaron Marsh has also just saved a very nice paddock of wheat, which should give an abundant yield per acre.

In a church not 20 miles from New Plymouth ouc of the congregation is very fond of singing, not being too particular as to time or tune, generally lie is several bars ahead of the music. His action brought u smile to the minister's face at a recent service and the minister asked the singer to take up the collection when the next hymn was being sung. The collection was taken up, but he still had time to join ill the singing.