DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 99, 24 May 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

STRATFORD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The provincial delegates of the Farmers' Union have met. settled the policy of the country, decided that the system of land valuation is iniquitous for taxation purposes, left the question of compulsory military training severely alone, forgot to urge Sir Joseph Ward to increase the death duties' and had not heard of a tax on unearned increment; further decided that when the Lords of the Council decide who is the best person to represent them at the House of many promises to send a cypher message to each member with an indication who the elect should be.

Quite a number of unemployed have drifted into town from the railway works and are more or less impecunious and are soliciting loans from many people, principally for tile purpose of sinking "long-'uus," but most of the citizens are hard and stony-hearted. One person says he parted with a half-crown, but I am sceptical and suggest that he should undergo a course of treatment for enlargement of the heart. An old resident, in the person of Miss Cater, passed away at the hospital on Friday night. The young lady was' highly respected by all who knew her, and was a step-daughter of the late Mr. I Gorrie.

The Public Works arc pushing the tunnel for all they arc worth. They are opeiiing lines from both ends, instructions having been received that it is to be compacted by ffie end of September. If this is done the rail-bead will be knocking nt the door of the Whangamoinona pub by Christmas time and the weary and worn co-operative will find rest for his weary soul. Toll-gales are in the air, but 1 don't think any intelligent community will adopt them. The representatives'on fclio present County Council will not henparties to it. I feel sure they belong to a progressive age!

The Opunake railway is in t'lic air again. Mr. Dive, M.l\, has evolved n j scheme to bring the railway by tile best route, so if it ever eventuates, which is problematical, it will connect at Stratford with the Main Trunk! But the mortgaging of the land to guarantee 3V 2 per cent, will make people think hard. The Dairy Association met in Stratford on Friday, but little or no publicity has liecn given as to what they intenn to do for the coming season. Should a fair price be offered, it is' quite probable that a great number of factories will sell straight out.