DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 100, 25 May 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents). TARIKI. Some unknown jiereon recently "iell out" 'with one of the concrete pillars of the new bridge over the Mongunui, and managed to knock its cement cap off into the river beloiw. It is a matter for surmise whether the unknown one received any damage in the encounter, but I ha r e been told that, should his identity become known to tlie county foreman, ae would be in some danger of following the lost cap into the clear, cool waters of the beautiful Monganui. The Cheese Company's suppliers' cheques for April were pleasantly swelled by the addition of u penny bonus, which brings the price paid for butter-fat up to Is per lb. with every reason to hope there will be more to come at the end of the season.

Some settlers who have been running a lew horses 011 the road to keep the too luxuriant growth of succulent grass from choking up the water-tables have now put them back oil the farm. It is rumored that a contractor intends shortly to run a team of bullocks on the road with tlie same laudalile intention, but 1 fear his good intentions ill this direction will not be appreciated, and, should .te persist in doing so, his team might "walk off' to the nearest pound.

The Tariki Defence liille Club was fortunate in having a beautiful day for its | annual picnic 011 the 20th instant, and both the picnic and "social" in the evening were most successful. About twenty rillemeu competed in the different matches, which were all keenly contested. Appended are tlie scores of the prize-winning marksmen: No. 1 Match, 200 yards.—liillenian 0. Stanton 33,' Rifleman C. Therkleson 33, Rifleman G. Ackland 32, liillenian W. Jakes 32. Xu. 2 Match, 500 yards.—Rifleman G. Ackland 33, Rifleman G. Stanton Rifleman C. Cartwriglit 32, Rifleman W. Jcmison 32.

No. 3 Match, 500 yards.—Rifleman R. Hancock 32, Rifleman W. Earl 32, Rifleman C. Cartwriglit 31, "Rifleman C. Therkleson 31, -Hon. Member 11. Stratford 31.

No. 4 Match, Grand Aggregate, open to the six highest scorers ill Matches 1, 2, and 3.—Rifleman G. Stanton 193, Rifleman R. Hancock 111, Rifleman C. Cartwriglit 110, Rifleman G. Ackland 104, Rifleman W. Earl 102, Rifleman '.V. Jakes 101.

No. 5, Ladies'' Match.—Mrs. Stratford first. Miss Stratiord second.

During the year the gold medal presented -by Mr. E. Vickers for highest scoring in class-firing was won by Rifleman j.-Therkleson, and the trophy presented by Mr. W. Saywell by Rifleman W. Jakes.

DURHAM ROAD. The weather during the past few, weekg has been "something cruel—wind, raiu and fog—ouLs'ide work, in consequence, being much delayed. A big heap of boulders is lying at the Durham Road depot awaiting the arrival of the crusher, but nothing can possibly be done until the weather clears.

Mr. Griflin, 01 Lower Durham Road, met with a serious accident 011 Friday last through his horse -being startled In some way and jambing him 'tween cart and gate post. Particulars are meagre, though I understand the injuries necessitated the sufferer being stent to the New Plymouth Hospital. The Maketawa factory is now connected by telephone, and the convenience Should prove of benefit to the ityMr. M, Crane, late of Albert Road, has purchased the section known as "Copestake's" on Upper DurhaiA Road (price not disclosed).

Some interest is evinced in the P 1 " 0posal to erect a freezing works for-mcat at Moturoa, and particulars of thv scheme are awaited.

I regret to have to record the demise of Mr. P. Bnckthought, which took place* at the jfs'idence of his son (Mr W. Buckthought), Durham Road, 011 Friday last, after a long illness. Deceased, wJio watf in his 82nd years, was one of those j'loni'i'fs who luul to .suffer the ups and downs eo»sv(|ik'»t nn the early settlement of tin-<*olujiy. The inLerineiit took place on ,Sunday at the Inglewood cemo. terv. a large number of sympathisers attending from all partis 01* the district.

Sonic, few .wars back, when the har'bo r proposals ]■(' extension were put before the ratepayers the estimated cost of a new dredge was put down at something like £IO,OOO or £17,000. Is it correct Mr. Editor, that instead it is to cost something like £OO,OOO ? [ £33,000.—Ed.] WAKEA. 1 lie weather hero lately lias been verv wet and cold at times,' and has lmuie a great dill'crenec to the milk supply at tlie local factory. The tests are noiv on the move upwards; this week a number of suppliers had 5.0. Xow that the formation is completed on trie top of the liuakcrc road, the three settlers. Messrs. O. Wells, W. llcvcll, ami S. Wells, waited on the I'arihaka lioad Hoard at their last moothi# to soo if they could <jot soma metalling done, because one part of the roa:l lll »l lias I formed would be almost impassable in wet weather, 'Che Hoard decided to spend £2.3 in metalling the worst part of the road.

The cheese factory is progressing. 11l a few days the plans will be .out, and lenders will liren he called for the cutting and lilling and the erection of the rom-rcte walls, etc. When this is completed tenders will be called for the erection of the buikliug, wliieh is expected to lie completed and ready for c'lieescmaking about September. The half-night assembly dunces will commence on May 27, anil will be. run by the Defence Ride Club, and the proceeds of same will be divided between the Hide Club and the llall Committee. These dances will be carried on fortnightly through the winter months.

I have been informed that Mr. S. fv'fton has been appointed manager of Mr. T. I!, llughson's Oaonui store, and he leaves-to take up his duties this week.