DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 101, 26 May 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

TIKOBaNGI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Mr. T. McKenzie, who had his skull slightly fractured the other day had a narrow escape from an accident the. consequences) of which might have proved fatal. While engaged in fencing, he was accidentally hitxm the head with a rail thrown by an employee Mr. Mclvenzie was stunned for some time and bled a little at the cars. He was taken to New Plymouth for medical attention, and is now making a good recovery.'

The extraordinary action of the Opunakc Harbor Committee in seeking a refund from the New Plymouth Harbor Board is being roundly condemned. One would have thought that relieving the Opunake and Waitara districts from their share of the liability on the old loan would have satisfied everyone in these districts, at all events. Apparently, however, the prime movers at Opunake think otherwise; but it is satisfactory to know that the Waitara Harbor Board refused to lend itself to the paltry tactics of the gentlemen forming the Opunake Harbor Committee. From time to time endeavors have been made to have New Zealand cement used at the harbor works, and I noticeby the Daily News report of the last meeting of the Harbor Board that a few concrete blocks are to be made and the result noted. As a. matter of fact, concrete blocks made from New Zealand cement were used in the north wall at the month of the Waitara river some twenty years ago, and as yet show nc signs of deterioration. This in itse't should be sufficient proof of the excellence of the New Zealand article, an'J it should bo the aim of nil local bodies to give preference to our own industries, all other things being equal. It is to be regretted that the Farmers' Union Conference, sitting at Stratford last week, rejected a remit in favor of compulsory military training. The surprising tiling is that, whilst no objection is made to the existing law which gives the Government power t« call out the militia in lime of necessity —in fact ninety-nine people out of every 'hundred will hgree that this is a very necessary power—yet the greatest objection is shown to any course of action which would make that militia a useful fighting force, instead of being merely a mob of .undisciplined men, more dangerous to friends than to enemies. 'Hie pot argument is that compulsory training is opposed to British ideas of freedom: lint, after all, true liberty can only be gained by a cheerful renunciation of our personal desires in favor of the common good. ■

The library committee are, making great efforts to ensure a good programme at the annual concert which eventuates on Thursday next. Arrangements have been made with a party ol vocalists from New Plymouth, who will contribute to the evening's entertainment.