DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 234, 8 November 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) WAIIEA. The contractor) Mr. F. M. Gray ling, liiis completed his contract for buildi'ig the new cheese factory, and Mesa] s. Smart Bros, liuve just about finished infiUlling tlu- machinery, and the factory will probably be opened on .Monday morning. The Newell road building is just completed, but the machinery is a littlo behind. Tlie engine came out of town on Thursday. It might 'be a few days later starting than the main factory, so the cream will have to be taken down and made into butter. The main factory will thus be running the two plants. flit. J. B* Sim, secretary of the Provincial Farmers' Union, wag in the district on Saturday morning hist. The contractors, Messrs. L. Fischer awl P. Julian, finished their road contract of making a new road in to the cheese factory from the Newell road last week.

The for the cheesemaking are arriving. One came out here last week, one on Thursday, and the others will be here about Saturday. Mr. Crocket, the Noxious Weeds, inspector, has been in the district liiis v.cok going over the farm*, looking for weeds, ami I understand he is shaking things up this time. I was ntforme I that he was to have gone over the Newell run on Thursday and see about clearing the weeds there.

ItAHOTU. After a lapse of some months a meeting of the local branch of the Farmers' Union was held on Friday night. Mr. A. F. Chapman presided. There was a good attendance of members. Mr. Sims, provincial organiser, was pres'ent, and in a good address showed the benefits derived by the Farmers' Union in the past. A resolution was passed that this branch should be continued, and the following were elected an executive committee:—Messrs. A. F. Chapman (chairman and secretary), 11. Phillips, J. Penletow, and H. N. Chapman. Meetings' will be held monthly. The branch has a fair balance in liand.

A number of local residents had de-j cided on going for a motor trip around | tlie mountain on Sunday. Two cars had been engaged for the trip from New Plymouth. When .Sunday arrived the would-be tourists waited in pleasurable anticipation the arrival of the cars to commence their eventful journey. However, owing to rain in New Plymouth, the cars came not, and the disappointed trippers had to wend their way homewards. However, fresh arrangements were made and tlie trip was to be made yesterday. There is every prospect of a prosperous season at tlie local factory. There are several new suppliers this year, and | considerably more cheese is being made i now than was made in the flush of the scas'on last year. The factory is now jiayiug out a good price, and local farmers arc well satisfied. When such a commodious factory was erected two years ago many thought it was far too large, but if the supply continues to increase as it litis done additions wJiU 1 soon be necessary.

A lady cyclist had a most unpleasant experience whilst cycling from O&onui to Arawliata Road on Thursday evening. When near the Oaonui bridge she "noticed a horse and dray approaching her. Suddenly without warning, the horse took the bit between its teeth and headed straight for the lady, who, despite her own efforts to escape, and the driver's to pull up his horse, was knocked over, but fortunately escaped injury. The horse meantime was pulled up on to a bank and narrowly miss'ed capsizing the dray.

The local school was examined this week by Mr. Whetter, inspector. The school children were given two days' holiday to recuperate from the strain, and, needless to say, the holiday was thoroughly enjoyed. On Thursday Inspector Whetter proceeded to the Kahui Road school and held the examination there.

A commodious shearing shed is being built for Mr. Lys'aght, up the Kahui Road, by Mr. Candish. Mr. Pen warden, manager, states that the sheep have done very well this year, and there is no doubt that the hilly country about bore is exceptionally suited for sheep. The country at the top of the Kahui Road is rapidly being brought into order. This spring over 200 acres of bush have been felled, and if the season is suitable this/ will be burnt and grassed, so that next spring the carrying capacity of that part of the district should be considerablv increased.

The Oaonui Dairy Company has commenced making cheese at their various factories. For a start the calves did not like the change from skim milk to whev. and as a protest a number of them died. The remainder, however, are now taking much better to the whev, to which molasses or some other nutriment i> added.

Messrs. l.artle Rros., who purchased the mill owned by Messrs, Rotherv and .Mills, have removed it to Arawhata Road. The Opunake sawmilling Company's mill is also closed down for the pres'ent. Mow there is no timber carting the Kalmi Road should be much easier kept in decent order. There was a good muster of Masons here on Thursday evening, visitors coming by motor-cars, brakes', buggies, etc. The occasion was the annual installation and .banquet. The latter was laid in the public hall. U was catered bv Mr. Hood, of the local hotel. Your Own" was privileged to look at the tables when spread before the banquet, and oh how he envied the masons!

Mr, Paul Willcox lias ju*t had a liidd milking machine installed. There are now several of these machines in this district and they all seem to be giving satisfaction.

Our township still progresses. Another business is about to be opened here in the form of a fancy goods and cycle shop. A3 new businesses mean new buildings, the appearance of Rahotu is improved thereby.

At present, owing to the departure of Mr. A. K Phillips from the district, the Rahotu ward has 110 representative on the Parihaka Road Board. There have already been several names mentioned as his successor, but so far nothing Melinite can be done, as owing to Mr. Phillips not having resigned there is u& yet no vacancy to Jill. However, the seat will shortly become vacant by eflluxion of time, when an election' will be held. The same applies to the Egiiiont County Council, of which Mr. Phillips was <i!>o a member. Iravdlcrs to Rahotu on Eridav evening saw strange lights hovering in the -!<y. and at once began to speculate as to whether an airship was milking a visit here under cover of darkness. However, on reaching the township the mystery was explained. It was Guy hi wives' Day, and the local small fry were celebrating the occasion bv pvrotechnic displays. Ihe annual picnic in connection with 1 the local Rifle Club takes -place pn Tuesday next, King's Birthday. An attractive shooting programme has been arranged. In the evening a social will probably be held.

llr, Chomondcly, the now weeds inspector fur t lk* northern ])urtion of tlie I dislrict is now on ;t visit here, fn company with Mr. Crockett, of Opunake, lie went over the Fariliaka run, that hete noir ol local settlers, which is a good distributing centre for various noxious weeds such its ragwort, blackberry, and ox-eye daisy. It is t,o lie hoped something can be done to force Ihe natives to destroy these pes'ts, or allow settlers who will do so to secure tlie land.

I O l Kriday evening, in the public liall, ■ a larewell smoke concert was tendered to j Air. .1. Porteous, who is leaving tile | 'i'"''' l ■ ' reside at Te Kiri. There was I I v<l .v (air attenilance. Mr. I). Anglesey. ehnirniau of Ihe school committee, | presided, and after full justice had been done to the good fare provided, the chairman in a neat >'pefch proposed the health of (he guest of the evening. Referring lo tlie active part: Mr. I'orteous had always taken in public matters, as secretary of tin* school committee and luill committee and as a most active member uf the Athletic Club, mid regretting his departure, winch would undoubtedly lie a great loss to tlie district. Mr. A. J. I'orteous suitably responded. Several other toasts were duly proposed fliiil honored. During the evening songs' were rendered by Messrs. Kelly, King. ■ Taikson, Anglesea and Hnrdin. "Mr. J. R. Knowles acted as accompanist.