DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 295, 22 January 1910, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS

STRATFORD. The County Council has finally decided to go on with the Douglas Valley drainage, which wil' be good news to the interested parties. The Railway Department has sent their share of tlie money required, also 150 yards oi crushed metal.

Pay-day for the various factories' is with us again, and the total amount, including the Public Works pay for the Stratford County, will probably run ipto close on £20,000. Several local people are interested in the wool shipped on the Kaipara, and word has been received that the Taranaki shipments are undamaged, so the next best thing is to see it leave by the next boat, in order that it may reai fee Home markets while the present prices or better hold. The County Council has notified its' clients that one-half of their rates m. be paid at once, failing which the whole will be sued for. If ratepayers would only consider what amount of interest is paid, and how the non-receipt of rates 'handicaps the local bodies, they would pay up promptly for their own good. The sweet-pea enthusiasts are gathered together to-day for their annual show, which, I hear, is very good. Mr. S. Ward has' resigned the position of secretary to the Horticultural Society, and it will be difficult to get another one to do the work as well. Those two native blocks with the unwritable names are nearly finished for eutting-up purposes, and," it is hoped, will be on the market this winter. The whole of this country is' easily served from Stratford, and with the railway within'%e^m*es : and a good stretch of metalled road will help on settlement. I: understand it is the intention of the Government to place all grants in i hands of local bodies for expenditure under the supervision of an officer ot the Roads Department. It is hoped that the various sums of money will be placed to the credit of the various councils at once, s'o that the money can be spent before the winter sets in or the grant expires by effluxion of time. The weather was responsible for the non-arrival of the New Plymouth contingent of bowlers, but 510 doubt we will have a fine day soon, and our friends from New Plymouth win have a good time. It is wonderful how the game is catching on. and the diversity of'opinion that exists among the uninitiated. For good-fellowship, sobriety, and to enable one to forget for a while the troubles of this Avorld, commend to your readers the good old game.