DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 311, 10 February 1910, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

RAHOTU.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Shooting for the trophy presented by the Rahotu Ritle Club took place on Saturday, when another, and, as it turned out, the final, competition took place. The conditions were seven shots each at 500 and 600 yards', and some good shooting resulted. J. Christian, with the fine score of 05 off the gun, ■>von his third "leg," and thus secured the trophy. W. A. Tyler, with a score of 07 (including handicap of 10) won on the da)', but as in this competition a handicap is not allowed to count about 64, Christian was declared the ■winner. The conditions were that the trophy had to be won thrice in succession or three times at intervals. It took fourteen competitions to decide the trophy. Subjoined are the Scores: —

Another competition will be started shortly. Several members of the Rahotu Rifle Club intend taking part at the Association meeting to be held in New Plymouth, and a team has been entered for the teams match. The team will protf ably consist of Messrs. J. A. Colmer, J. Christian, J. F. Shepherd, J. Guy, and 11. • Baker. They are all well-known shots along the coast, and should worthily uphold the reputation of the club.

Despite the hot, dry weather, the milk supply is keeping up well. The local dairy factory is sow turning out 37 cheeses daily. Tiiis is considerably ahead of last year. There ars 37 suppliers at the factory, so that the average is one cheese per supplier. The tests' vary mostly from 3.4 to 3.9, although one supplier tops the list with 4.1.

During the recent hot weather the local beach has proved a great attraction. Surf bsithing and fishing are very much indulged in. Home very good catches of fish are occasionally made.) and this naturally gives encouragement to local amateur fishermen.

Mr. Frank Stephenson, first assistant at f.lv' Kahotu factorv, met with a painful accident on Sunday. He slipped off the milk-stand and injured his back, 'and as' a result w'll l«o confined to the house for some days. A few days ago the members of the local Domain Board received a surprise packet in the shape of an official notification that their services were dispensed with, and that the powers vested in them had been transferred to the Commissioner of Urown Lands, JNew Plymouth. The reason of this action has' not transpired. The Domain Board had done good work in the past, having just effected considerable improvements to the local sports ground, and it is understood that they had personally made themselves liable for a portion of the cost until such time as the revenue derived from the leased lands would recoup them. It is understood that Mr. ,T. McCallum, first assistant at sfche Oaonui Dairy Factory, and Mr. R. Masters, second assistant, at the local factory, intend leaving shortly on a trip to Canada to gain further experience in the dairying industry. °

Vary little interest is taken in local polities at present. Nominations were called for a representative for the Opunake Ward on the Pariliaka Road Board, vice Mr. R. Warner, resigned, but no nominations were received. Probably the distance from the headquarters of the Board, about twelve miles', may be the deterrent. Still, Raliotu is in the centre of the road district, and is eminently suited for the headquarters. Somehow or another, the -ward system in vogue here, namely, dividing the district into six wards with'

separate representation i n does not appear to lie a success. Still, prior to its introduction tlie cry was that the p.irts farthest removed from the centre did not get proper representation, and now when the opportunity is given tliev do not seem over-anxious to avail themselves of the privilege. Residents of Raliotu are wondering 'when the ''powers that ho" intend moving in the erection of our post office. 'We were p!ea-cd when we heard that the sum of £BOO had been placed on the Estimates for the purpose, hut so far as we know the money is still thereat any rate, none of it lias been spent in the direction for which it was earmarked. However, Mr. Dive, M.P., is moving in the matter.

Raliotu still progresses and advances with the times', ill". A. F. Chapman, of the lower lvahui road, lias iust imported a motor-car. The car is a Calthorpe of latest design and handsome finish. .It; is understood that it will be available for hire, and if so it dhould be very much patronised, as at present, if one wishes to hire a car it is ne'eessary to 'send to New Plvmoutk.

Mr. Bert Jackson, who has been a resident here for some years, is shortly leaving, having accepted an engagement with the Xew Plymouth-Opunake Motor Transport Company.

The Raliotu Hall Committee is moving in the matter of fittingly celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of the new hall, which takes place on 31st March. Tt has not yet been definitely decided what shape the celebration will take, but it may be taken for granted that it will be something worthy of the occasion.

Mr. John Clark, who has been contracting along the coast for many years, left Rahotu last week for the King Country, where lie lias taken np a block of land near Te Kuiti. Hk' numerous friends wish him every prosperity in his new sphere. As a result of the last sports meeting, the Rahotu Athletic Club cleared about £9. Considering that the club was unable to hold the usual dance, this must be considered highly satisfactory. It is rumored that several weddings' are on the tapic. The heavy rains last week Hooded all the rivers in the district, and there were several wash-outs along the road. Numbers of settlers residing np the bush roads win have unbridgod rivers running through their sections were unable to get their cattle across to their sheds, and as a result were unable to get to the factory for at least one morning. I notice that the Taranaki County Council is discussing the question of again reducing the toll'gate charges on the motor-waggons, and, while not expressing any opinion either one way or the other on this question, i' would like to put in a plea for the humble bike. This i 3 the poor man's beast of burden, and does' not damage the road at all, not even as much as a pedestrian, and. yet the cyclist has to pay a toll of threepence, precisely as much as his more fortunate confrere on horseback, who certainly must do more damage to the road than the man on wheels. I would like to suggest to the Council l> that if it cannot see its way clear to wipe out this charge altogether it should at least reduce it to one penny, the same as is charged by other tollgates around the mountain. This would entail no hardship on the Council, particularly as it does not lay itself out to provide any special road for oyelists, who have simply to dodge road metal, ruts, etc., as best they can. Last week the Montgomery Company gave an entertainment in the local hall. • They had a very good attendance. Mess'rs. Bartle Bros, are making very good progress with the erection of their sawmill on the Arawhata road'. The firm expects to be cutting in about a fortnight. ihe Harvest Festival in connection with the local Methodist Church takes place on Sunday next, and the isale of ■produce on the fnl'owmsr Tuesday. The Church of .Kngland have purchased the building here that has i>een used for some time past as a Masonic lodgeroom. It is practically a new building. and with a little alteration should be eminently suitable for church purposes.

Tuesday, Bth February, was native pay-day here, Mr, ,T. B. Jack paying out a considerable amount of rent to the local native landlords,,who.assembled in full force to receive their respective portions. Everything, however, passed off very quietly, the natives being very oiderly. Constable Kelly, our zealous constable, patrolled the city in his uniform, but his services were fortunately not required.

Tennis, the popular summer game, has taken on here. Mr. Huglison has just opened a fine grass lawn in front of liis private residence, and on every fine evening it is fuily occupied by local players.

We all regret to learn of the death of Mr. Corrick's four-months-old daughter Kathleen, which occurred on Tuesday Bth February.

i am pleased to report that Mr. W. •f. Corkin, who has been in the New Plymouth Hospital for the past two or three weeks, is progressing favorably towards recovery.

500 600 Hep. Tl. W. A. Tyler . 31 26 10 — 67 J. Christian . 33 32 0 — 65 J. Colmer .. . 31 32 0 — 63 A. Clare . 2S 20 15 — 03 J, F. Shepherd . . 29 30 3 — 62 J. Rothery . 29 24 7 — 60 H. Kitchingman . 23 22 14 — 59 H. Baker .. 30 ret. 30 J. Guy 29 ret. 29