DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 376, 29 April 1910, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondents.) TIKORANGI. Miss Cowlcs. who is resigning her position as assistant at the Tixorangi school, was the recipient yesterday of a handsome .silver-mounted hand mrriot presented by the pupils. Mr. W. Carriek has sold nis farm on the Ngatima.ru road, and it is reported that the farm lately sold by Mr. A. C. Marr has again changed hands. Mr. Thos. Hine, of Wanganui, visited the district last week and renewed old acquaintances. The Rev. Harrison, the new Anglican minister, will hold his first service in St. Lute's Church next Sunday evening. The result of the Federal elections shows what is possible for earnest and determined men to accomplish, and I think it may almost be regarded as an axiom that those win who deserve to. It is interesting and also instructive to contrast the organisation and devotion of the Labor Party to what they consider their interests, with the apathetic attitude of the farmers to their union. The members of the labor unions cheerfully pay their subscription of from sixpence a week upwards, but to draw a paltry six or ten shillings annually from the average farmer is so exhaustive a task that secretary after secretary ol the various branches of their union gave it up in disgust, the .branches quietly and slowly expiring from senile decay. .So long as this condition prevails farmers will continue in a .position of political impotence, and, indeed, it is not surprising that seeing the scurvy treatment which they accord their own political organisation the general public dread any preponderance on the part of the farmers in matters pertaining to the government of the Dominion.

Xow that the evenings are growing longer it is to be hoped that some attempt will, be made to. provide through the winter months some amusement and recreation for the young people and for the older ones;, too. for that matter. Man is after all very largely the creature of environment and there is a grave danger of pushing the cult of "getting on" to a point when the evolution of the best traditions of our race may become atrophied. MAKETAWA. We have lteen experiencing very cokl weather, with a three-part gale from the south, accompanied at times uy sleet. The milk supply to the factory is coming down rapidly. Many farmers' cows will be coming into profit again in July and another early season is in prospect. A working bee of settlers of the Norfolk school district is called for Friday. The object is to provide wood for schoo 1 use for the coming winter, and such a laudable .purpose should bring out a large muster. Mr. H. Trimble has kindly consented to let the wood be taken off his section. In the fact of all difficulties that country schools have to meet on the small allowance for capitation, I understand the Education Department has discontinued the special grant hitherto made; this adds to the trial of school committees by lesseninir funds, a nil it is easily understand why working bees are necessary. lain pleased to notice that the bundle of "News" left by the mail train is constantly getting larger, ' and I feel sure that readers will more and more ap.prieiate their bein? able to get the latest commercial and other oubsidlq news every morning.

EGMONT VILLAGE. Mr. and Mrs. A. Morton returned on Monday from Auckland, where they have been spending a holiday. The Loyal Picture Co., under the directorship of Mr. R. J. Frewin, patd its initial visit to our Village on Tuesday night. Mr. George Marsh supplied the overtures and other necessary music. The night was bitterly cold and there was not such a large audience as might have been desired from the management's point of view. However, a really first-class show of comic, pathetic, and dramatic films kept the audience in a goo:l humor and everyone went away satisfied with the evening's entertainment. What might have been the second case of a complete destruction by fire occurred during the week, when Mr. M. Martin's house oe light fire. The promnt action and presence of mind of the owner, however, saved the situation and very little damage was done. In country districts such as ours, where there is no regular water supply, one cannot be too careful, as it is practically impossible to save a building once fairly alight.

OAKURA. The weather has been rather fickle out our way lately. Some days have been very rough, ,blowy and cold, while' other on the other hand have been as warm as summer. However, we are getting towards winter now, and must expect changes. The big gale out here blew most of the cow..-; considerably oft' their milk, and some farmers are now milking onfy once a day. A dance was held in the hall on Thursday, 19th inst., to raise funds to clean up the cemetery reserve, and was well patronised. Mrs. George's full orchestra supplied the music, 'which was all that could be desired. On Tuesday night a farewell social was given to Miss Tie id, who is leaving shortly 011 a trip round the world. The hall was simply packed, there being scarcely one homo in Oakura that was not represented. Dancing commenced at eight o'clock and was kept up until 2 a.m. The following contributed songs during the evening:—Miss Barrett, Mr, Sumner. Mr. Stewart, Miss .Stock ley, Mr. Pen ward en and Mr. Andrews. A recitation, "The Curtain," vm given by Mrs. Frank Aroa. During the evening Miss Eeid was presented with a beautiful travelling rug and a gold brooch hy the residents of the district, thirty-five contributing towards the present. Captain Mace, in a fow well chosen words, made the presentations, and Mr. (Harrison, on Miss lleid's behalf, thanked the contributors for their gifts and good wishes, Miss Eeid has been among us for about four years, and during that period, by her good mature and being always so willing to assist with everytnitog that •was going, has won the good wishes of everyone in the district, and I am sure that flne and all wish her a pleasant trip and a really good holiday and hope that .some <Jay she may return to Oakura. Farms are changing hands round here. Mr. Arndt has sold his place and is leav ing us ih about three weeks' time. Mr. W. Richardson has also sold his farm ■ivd Surrey Hill and will be shifting ikortty. '