DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 136, 17 September 1910, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Our footpaths are now, or soon will be, an accomplished fact. The kerbing has been laid down ready for the filling, and ere long it will be perfectly safe to walk almost the full length of our city diy-shod. The Road Board, not to be outdone by the County Council, have also decided on a progressive policy, and at the last meeting it was decided to form a footpath along Ivahui road from the main road to the Board's office. The kerbing for this is to be of concrete. Talking of progress, it is evidently a sign of the times. Although we have had numerous promises from the "powers that be" in connection with our new post office, we had begun to consider it a dead letter, and consequently were agreeably surprised to see by the "Daily News" that tenders were being called. Even now there are may who are inclined to be sceptical and will not believe until they see the building in course of erection. Tenders, they argue, have been called on previous occasions with no result. An influential deputation is to be forwarded 1 to Wellington'to impress on the Premier the need for a railway to this isolated district. He probably knows it already, and it is difficult to understand what effect the deputation will have beyond the usual now non-commital reply. Possibly the visit of several M.P.'s to this district a week or so ago will ensure a more than usual sympathetic hearing for the deputation. The railway has been/promised for years and should undoubtedly be gone on with. When discussnng the matter at the Parihaka Road Board meeting on Wednesday members were of opinion that an endeavor should be made to get the railway past' Opunake. Other members, however, said: "Let us get it ,to Opunake first; we can then fight to get it further." One member hit the mark when he said that the landowners should rate themselves for a railway right remind the mountain from New Plymouth, which he considered would pay handsomely. He was of opinion they would do so if the Government would let them. The surprising thing to my mind is that New Plymouth is so apathetic in the matter. Unless they are very careful the trade from this district will be diverted to other directions. 1 Mr. John Knowles, son of Mr. J. B. Knowles, met with a serious accident on Tuesday. . He was engaged felling bush on the Kina road when a limib fell and struck him on the aide. He was brought into Mr. Baker's boarding-house and attended to by Dr. Barron, who found that he had broken a blood-vesstl. It will be some time before he is able to get about. Mr. M. McHanigan, the genial road foreman for years past for the Egmont of .the Egmont County Council, lias resigned his position and has removed to Pihama, where he intends to go in for farming. Mr. D. McClymont, who has been manager of Messrs Hughson and Sons' drapery department here, is leaving shortly. Durincf his residence here Mr. McClymont has taken an active interest in local affairs, and has always been ready to assist, so that he will be missed. Mrs. W. R. Wright, who has 'been away for the last three months on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Faber, Wanganui, returned on Saturday. During her absence she went 6n an extended trip to Australia, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. •Fajber, visiting Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Mr. Ward is making good progress with the erection of a residence on the Kahui road for Mr. Vince. . The milking season is now in full swing. Cows are coming in well, feed is" becoming plentiful, and prices are going to be good, so that the poor farmer is evidently going to do well. In fact, it is said that some of them (not in this district) have been seen to smile.

The local_ factory is still making butter and is likely to do so for some time, as in addition to the good price ruling for butter skim millc is better than whey for feeding calves. The high prices ruling for cattle is also causing the slaughter of the innocents to be less pronounced this season than usual. There apears to' be a good demand i for horses in the district, and several dealers 'have lately been around. The hockey club wound up the season with a most enjoyable social in the hall tra Friday night.' There was a good attendaijce, and as the committee had made perfect arrangements, everything went off most satisfactorily from "bullyoff" at 8 p.m. until time was called in the wee sma' 'oors. Mr. Fielder made a capable M.C., whilst the fact that Mr. Knowles presided at the piano was sufficient guarantee for. the music. During the evening songs were given by Miss Bertha Barrell, Messrs Kelly and K. Andrews, dances by Miss Rookes, and club-swinging by Mr. Turner. k Su.