DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 206, 9 December 1910, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

TOKO. (From Onr Own Correspondent). Whether Mr. J. B. Hiue by his recent actions has signed his political death warrant or not is a matter which the next election will decide, but that he has lost none of his personal popularity was evinced by his experience at Toko on Saturday night. The hearty and spontaneous welcome extended to him and Mrs. Hine by political friends and foes alike must be amongst the pleasing incidents of a somewhat stormy political career.

Several new buildings are in the course of erection in and around Toko. The site is being cleared for the Town Hall. When this hall, which is estimated to cost about £6OO, is erected, Toko 'will think no small beer of itself.

Mr. W. L. Kennedy has built two new shops upon the allotments previously held by Cluett and Co. At a meeting of the local Liberal Federation resolutions sympathising with Sir Joseph Ward in regard to the treatment he is meeting with at the hands of certain parties was passed. Evidently the position of Prime Minister is no sinecure.

The railway re-laying gang have now reached Toko, but it will be some time yet ere the big engines can work, owing to the fact that all the bridges are too light, and a general re-construction will be necessary.

Shearing is in full swing, though somewhat hampered by shortage of labor. The clip, though a trifle harsh, is well above the average, and there is every indication that this will be a record year in the local wool world. MAKETAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The glorious weather still continues, and is being taken full advantage of. At times the heat is almost unbearable, and if it were not for the heavy dews at aigM if/m afraid/ that what farmers would gain in one way they'd lose in another. The bye-roads are breaking up badly, and the loose stones make driving a milk-cart anything but pleasant. The Stock Department officials visited Durham-road on Monday last for the purpose of inoculating calves against blackleg. The settlers of Lower Dur-ham-road used Mr. Thos. Corney's farm as a rendezvous, while those of the upper portion of the road assembled at Mr. H. Dodunski's. At the latter place 294 calves were put through, the total for the two places being somewhere over 550. The Maketawa Dairy Co. is installing a clockwork-like weighing machine at the receiving stage. The machine, which, ! believe, is a Swedish invention, has been fitted into several factories in the colony, and has given full satisfaction. There is no doubt that it must be of material benefit to both manager and suppliers. The river Piakau, on the bank of which the Maketawa factory stands, seems to have a fair quantity of eels, for within the last few days Master Wm. Laurence has landed three of more than average size—one of 101b, another 81b, while the boss one of the lot measured 4ft lOin, with a girth of 15in, and' weighed about 221b. A year or so ago a goodly number of fishers 'had; a try to dislodge an eel, said to be of enormous size, which had taken residence in a hole in the same river, but without success. Arid yarns!

The Hine fiasco andi the Ward pamphlet are providing a good deal of discussion, and, regarding the former, opinion is freely expressed that the M.P. has been used by someone as a tool, while as to the pamphlet, there is not one that does else but denounce such a blackguardly method of-decrying the Premier. The Durham-road creamery, it is stated, will be running next week. 'Some delay has been occasioned through some parts of the machinery requiring alteration. Those interested have been doing a big growl at the delay, and it really seems as if there is a screw somewhere that wants tightening with a jerk. We who use the county road in the Moa portion are at a loss to understand the strictures passed on Foreman Jones' work by certain members of the Council. I should like to point out that those whose avocation lies behind the drapery or grocery counter are not such good judges as those who can and do use"the shovel and pick and 1 who daily drive a milk-cart or gig over the road under notice. And another thing, iwho pays, for it? When the growl comes from our end 1 then it will be time to question the why and wherefore. No, "Messrs the Council," you have a good conscientious workman in Jones. We know it, if you don't.

The Durham-road school picnic will take place on Thursday, 15th inst., in Mr. W. Langley's paddock adjoining the school. A concert will be held at night, with a dance to follow.