DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 209, 13 December 1910, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) AVAREA. The Government's flower garden, the Newall run, is now beginning to look very pretty with the ragwort blossoms. Really, something should be done to make the Maoris clear the weeds on that property. The settlers' farms adjoining are smothered with ragwort. For years they have been trying to keep it down, but what is the' use when the Maoris let the weeds seed, ripen, and blow all over the country?

The Taranaki Acclimatisation Society last week liberated 31X10 young trout in the rearing ponds. Farmers are now all busy clearing and ploughing their turnip ground ready for sowing the seed. Some have already sown. The milk supply at the local factory is still going up. The largest supplier now is bringing over 21001b daily, while two others are running ISOOlbs and IDOOlbs a day. The factory is now making close on thirty boxes of butter a day. The new engine ordered for the factory arrived the other day, but is not fixed up yet.

PUNIHO.

A quiet wedding' took place here on November 23 in the house of Mr. F. Gibbons, the parties being Miss Annie Gibbons, eldest daughter of Mr. Frederick Gibbons, and the late Mrs. M. M. B. Gibbons, to Mr. George Rodgers, late ot the Waikato district.

•Mr. Bredin, of the Puniho road, had the misfortune to fall off his horse last Sunday night, while he was riding after the cows, and hurt his collar-bone, necessitating medical treatment. The newly-appointed Presbyterian Home Missionary arriyed here last week, and the following gentlemen are the Puniho road committee: Messrs. Joseph MacEldowney, D. MacEldowney, J. Bredin, and F. Henry. Mr. J. MacEldowney is chairman, and Mr. J. Bredin secretary. The weather of late has been very dry, but, in spite of it, a large quantity of milk is being supplied tc* the local creamery. There is now over 2100 gallons a day put through. Mr. 0. Parker, of Warea, held a church service in the local schoolroom on Sunday evening.

URENUI.

The hall was filled on Saturday night for the children's concert in aid'of the school organ fund. The piece given was "Eva," compiled from "Uncle Tom's Cabin," describing Eva's home-coming until the time of her death, Mr. Pope, the headmaster, reading between the songs a sketch of Eva's life during that time. The songs sung by'all the children (which were excellently rendered) were as follows:—"Scatter seeds of kindness," "The Happy home," sweetly led by Master Verner Julian and Miss Sheard (both of these children have good voices). Then came "Home sweet home," "Far, Far away," "Thou art passing away," "My beautiful home," "I long to be there, to the land where Jesus dwelleth," "We watched 3ier breathing," and "Safe in the arms at Jesus." The whole concert was very fine, and the children, who had been trained by Mr. Pope and Misses Henderson and Julian, pupil teachers, acquitted themselves well. A word of praise is due to Miss M. Wilson, who so kindly played piano and organ. The proceeds, I hear, are over £6, which, I believe, will about pay the debt owing on the

organ,

Mr. Halcombe, chairman of the school committee, spoke a • few appropriate words, thanking the children and all who had so kindly assisted to carry the concert out. He stated that the organ money had nearly all been found by the children, being the proceeds from their concerts. He hoped that when the l annual school picnic came it would be well patronised. After the concert refreshments were handed round, after which the hall was cleared for the usual dance, which was well patronised, and kept going until 1.30 a.m. Mr. B. Rowe officiated at the piano, and Miss M. Wilson played some extras.' Mr. E. Butler, who was here, there and everywhere, made a capable M.C.

1 I notice that the farmers at Tarata have held a public meeting and appointed a vigilance, committee to deal with the weeds' pest; that all the roads in the district are represented on the committee, and that the committee drew up rules and it is expected that every farmer in the district will not only clear his own weeds but insist that his neighbor shall do the same. I think this is an excellent idea, and one that should also assist the inspector greatly in findinw out those who do not comply with the law. I recommend this idea to the farmers of this district, for we have our share of blackberry, etc., here.

What has become of our Farmers' Union branch here? I believe one was started some time ago, but it died a natural death. The farmers ought to form a branch, for there is. no doubt that the Union does a certain amount of good for the farmers. The wool is coming along now from Okoke, Uruti, Urenui, Miini, etc. Milking, of course, is in full swing, and grass is abundant everywhere, the late and present showers being allright.

The North Taranaki factory is now turning out 31 boxes of butter a day, and everything points to a good season. Mr. A.' Crawford's little boy. who was in the hospital for some weeks, is now home and nearly allright, Mr. Ferry's (Onaero) little boy vas taken to the New Plymouth Hospital last week suffering from scarlatina. Mr. E. H. Pepperill. an enterprising carrier, has just had a new and up-to-date waggon built, suitable for five or six horses, to cope with the growing re- | quirements of his trade. He is also having a new stable built.

EOMONT VILLAGE.

A large number of local resident- went * down to Stratford on the People's Day of 1 the Show. They speak in glowing terms J of the excellence of the arrangements for i a first year's effort. Olson Bros, took <lo\vn several exhibits of Ayrshire?, all of which secured prizes, including one ' champion. Mr. Geo. Marsh also annexed some prizes for two heifers which he showed. Xow that the round of shows is over the farmers are settling down to the work of getting the crops saved. Maincrops hay are down and some are already stored safely in the hams. I The school concert, for the purpose ot distributing the prizes, will be held on Friday next, when a good programme) will be presented to the audience. i The local cricket team, who this year are without the services of Inman, have so far failed to cover themselves with "lorv. Thev have won one match only, > that against 'lngWood, but the latter amply "atoned for their first defeat in the return match. The same okl storywant of practice—is the only thing to which their want of success can be attributed, as they have' the makings of a more than avenge "team. However, work cQmeg before pleasum awd some of Tiav^gniafaaiffiaiity.'iikggtr,

The recent rains, although hardly appreciated by townspeople, have worked wonders with the gardens and crops. The roads, too, which are apt to cut up under too lontj a spell of line weather. are now in tip-top order, much to the gratification of mountain trippers, motorists and cyclists. 'The early bird gets the worm" is a truism which has lately been brought forcibly home to some suppliers at the local factory. Last week several of the dilatory ones arrived at the factory to be met with the information that the machines had been stopped and that th» t milk could not be taken. One such lesson usually suffices. Several cases of milk fever (have occurred here lately, and in some instances valuable animals have been lo>t. The air pump is the remedy mostly tried, but even this treatment is not always effective.