DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 26 January 1911, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

MAKETAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather for the past fortnight or so has been very unsatisfactory for haymaking, being of a very catchy nature. Some crops have been put under roof without receiving a soaking, while others have had to lie out on account of rain. For the Inglewood district, which as looked upon as the wettest part of the province, ensilage making will have to be resorted to extensively. Regarding turnips, many crops are looking splendid, while others give promise of being poor, the grub or fly having seriously affected them; maize has been planted largely in the district this year, the experience of small plots last year having been satisfactory. A farmer on Durham road relates a curious happening regarding a swarm of bees. He has a few poxes of the busy chaps, amongst which was a disused one. Noticing some bees going in and out of the latter he turned the box up for investigation, finding nothing but some pieces of comb. He had hardly replaced the box when he noticed a very large swarm oE bees coming along in the distance. The swarm made for the empty box, and have taken up their residence there. Such an occurrence has never been heard of this way, and the query now is, "Do bees send out scouts?"

I am very pleased to report that Mrs. Joe Corney, sen., who some time back was seriously ill with paralysis, is making wonderful progress towards complete recovery, which fact cannot help giving great pleasure to her many friends in all parts of the district. Stone carting in accordance with county tenders is all the go just now, the depot near Durham road showing signs of good work having been done in the river. Messrs. Corney and Co. have completed their contract to the Moa Road Board for boulders for Durham road, so, with the metal for the road and also that needed for the creamery, stone nappers are out for a picnic.