DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 234, 11 February 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) URUTI. 4 There is still further evidence to be ob- ' served in the steady growth of this dairying and wool-growing centre. A money-order office will in all probability lie added to the post office witnin a few weeks. Messrs Jupp and Mallett are already clearing the ground for the purpose of building a modern and more commodious store to enable them to cope with the growing needs of the district. The schools have been re-opened in Uruti and Uruti-road, with an increased number of pupils, and are looking eagerly forward to a very profitable year. All the residents and travellers will be pleased to learn that burnt papa is to be laid on the road for a considerable, distance towards Mt. Messenger, which will considerably relieve the situation tnis coming winter of the depth of mud which obtained last winer, when the mail coach in certain places seemed almost to take a leap out of sight, and one wondered whether it would re-appear on the other side or not. It is the gravest folly on the part of the County Council to allow the roads to deteriorate into such a horrible quagmire as existed on this part of the county road last year. A little attention is more politic and economical on the part of that administrative body than neglect, which is ultimately found to he the costliest method of pro-' cedure. A dance was held in the hall last Thursday evening, when most of the young people gathered together for the purpose of indulging in the terpsichorcan pastime. I looked in and observed geniality and happiness written upon every beaming face. I only saw two "wallflowers." These gatnerings in Uruti are a model to the surrounding districts, of which I have intimate knowledge. The' Methodist bush bazaar is creating enthusiasm as the time for its celebration draws near.

A splendid service was held last Sunday afternoon by Mr. M. Ayrton in the house of Mr. Sutton's, "Glenroyd" (near the mountain). There was a very representative gathering of the settlers who live in the vicinity.

A large number of bush fires have been burning this hast week. It was only after frreat difficulty that Mr. D. Fraser was able to save his cottage (occupied by Mr. Ansters) this week. The house had to be watched and flooded with water for the whole of one night in order to save it from being burnt. An accident occurred the other night to Mr. A. MeMastcr, of Mangahea. Whilst riding home he was thrown from his horse, but happily the fall did not result in injury of a serious nature. WAITAAKGA PLAINS. There has been quite a number of visitors in this district during the last few weeks. Great interest was aroused in the visit of the Taranaki Land Board, consisting of the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. Simpson), Messrs Heslop, Eattenbury and Kennedy. Mr. E. Tolme, our, genial and impartial ranger, directed the contingent along the quagmire known as the Xorth road towards Mangaroa. Mr. Hagenson, an enterprising settler, who has erected a fine homestead, offered the party hospitality and accommodation. The Board was most agreeably surprised to find such comfortable homos carved out in the bush, they visiting Messrs. Von Stunner's, Scott's, and Matson's. The beautiful homesteads, each with gardens full of fruit and vegetables, indicate hard toil and indomitable enersry on the part of the settlers. One settler falls for signal mention. There is no road to the section and in order to build a house all the material had to be carried'a distance of over a mile. All the timber used was pit-sawn by Matson and his son, and they put up the house in a workmanlike manner. The work reflects great credit upon them. The necessity for a school was urged upon the visitors, who happened to have in their party a member of the Education Board. This was viewed favorably, and it is believed that within measurable distance we shall have a school established upon these Plains. The necessity was also pointed out for having the remaining block of Waro S.D. lands opened for settlement, as this is keeping the district in a state of stagnation. \")n the South road the .settlers, who have been there a little longer, have literally converted the bowling wilderness into a smiling garden and the most; urgent need of these stout-liearted pioneers of the forest is for tile Government to fulfil its pledges in providing them

with roads upon which they can travel with some degree of safety. The road from Mr. Whitton's corner to the junction of the North roiU is in a deplorable state, and constitutes a serious menace both to life and limb. An accident tbok place last week which might have been attended with serious- results. Mis» | Jessie Whitton was returning to her home when tne foot of the horse caught I fast in one of the apologies for bridges. She was thrown-violently on the rough track but luckily escaped uninjured. The Rev. lluchin visited here last week for the first time. The Methodist Missioncr Mr. Ayrton, hold service last Sunday morning in Mr. Whitton's garden, the service being well attended by the settlers and heartily enjoyed. He is expected here again during March. WAIONGONA. The long spell of dry weather lias considerably reduced the supply of milk at the creamery, but the tests are a little higher. Mr. 8., Atkinson's stables were burned to the ground on Tuesday evening, shortly after 4 o'clock. Mr. Atkinson had been burning blackberries, and the fire spread from some logs to the stables. Most of the implements storea in the buildng were saved. There was no insurance on building or implements. Last Friday a gale- commenced to blow from the south and lasted for five days. Many farmers are taking advantage ol favorable conditions and burning oft' fern and other troublesome weeds.

TIKORANGI. As forecasted in my previous notes, the Clifton County Council at their last meeting essayed to deal with the question of collecting rates from occupiers of native lands, and passed a resolution asking the Valuer-General to sec that in the revision of values now being made all ocupiers and owners he correctly placed upon the roll. Unfortunately, the effect of this, resolution can only be to shelve the matter for a further period, and councillors should know that they are asking the Valuer-General to accomplish a task which by very virtue of his position is almost an impossible one. The obvious course to be pursued is for the council to prepare a list of the various properties, together with the names of the occupiers, and forward it. to the proper quarter. If this was done, (and no serious difficulty presents itself for councillors living in the district must be much more conversant with the actual occupancy of these lands than officials in Wellington), the work of the Department would be 1 much simplified, and the Clifton County Council coula honestly claim to have done its pan it hastening the desired end. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Tikorangi Public Library was held last week, Mr. L. Faull presiding. The committee's report and statement of accounts, which showed a small credit balance, were adopted, and the whole of the outgoing officers re-elected; and, in conformity with a resolution increasing the number of members of the committee, the names of Messrs. D. Snell, L. Lye, H. Alexander and 11. Cole were added thereto.

The picnic in connection with the Weslcyan Church was held on Thursday in Mr. R. F. Lye's grounds. It being a perfect day, there was a large attendance, an additional attraction being a cricket match, married v. single, which was won by the Benedicts on the first innings by the narrow margin of one run. Races and games for the children were provided; also a hobble-skirt race. The tea tables, which were laid in the bush, were presided over by Mesdames D. Alexander, R. Lye and Miss West, assisted by other willing helpers. The monthly records of the local dairy company still continue greatly in excess of previous years, the supply of milk for January being 925,9361b5, or nearly 200.0001bs more than that of the' corresponding month of 1910. The aver-' age test was 4.06. As proof of better | farming, it may be interesting to notei that although the milk, supply of this] company is drawn from a smaller area than was the ease three or four ago, yet the annual output of bvitter has increased since then by over thirty per cent.

The Postal Department has favorably considered the representations of the settlers, and arrangements arc now complete for a tri-weekly mail service and also for the sale of postal notes; -\t the Tikorangi office.