DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 258, 10 March 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKETAWA. (Frem Our Own Correspondent). At a meeting of those suppliers to the Maketawa Dairy Factory who were interested in arranging a picnic, etc., the following were elected a working committee:—Messrs W. Stevens, W. Brown, Hall (2), Marshall (2), Hawkworth, C. Grant, R. Thomas, J. Brown; joint secretaries, E. Taylor and F. Brown; judges, Messrs IT. Johnston, Marshall, Stevens, T. Corncy and J. Brown; gatekeeper, Mr. A. Lawrence; clerk of course, Mr. J. Simpson. The committee are already hard at work perfecting arrangements for the affair, which will be held in Mr. Marshall's paddock on April 6. The ladies of the district, as was the case last year, will provide refreshments, etc., and the usual events connected with the athletic portion of the day's outing have been arranged in a very attractive programme, so that, given a fine day, the Maketawa Factory's second picnic should draw a larger crowd than the previous affair, which still clings to the memory as one of the best day's amusements ever held in this part. A charge will be made for admission to grounds, the tickets (which include two lunch-' eons) being, family tickets 2s Cd, single tickets Is (id, and it isn't possible to find a growler at that, surely. I omitted to mention that Messrs Thomas, W. Brown and W. Stevens will act as handicappers, and Mr. C. Grant handles the pistol. The milk supply went down with a run i consequent on the bitterly cold southeast wind during last week, and though at present the weather is very warm the recovery has not been anything to talk about. Those in the district who have good crops of maize report that notwithstanding heavy rations of the fodder, "Madame Cow" could not stand against tke adverse conditions. More shelter from wind wanted!

A good deal of discussion has occurred round this way as to the benefit of lime dressings to the soil, the upshot being that several residents have decided to give it a trial. Taking into consideration the Southland district and here and there individual experiments, I think it a step in the right direction to give the stuff a trial. I notice the Agricultural Department are experimenting- with lime and other manures, and the result will be eagerly scanned. In the meantime, any information as to the use. etc., would be thankfully received. Users please note! , >

The pupils of the Durham-road School are on their mettle just now. Mr. Johnstone, milking machine expert, employed by Mr. F. Hodges, having promised a gold medal to the pupil (boy or girl) who shows the greatest improvement for the year, attendance to count. Having seen the trophy I am pleased to report that the scholar that wins it will have a present that would do justice to a school of several hundreds. The secretary of the committee and the chairman have each promised a, prize for the most, popular boy or girl, so the "young'uns" arc fairly busy. Very big broods of quail are noticed this year, and, no doubt, those who have had to sow grass seed will have reason to wish they had never been imported. After the big fire a few years back several of the birds were shot and they were found literally crammed with ryegrass and clover seeds. One resident informs me he has found a nest with 17 <!ggs and broods of 10 to 14 have been counted, so you see the farmer has something to expect when dozens of broods of that number are on the warpath.

LINCOLN ROAD. The recent rains have freshened the grass up, and the paddocks are again looking green, but the dry spell has loosened stones on the roads, which consequently ate very rough. The recent fires did more good than harm round about here. Most of the cows, however, are almost dry. A meeting of settlers was he,ld in the school on Monday night last to discuss the advisability of having a creamery erected here. *Mr. 11. J. «M. Thompson presided. After considerable discussion, it was decided that Messrs Glassford, Thompson and Young should wait on the directors Moa Dairy Co. on Monday next re taking in the creamery, etc. About 320 cows were guaranteed at the meeting. As this is the second or third attempt to move in this matter, it is to be hoped the promoters will meet, with the success they deserve. e The Bristol road contractors have made good progress with their work. Another fortnight's fine weather will see Mr. Tarry's contract completed. 'Mr. Maekay, the bridge contractor, has a large staff of hands on,/ and is now practically out of danger's reach, he having had only one small mishap, i.e., the temporary bridge'having 'been swept away during the last rains.