DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 68, 11 September 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

AIATAU. (From Our Own Correspondent). Crass, or the want of it, is the main talk of the place. Jn my experience of some years it has never been so short, the dry autumn being the cause and perhaps heavy stocking in anticipation of a wet autumn. However, from what 1 see and hear we are no worse off than those adjoining us and further afield. If anything, we are better.

The amusements this winter have not been ninny. The bachelors hcild their annual ball in two instalments. The night set for it was none tod good, hut as some people bad come from a distance the dance was carried out and a very enjoyable night spent. The main dance was held two nights later, when a better attendance was made. Both afl'-iirs were very successful, and great credit is due to the management for their labor under the adverse circumstances. Air. Ernest Dewar lias been a very efficient and thoughful secretary. We hive lost a very useful settler in Air. P. Sarten, who lias sold his farm here and gone up Itawera way. He was chairman of the late Dip Association and sports committee, and was a very active worker for the district, a very careful and shrewd man in these matters.

There has been a meeting called of settlers to petition their county (Clif- \ ton) to tike over a portion of the Stratford County, in which the main road to the Iviore railway station from : the Alatnu settlement runs. As this road is onlv used by this settlement they think that the upkeep of it should be in their hands. It lias been blocked several times this year, causing great inconvenience to us, as the supplies for the place come that way. I believe the Government intend to help in the matter, and I don't see why not. as it is our principal and nearest road (only two others about twelve miles further up) to their railway. There is very little indeed, outward' and inward, that does not go ly that road. There are no residences oil the Stratford county part of this road, so really the Stratford Council have little interest in its upkeep. It is td be hoped that something will be done in this matter,, a.s our food supplies and necessaries' come from there, also our produce goes to their town for sale. We wait anxiously for the Government to assist. They say they will at all times help to give access to their railways. Air. J. AlcGluggage addressed the

electors here on the 28th, and gave us an .-ukircss somewhat on the lines of his Whanga one. He had a good hearing. He answered several questions and afterwards chatted with the settlers, listening to their grievances (these meetings as a rule are full of them), and was voted a unanimous vote of thanks for his address. As he is so well-known amongst us, he could, as he did afterwards, chat freely amongst them, lie knew all their troubles, and gave advice, etc., and I hope gave them solace. I see now we are not to be without amusement. The ladies are to give a return ball to the bachelors, also another bull independent of both is to be held. By all appearances very little butter will be made here this season. Cows have given way to sheep, and the loss in cows has been rather heavv this winter, but 1 hear all around a lot of stock has been lost bv death.

TIKORAXGI. . Notwithstanding the fact, that the annual concert in connection with the public liltrarv was nut as well attended as usual, the committee have every reason to be satisfied with the efforts made to provide their patrons with an enjoyable evening. An excellent programme was submitted, and the items by the orchestra, consisting of Mrs. Arnold (leorge. (piano), Mr. (.'hong (violin), and Mr. Wyllie (cornet), were enthusiastically received. In her first song, Mrs. Cutler. j who made her first appiaranee before a Tikorangi audience, at once installed herself as a favorite, and perhaps the duet "Excelsior'' by this lady and Mr. Aslicr was (he gem of the evening. Mrs. Hayden and Miss Chong acquitted themselves well, the. last-named having to respond to a well deserved encore. \Vaitara was represented by Miss liadley and Messrs. Ili'ckb'.'si'-ingcr. Stamp and Farmer, and needless to say these vocalists are always assured of a hearty welcome at TLkoraugi, Mr. Farmer, of course, being the especial darling of the "gods." Mrs. C. Cray and Miss TnrnluiH each contributed a song, the latter having to re- j spond to an encore. At the close of the I concert, Mr. Fa nil, on behalf of the library committee, thanked all who had so kindly contributed to the entertainment, after which supper was handed round and the hall then cleared for the usual dance, the music for which was supplied by .Mrs. dcorge's orchestra in a most artistic manner. j

The announcement of Ihe resignation of the Hon. (Jeorge Fowlds was generally received with considerable surprise, anil many find it. diliieult to believe that at last a Cabinet Minister has been really evolved who prefers principles to ollice. In fact, the backing and filling of the present Cabinet on matters of any moment has been so marked as to lend point to Russell Lowell's jibe that: "A merciful providence fashioned ns holler on purpose that we may our principles swallcr." Indeed, if each'member of the Cabinet who had been compelled to relinquish his beliefs and principles were to resign there would be only the two Maoris left. For the evident desire of Sir J. Carroll and the Hon. Mr. Xgala to build up a system of landlordism by which their compatriots may exploit white tenants, has been so'consistently supported by the Ward Administration that it appears to be the one and only palnk which they have not thrown overboard.

The nights have been quite frosty and a warm rain would now have a most beneficial effect on tin; milk supply. Tin 1 pending prosecutions for breaches of the county by-laws are being awaited with considerable interest. The general opinion appears to be that the by-laws should have provided (hat light traffic should be exempted from the operation of the clause relating to width of tyres. . Tt is rumored that matters in connection with a Stale school in an adjoining district are not proceeding as smoothlv as might be desired. Mr. (.'(Hiding has purchased Mr. Cross' line leasehold property of (i()0 acres on the Olaoroa road.