DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 72, 15 September 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents). OAKURA. Heavy rains have fallen within the ' last 48 hours, and everyone is looking forward to abundance of feed. Owing to the rain yesterday our riflemen did not, fire for the trophies, but will be doing so next Wednesday, weather permitting. I am glad to report that Sir. Looney has improved slightly, and is giving his friends and relatives hope for his recovery. Most of the others who have been ill lately are now in a fair way to recovery. The measles seem to have left the disfi-ict as suddenly as they appearsd. Probably there are no more victims available.

I believe we are to have new settlers on Mr. Wareham's old farm, and that Messrs. Scott and Anderson arc coming on to it shortly.

Verily, we are having a crowd of new settlers around us, and we hope tint they will be real live men, with a little bit of. means which go towards making life pleasant a round them. Within six months somewhere about fifteen farms have chattered hands. Land is either increasing in value here, or else being overestimated. A good many of the shift* have been exchanges for other places, which T consider is one of the worst kinds of land gambling that we have at present in the colony. Otic farmer puts on-about £2 per acre a-hove the real value of his land, and then looks round to find someone simple enough to deal him another farm, which is valued at about as much ■Mow his value. He invariably makes a deal, and thinks he has done a fine thing, but after holding his new jwssession for a few months he finds that the other man was equally clever, and probaibly had about £5 to the acre the better of him. The Government are always waging war against the bookmakers and the totalisator, but the land gambler goes free, and waxes fat.

Several of the farmers around here have sold the oil rights of their farms to a syndicate, and I believe boring is to be commenced within eighteen months or the rights forfeited. I hope they have not been too hasty, and sold too soon. If oil is to be a paying game about here their oil rights are going to be worth more than they are getting now. What we do want, and whit would pav handsomely, is a light railway line right through to Opunake. Land would be worth' a little more then, and the struggling farmer would have a chance to pull things together. -Only those who live on the Main South road have any idea of the vast amount of heavy carriage that there is down the coast; and a light railway would more than pay expenses. Eight years ago I prophesied that there would be a rail to Urenni wanted badly within the next few years, and now the settlers arc moving that way, hut rather slowly. If we want one this way within the next ten years we will have to move at once, and move at a fair pace too. Now is the time to strike at the Government. What a grand idea it would be for the present Government to promise a line through here. As it is getting near election time, surely a member making such a promise would completely rout the Opposition dawn this way. I think I will write to Sir Joseph and point out the advantage of such a promise to him.

PUBANGI. The season, has been an exceptionally fine one in this district for slieep, anil a record one for lambs is promising. The loss of cattle has been rather great, compared to other winters, but welcome rain has now fallen, which will have a beneficial effect on.the grass. Several farms have changed hands in this district this last few weeks, and a large amount of bush is being felled this season. .., .

We hear nothing of the Rifle Club these times. Has it died a natural death?

Tlie roads in the district are in splendid order for this time of the year, and are quite dusty—a most unusual thing in Tarnnaki.

Mr. MeCluggnge, the Government candidate, addressed the electors here last week, and was greeted with a crowded house, the schoolhouse being packed. He was {riven a very good hearing, and lie answered all his questions satisfactorily. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded him, and after the meeting a strong and energetic committee was formed to work for him. So far Mr. Hine, the sitting member, has not visited here, but a. meeting of his supporters was called for Saturday night with the object of forming a committee.

Matters political are not so one-sided as they were at last election, and the general opinion is that the Government candidate will have a good chance. Purangi settlers are waking up to the fact that the Mangawaopi track, when opened up, brings them within six or seven miles of the TCiore railway station, and it is in the interests of the district that the Stratford Countv Council should not delay in spending the money available for opening up this rond.

MiDinnsT. Last Friday night tha Midhirst school held its annual concert and dance. Mr. W. Mountford, chairman of the school committee, was in the chair. The following programme was rendered:— Pianoforte duet. Misses E. TTuse and M. Hutcheson; drill song, school children; song, Miss Uhlenberg; recitation, Miss Mona Baskin; song, Miss Jean Seabright; operetta. "The home that Ja<?k built," school children; song, Mr. AVilkie; violin obligate, Master H. Mail; song, "Baby Bun ting," school children; recitation. Master Eric Fenwick; fan song, school girls; song, Mr. Wilkie; playotte, "Cinderella," school pupils; reading, Mr. Mail; song "I don't want to play in your backvnrd." Misses Jean Seabi-ight and A. Smith; "Ex-position of the Mystic Ghost," by Maskelyne Ghost. After the nrogramme was over, refreshments were handed round, to which everyone did full justice. A most enjoyable dance was held afterwards. The manv friends of Mr. and Mrs. Schofield will be sorry to hear of the severe illness of Mr. Schofield, who is prostrated with an attack of pneumonia, and will wish him a speedy recovery to health and strength.

EOMOXT VILLAGE. The grand snoll of fine weather broke up to-day (Tuesday), when a much need rain started to full and continued throughout the day. The first special meeting of the Debating Society was held on the 7th inst., when Mr. fl. F. Dewliirst presided over a fair attendanee of members. "Mr. M. Marsh "are notice to move at the next meeting of the society that "wherever possible business matters be left over to one meeting in file month." The programme for the evening was impromptu speaking, and a good range of subjects , was drawn, all of which were fully discussed. The first was. "Should New ZeaI land adopt the daylight saving system?" I Mr. M. J. Marsh opened in the negative.

(The voting wa.s: Affirmative 2, negative 3. hSeeond came "Did the late English } strike benefit the workers';" Mr. H. W. Baxter opened in the affirmative, but was defeated on the votes by live to two. I Then followed "Is timber file toest build-1 ing material '!" Mr. L. James was drawn and spoke in the negative, which'side I prevailed by four votes <to tthree. "Should the Chinese be adm'ited to> New Zealand?" concluded the evening's gramme. Mr. E\ Dewhirst opened in the affirmative. The voting was: Affirmative 2, negative 4. The cricket club intend holding its annua] meeting very shortly. It is hardly likely that a team will be entered for the Saturday competition, as the ranks of the players have been thinned to some extent, since last season. Mr. A. Mcßeth is progressing favorably after his operation in New Plymouth last week.