DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 76, 20 September 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

j (From Our Own Correspondents). I WAITAKA ROAD. The annual meeting of the Waitara Dairy Co. was held in the factory on Friday last. About forty shareholders were present. Mr. J. H. Smith, chairman, presided. The report stated that a new vait had linen installed, salt and storeroom erected at the factory, and a much needed improvement made at the creamery by the erection of a covered over delivery stand. The plant, machinery and buildings had the necessary attention to keep them in a good state of preservation, and generally the property is in good order. The milk supply had further increased, and about 1,000,0001bs more was received than in the .previous year, the December supply running to over 1,000,0001b5. The increases in butter-fat and butter were proportionate with the increased milk supply, the latter increase being within a few pounds of twenty-four tons. The average test was 4.24. It took 19.81bs of milk to make a pound of commercial butter. The price received by shareholders will be the merest fraction over on shilling per pound. The chief items in the balance-sheet were:—Milk, £ll,232 (is 4d, general expenses £975 4s Bd, wages £448 Is 4d, butter boxes £2OB 13s, by gale butter £14,413 los 3d, buttermilk £4O 14s, distributed as bonuses £1448 17s lid. Messrs Fulton, Riowe, Thomas and Hall were nominated for two seats on the directorate, Messrs. Hall and Rowe being elected. Messrs. Percival and Messenger were appointed auditors.

Fencing posts are getting difficult to obtain at a satisfactory price about here. I might mention that a Waitara person has lately imported an American machine for making concrete posts, a sample of which can now be seen on the Waitara road. Strainers are also made of the same material.

We are enjoying a line warm rain, which will be veTy welcome. Mr. Bracegirdle has bought part of Mr. Allen's farm on the Waitara road, and has taken up his residence here.

WAIONGONA. The bachelors of the district gave their first annual social in the schoolroom on Friday night last. The weather was fine, and the function proved a great success. Excellent music was. supplied by Mr. Cottier's orchestra, extras being played by Misses Giddy, Henwood, and Cumberworth. Songs were contributed by Messrs. L. Henwood and Thornley, the latter responding to an encore. At about 11.30 p.m. supper was handed round, and after a short interval dancing commenced again with new vigor. The duties of M.C. were efficiently carried out by Mr. H. Wills. The floor was in perfect order and reflects great credit on the committee, who worked to make everything such a decided success. The company dispersed about 2 a.m. after spending a most .pleasant time. There is money in hand after paying all expenses, and the committee are desirous of starting a hall fund with it, and hope at some near date to call a public meeting to discuss the matter. No doubt they will .receive the district's strong support. OAKURA. ' Verily we are making up for the dry spell we have had —plenty of rain now, and not too cold. The grass should make good headway now, and the cows milk well. The feed at present is rather short about here. I noticed that further down, at Punilio, and as far as Pungarehua, the grass is not only .longer but looks much fresher than about hero. 1 don't exactly see.why this should be. The land is practically the same. Perhaps the farmer is more scientific, and farms his land more advantageously. There has been too ntuch selling out and dealing in land here to permit of it being farmed to the best advantave. When a man buys a place in the expectation of selling again at a profit, he is not inclined to spend too much cash in improving his place, and consequently the land is going back for want of systematic manuring. Our Hille Club fired for trophies today, and are firing a match with the Guards on Thursday. A hall will be held on Thursday evening, when the trophies won at the last contest will be presented to the winners. The scores to-day were as follows: 200 500 COO Hp.Tl. J. Smith 24 28 28 25 105 C. Mace 30 34 30 3 07 ,T. Gyde 30 25 30 12 07 P. Aroa 33 27 23 10 03 F. Mace 33 20 32 Trophy firing is to take place now evcrv Wednesday.