DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 133, 27 November 1911, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

MAKETAWA. -y-" •' H! (From Our Own Correspondent). The weather for the past few weeks has been something out of the common, and the like has not been experienced for many a day. Hailstones of large size and in immense quantities fell in different parts' of the district, and the damage to garden crops is fairly severe. Rainwell, it seeimed at times as if some river had stood on end and fallen backwards; roads in consequence of the continued downpour are showing the need of repairs, and no doubt the road foremen of the district will have a busy time of it when the weather does take up. Wind, ah, now, one has said it—wind is 110 name for what we have had—cold' cutting gales of the 90-mile-squall order have raged at times', and the wonder is that more serious damage is mot recorded. So far I hsive heard of only one of any moment, and that was that the roof of Mr. J. Wisnewski's hayshed' had been scattered all over the place. Of course, minor damages, such as sundry boards being displaced, chimneys' knocked crooked, trees broken and uprooted, can be heard of all round, but the greatest damage of all has been to the cows. They absolutely refuse to ' work full time and it is not to be wondered at. Jfo one so far seenns to remember having had such a "doing" as has, taken place during the past month, and up to time of writing, just about five •weeks of con-, tinuoua dirty weather. The problem of winter fodder is causing some anxiety, and work outdoors is simply aA a standstill. I hope to have a more promising state of things to report in my next. Politics is exercising the minds of the electors of the sterner sex just at present, and' I'm thinking there's a warm time coming in the near future—certainly we want something more exciting than the monotony of bad weather and its consequent drawbacks. Mr. Hine has altered the date of his meeting in the Durham school 1 from Tuesday, November 28, to Thursday, 30th inst.

The forthcoming visit of the Premier to Inglewood is arousing considerable interest, and I learn that large numbers from all parts of the district, who want to hear "the other side of the yarn," propose attending to hear the address—where Inglejvood will find a hall big enough is a query, and the go-ahead people there should recognise that it is about time they took in hand the matter of erecting a theatre of a proper size; one that the importance of the town itself and the thickly populated country contiguous to it warrants. CJee up, Inglewood! A theatre for the peopl# and owned by the people every time! The petition circulated for supporting the loan to finish the metalling of Durham road west met with the fullest support of the residents, and I am glad to be able to report that the Moa Road Boaaxl is taking steps to obtain the money needed. Good roads mean more milk; more milk at the creamery means better for all concerned, so all pull together better for all. As Punieh would say, "That's the way to'do it!" I understand' a large lump of bush is being felled on the top <of Norfolk rood west, and I have no doubt a few years will show the need of either metalling that road right up or of opening one of the cross roads that come out on the Durham road. This would enable settlers on the land under notice to use the Durham creamery, and with the Bedford road 1 opened to Dudley road (only a little distance is unopened) settlers would saw considerable time in getting to their "fc 0 * , course ' rm ,ookin S ahead just a little, but it must come. Cretan Bros., of Durham west, are tumbling down a good sized piece of bush this season. The building of the concrete bridges on the Main road has begun, but the work is seriously hampered bv the terrible weather. Old Jupiter Pluvius and Boreas are distinctly fair as the laborer and farmer cannot crow over the other as to the treatment meted out. The large quantities of stone to be carted out .for the different roads should provide a fair amount of work for a considerable time; perhaps the difficulty will be getting the men.