DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 205, 27 February 1912, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

TOKG. (Fr<m Our Own Correspondents). The annual meeting in connection with the Toko settlers' annual picnic and sports was held in the Coronation Hall on Friday evening last, a fair number being present. The annual report and balance-sheet, which proved very satisfactory, was adopted. It was decided to hold the sports on March 28, and by the way the committee are taking things in hand it should prove a great success. There is a credit balance to conrmenoe the year with of £22 2s 9d, and already sub*!!:-ipl'.(;ii.i are coming in freely, one man heading the list with £5 ss, so things are looking bright for Toko's outing this year. Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., was again'made patron, and Mr. W. M. Were was re-elected president. The list of vice-presidents and committee are too long to report. Mr. G. E. Bocock was elected secretary, in place of Mr. M. Fowler, who has left the district, and Mr. R. D. Milne auditor.

The unseasonable weather is playing havoc with the milk supply. «At present there is every indication of a short season, instead of a long one, as anticipated earlier in the season.

When motoring home from Stratford last Thursday Mr. W. Cartwright had a narrow escape from serious accident, running into a horse. The rider evidently had no control over the animal. The front axle of the car was bent. Luckily no one was hurt, but the horse was to some extent.

OKATO. Harvest thanksgiving services were conducted in the Okato Methodist Church on Sunday last. The church had been beautifully decorated with season-' able fruits, flowers and golden grain by willing hands. At 11 a.m. Mr. A. Wells \ preached a feeling sermon, giving his hearers plenty 'of fo«d for thought from the text to be found in the third chapter of Proverbs, 9th and 10th verses: "Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." In the evening, at 7.30 p.m., the church was well filled, when the pulpit was occuped by the Rev. R. B. Spiers, who preached a strong sermon to an attentive and appreciative congregation, taking for his text: Psalm 126, sth verse: "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." The fact of our church being well filled is, I am sorry to say, only the exception, but goes to show what a young, energetic and genial clergyman can do in the country districts. Mr. Spiers is only a newcomer' amongst us, and the knowledge that he will conduct the services either morning or evening always insures more than an average congregation. As he leaves us again in April, we can only hope that the conference will appoint a minister' who will be able to take up and con l tinue the good work initiated by Mr. Spiers. LINCOLN ROAD. Some said that for cheapness Thursday's picnic to the Breakwater was the best outing they had for many a long day. It is anticipated that next year even more schools will join. Some were either fascinated with the success of the petroleum works or became intoxicated with the smell, as they appeared reluctant to leave when time was up. We have had petroleum scum floating on the creeks and ponds, and bubbles coming up through the water, and when a lighted match was applied it would go off like gunpowder. Those who profess to be better versed in geology than myself say that in years gone by the Maoris lit these natural gas escapes to cook their food. It is to be hoped they were more successful than young Lang, who, when he attempted to light the one on his father's property (now Mr. Nicholls'), was blown up. and never recovered from the experience. An authority . from California, some years ago, when viewing the locality from Lincoln Road and looking down on to what is the Bristol Road Valley, said, "That is the sort of country we generally bore in California," indicating the little hillocks in the valley. Tliere are other indications which are too numerous to mention here, and it seems a pity that we have a i;Tcat industry practically at our feet and, with one or two exceptions, everybody seems dormant and inactive.