DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 272, 14 May 1912, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKETAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At present we are experiencing a spell of fine weather. The light south-east breeze, though cold, is drying the timber in the clearings, and settlers around are busy firing stumps, etc. The metalling of Durham-road West is progressing favorably, the formation having dried up wonderfully, and Foreman •Jones hopes to have a good stretch of metal laid by the end of the wvnk. The Durham-road Fanners' Club held its annual meeting on May 2, with a good attendance. The secretary gave a short review of the past year's operations, and the opinion was expressed that better results could be obtained if farmers wished. Mr. J. Bridgeman was appointed president, Air. F. Hodges vicepresident, and Mr. J. Simpson secretary. The club will meet monthly, arid 1 understand that the subject of "cow-testing" will be discussed at next meeting. The Durham School Committee held its second meeting since the householders' election on Monday evening last. The business was not of any importance, being purely formal.

Air. J. Flintoff and family had a narrow escape from a serious accident on Saturday through the loose stones on the road tripping up his horse which, through falling, precipitated the occupants of the gig on to the road. One little girl of about three years of age sustained a nasty bruise over one eye, and it is marvellous how the others, including an infant of a few months, escaped injury. The gig sustained damage to the extent of both shafts being broken. Several minor accidents of a similar nature have taken place lately, but without serious consequences. Judging by the reports of firearms during the past few days in different parts of the district a considerable number of sportsmen are on the move. I have not heard of any big bags being obtained, though a large number of hares have been wiped out. I have to chronicle a very regrettable occurrence which happened through the utter carelessness of some sportsman. Mr. F. Dodunski had a foal about 17 months old shot dead on Sunday last. This proves the contention that very irresponsible persons are allowed to carry fireurms. When fanners are forced to sit quietly by and allow such persons to wander at will over their sections at all times and suffer the loss of stock through carelessness, it is about time some drastic method of dealing with the present state of things was evolved. Perhaps the inauguration of a gun license would tend to obviate a lot of humbug, and I any improvement that the Aeclimatisa- ] t.ion Society can suggest would meet with the approval of the man on the land. Members of the territorial force and residents in the district give an encouraging account of the recent camp-out at Hnwera. They all speak with praise of the treatment and management shown by those responsible, and are already talking about the big camp proposed next year when, it is said, 4000 men will be under canvas. Many humorous incidents are reported, in one of which a local young fellow figured prominently. Fatigue duty as punishment for minor offences consisted of peeling an enormous heap of "spuds" by the offender, who evidently "went one better" when ordered to assist the rook, and who carried out his instructions with a ven- , geance by putting corned beef into a copper without water, thus practically initiating a new method. That young man's* "roast corned beef" had ; considerable demand!

The proposal of a borough councillor in Inglewood to re-open the question of obtaining a fresh poll in connection with the proposed Inglewood Town Hall is causing favorable comment amongst those outside the town, and the hope is expressed that the people of the town will view the matter in the interest of the district, as there are many who wish to see Inglewood rise in importance as a borough, and an up-to-date municipal town hall is one of those necessary items that -tend 'to that cud. Same years ago a big weekly newspaper advertised Inglewood with photos of its electric and water works as "Progressive Inglewood," but apparently it was a misnomer.

PUNIHO. (Frtfm Our Own Correspondent.) The settlers on the Puniho road had a working bee on Saturday, May 11, and -have made what used to -be a very dangerous piece of road, near Mr. A. Wells' farm, into about the best piece of unmetalled road in the district, and it is to be hoped that they will keep the water-tables cleaned out and not let the road get washed away again. A special meeting of the Puniho school committee was iheld last Tuesday, and it was decided to hold a concert and dance -on May 24 in aid of the school funds. The committee have hired a piano and secured the services of a good musician, and they intend to make this the biggest and best concert and dance that has ever been held in Puniho.

The factory has started to run every other day, arid most of the farmers arc only milking once a day.