DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 31 May 1912, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

(Firm Our Own Correspondents). OMATA. A meeting of settlers was held in the Omata Hall on Monday, May 20, for the purpose of arranging for a district display at the Winter Show to be held in New Plymouth. Mr. A. Cliff, secretary of the society, attended the meeting, and explained to those present what was required. A general discusision followed, and it was decided to enter for the district competition. The necessary application for space and the entry were made. A hearty vote of thanks was given to Mr. Cliff for the trouble he had taken in coming out to the meeting. The following gentlemen were elected a committee to canvass the district for exhibits: Messrs. J. Honeyfield, T). Penwarden, J. Crockett, M. Neilson, E. K. Baylv. "B. Honeyfield. and 0. T. Frost. Mr. Frost was appointed secretary. The district was canvassed on' Wednesday, May 22, and a meeting held on Monday, May 27, to report progress and make further arrangements. The report of the canvass was highly satisfactory, and arrangements wore made for erecting the stands and arranging the exhibits. The articles promised, except perishable goods, are to be sent to the Omata Hall on Saturday, June 1. to be in readiness to go into New Plymouth on Monday morning June 3. The committee have been mosti energetic, and if those who have pro- j mised send in their exhibits the stand • should make a good display. 1 The hall committee are contemplating I extensive alterations at the hall. Nothing definite is settled, but plans submitted by Mr. Messenger are being con-1 sidered. Should these be carried out the hall will be ,widened by 10ft and the roof raised' 2ft., besides other improvements, which will run into about £loo.

The overcrowded state of Omata school is causing grave anxiety to the committee, and application has been' made to the Education Board to have the school enlarged. When at this time of the year children complain of faintness and sickness through overcrowding, though all doors and windows are kept open, it becomes a serious question as to what it will bo in a few months' time, especially as a good many more children are likely to apply for admission before long. Mr. A. Cowling has had the misfortune to lose one -of his best bullocks. Tt was in perfect health one day and the next day was dead. On opening the body of the animal large quantities of sand were found to have accumulated in the intestines, thus causing its death. WAB.EA. The weather this past week or two has been very wintry, and the roads have cut up very much. • iThe milk supply at the local cheese [factory has decreased considerably this | last month, and the factory is now running every other day. I understand that the directors have decided to in[stal a plant for making.whey butter next season. This is what should have been done this season, when several [ hundred pounds would have been saved. | Earthquakes were felt here on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The latter was very severe. The next event of importance in the district is the Church of England bazaar, to be held on Wednesday and Thursday next, May 20 and 3d' The ladies have been working hard for some time, and with fine weather a very successful bazaar should eventuate. The latest craze amongst the young . fellows is skating and a fairly ' large [muster rolls up every Tuesday and Saturday night at the hall. A chopping match between our local axeman, A. E, Magon, and W. Duggan M of Rahotu, took place at Rahotu" last! week, and resulted in an easv win for our local man—a result which was nothing more than was expected. The! afternoon was wet for the event, but a; fair crowd were present. J An accident happened to Mrs. A. Sad-, ler as she was driving home on Sunday • night from the Warea road with her two. children and Mrs. Wheelan. Tt appears that the horse started to kick and got a leg over the shafts, endinc up by getting into the drain and break- j ing both shafts. All the occupants were thrown out, but fortunately no one was I hurt. ' j Our local blacksmith has made an ad-j dition to his shop by putting on a piece! for wheelwrighting purposes. Several 1 other residents have had carpenters at worK: lately. KOETJ. The severest earthquake ever felt in the district occurred here at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday. It shook and rattled everything, and, seemed to- last for fully 50 seconds. I have not heard, of any damage being done so far. The Koru contingent of Mounted Rifles who were encamped at Waver- ; ley returned home on Saturday last, and are loud in their praises of the arrangements and treatment they received while in camp, they being delighted with tlie change, and regret that the encampment did not last a month. They say they were just beginning to ''feel fit" when they had to strike camp and come home. The Government 'did not intend 'that they should sustain any loss by accident as the Government veterinarian examined and valued every, horse. 1 hear the officers were very pleased with the way the youths shaped. A little military training will- do them a lot of good, as well asjireparing them for anv emergency that may arise. The milking season is now' drawing to a close, and good old "Brindle" claims her annual 'winter's rest, but we shall miss the monthly cheque. Speaking about milking reminds me of the fact that the returns from some of the Koru dairy herds compare more i than favorably with some •of the dairies on high-priced lands down the coast. The highest'test at the creamery this week is 5.3, and the lowest 4.8.

Tlip young people petting a little relaxation from milking have started a fnrt-nip-lit.lv dance, wliieli tliey propose to continue tlirou-rliont the winter. _The first dance took place on Friday night, and was a great siiccpss. A Koru resident liad a narrow p«e(ipe

from lieins "in over by a motor-oar on Saturday in Devon street. He says lie will lie'more eareful in future.