DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 70, 9 August 1912, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

(Frf m Our Own Correspondents). MAKETAWA. Weather forecasters are at their wits'' 'litis just at present, the conditions prevailing for the past week or so being unprecedented. After all the wet, miserable time a few weeks hack we managed to get a peep at old Sol for a few days—but it was only for a few days. ' On Saturday the wind veered to 'the southwest, with biting squalls, and at night time calmed down, with a shift to the south. On Sunday morning the ground on the upland of the railway line was covered with about two inches of snow. So what with Jack Frost, biting winds, hail, rain ami snow, there is every reason for the remark that this i» "the worst winter for about 15 years." The amount of southerly wind experienced this year is another matter that excites comment.

The creamery starts froni Wednesday next to run every other day, as the supply of milk is gradually increasing. Much regret is expressed at the death of .Miss MeDermid, one time assistant teacher at the Durham School.

The proposal of the Moa Dairy Co. to institute a general store business in connection with its dairy business is causing a good deal of talk as to the wisdom or otherwise of the venture. When all is said and done, if it pays the dairy farmer to import hi* hulk goods through the Dairy Association, why not get all the different companies to amalgamate into one co-operative trading concern, instead of being split up as they are? The amount of capital such a combination would have at its disposal should •■liable all dealings in big lines to be carried out at a minimum of expense, and the farmer must benefit. When one sees, per Cost of Living Commission, the capers of the big merchants there is no wonder that the farmer wants to strike out for himself, and I say the bigger the combination the surer the success. They'll not get all the cream till they do!

The monthly meeting of the Durham I School Committee was held on Monday evening last, at which the Education | Board's methods and members received scathing criticism from committee members and a deputation of householders that was present. The remarks were due to the Hoard shelving a matter in which the parents were deeply interested, and which was submitted to the Board. The committee's intention to resign was eomhatted by the argument that they weio elected by the Ivouseholders, and' as the latter were perfectly .satisfied with their action and management they would not be justified in resigning. Other methods were suggested as to | attaining the ends required, and it is certain that some members of the Board j have not added to their popularity in not | seeing that justice was done to the many parents affected by the matter. All round the district much sympathy is expressed with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Salisbury in the loss of their son Ernest, a lad of 11 or 12. Mr. Salisbury and, family resided for some years on Durham road. The young fellow, I hear, | died from blood poisoning. I The remark of a Stratford dairy factory supplier (per "News" report) that I a quarter of a million was lost to farmers through the present method's of produce disposal, and the criticism of others as to those methods, can be taken as indications that a radical change must soon come about, and the quicker all recognise that the only remedy is amalI gamation to produce and distribute the sooner will the man on the land get "all there's in it." If he will not move [ with the times in that respect he may I as well shut up and take what is siren \ him,

HURFOED ROAD. The weather of lato has been very cold, the coldest and roughest experienced for 6§me years. The new bridge is finished, and the approaches nearly completed also, which will te a great 'benefit to the farmers, as they have had to ford ttie river this last week. The travelling public on this road owe thanks to the men concerned in tha building »f the bridge, as they have studied the convenience of all as mu«h as possible.

Land agents have been busy up this way lately. Mr. Q. Chant has sold his property, and Mr. Morati has also sold out. Mr. Resmlon has disposed of kis cows in favor of shepp.

Many farmers are now busy ploughing Mr. Richardson intends breaking up about fifty acres. The second euchre tournament eame feo a dose last Friday. .Mr. 0. Hcnricuson carried oft' ttte aggregate prize and Mr. Morati tho prize lor tke highest number of games for ona night. Miss Myers won the ladies' aggregate, and :Miss S. George the prize for the highest number of games, after cutting with Mrs* Woods'and Miss Groenhill. Tlie next tournament is to coalmen*© on Friday of this week.

Mr. A. Wood is installing a milkisg machkie, and inteids miking about thirty cows. 'Mr. Chant hfls had Hie misfortune t« lose a valuable drwugkt kastso fnom some unknown complaint.