DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 145, 6 November 1912, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

{Frm Our Own Correspondents). MAKETAWA. For little over a week we experienced splendid weather, and the country prelented an attractive appearcincc, grass came ahead in a marked manner, arid "Madame Cow" responded liberally to the favorable conditions, as was evidenced by the increase in the supply to the Durham creamery and the main factory.. We cannot keep good things long and must have our bad weather, for on Sunday it started with a drizzly ra,in from the north-west. On Monday the rain was incessant, and as a consequence rivers, creeks, roads and the paddocks showed the effect of the downpour. As to cropping operations, I believe a much larger area will this year be put into oat's, and several settlers have made good headway with ground for turnips. A couple are trying Japanese millet to see how it will take in this district, and if the plant is all that it is claimed to be the experiment must lead to \jt being planted extensively. Why farmers around will not take advantage of the Agricultural Department's experimental plot offer is rather a puzzle, but, you see, "grandfather did not believe in these new-fangled plants and notions!" The alterations effected by Mr. Joe , Mischewski to his residence has added to the' attractiveness of the road, tl»e building now presenting an np-to-date appearance. Durham road has earned the distinction of being one of the best , roads in the district (of not the best), and certainly the residents are a progres- ! sive lot, as evidenced by the neat buildings and clean paddocks, and it shows j what strict attention to eradicating noxious weeds will do. As to the growing . capa : bi(itiok of the soil, I understand that several crops of turnips grown last sea.son have been, simply marvellous, while las to grass-—well, the turn-out of milk answers for that. Talking with a Maori in Inglewood recently the meaning of "Maketawa" cropped up, and he informed me that it means "both together." Will some friend kindly inform mo as to the correctness of the definition? We hear a good deal about backblock roads and the consequent hardships, but one has not to go far from home for

examples that are good evidences of the •rotten system that obtains at present, and also shows the one-sidled selfish ideas of the farming community. Pretty strong words, I fancy someone will say, but go where one may he will meet with examples similar to what I wish to chronicle. A settler on the top of Upper Norfolk road, Mr. Duckett, had a bad capsize and loss of milk quite recently through the bad state of the,-road in question. Now, in that locality there are several sections that cannot be worked for dairying on account of the bad road, and goods to settlers have to be swagged in. These people pay, rates and the metalled portion of the road is of no-use to them- on account "of the <lis- - tance they have to puddle through the mud.- The upper settlers cannot get a metalled road because those who have metal to their gates will not assist them, and the former's rates are practically used to keep the metalled part in repair. If it is not selfish on the part of the latter, what is it? It is recognised that "the more milk to'the factory the better for the combination," yet we herd have nearly "2000 acres or so simply useless for miik production, and consequently a hindrance to the community as a whole. If the Norfolk road .settlers would follow the example of those on the Durham road, where it will be found that the topmost section has the benefit of a metalled road, I am sure the increased supply of milk would lessen . the cost of production all round, and they must benefit thereby. It will be seen that the idea, "I'm all right, hang the other fellow!" seems to be dominant with those who have the metal. Put yourself in their place and see how you'd like it. It really is scandalous that in such an old district as.,this is that such a state of affairs should exist; as is to be seen on the road.under notice. The sections tied up through the mud road have disheartened a number oi settlers in the past who have taken them up, had a trial, and then got out of it in disgust. Those sitting on sections served by metal do not recognise that it is a reflection on their land and themselves that snch should b,e, . and y the reason that can be given for,leaving'things to go on as they are would be very interesting. I hope the ab.ove ,remarks will draw oat that rea?Wi).', I might here add that the fact that the Maketawa river (a river of boulders and shingle) lies only between 20 and 30 chains away from the road, so an unlimited" amount of stone is on hand that should be obtained cheaply, and the only reason that the large amount of land is, not included in producing milk (or that' it is deteriorating through not being worked as it shoiild be), is because of the selfishness of those on the metal who will not agree to support a loan for metalling the upper portion. Such is life! LINCOLN ROAD. Miss Carmichael in the temporary teacher here in the absence of Miss Meston. Another bachelor in the district has joined the ranks of the beendicts, "but. 1 regret to say another has come into the district to fill the vacancy, -the new arrival being a Mr. Parkes, who has bought Mr. J. Uncle's farm on the Bristol road. Mr. Griffin, of the Wortley road, hasvlso sold out. A good deal of alnd has changed hands ately, owing, I presume, to its cheaples ill comparison with other parts of lie province. A great many farmers are breaking lp new ground for cropping, which enails considerable expense and labor, in lome cases costing £8 to £lO per acre. Vfr. 11. B. Curtis must have spent some mndreds of 'pounds during the last two -ears on his Bristol road farm, and it >romises in time to become a morel little lairy farm. Mr. A. B. Gamlin is also effecting coniderable improvements on his sections in the Lincoln road. The Moa Dairy Company is now tuning out close on 90 boxes a day, but I hink they will dr6p about a dozen boxes rhen Kaimata starts on its own. But lie milk flow is still increasing all round. Comparatively speaking, the roads are ood, but I notice the Moa Road Board j making liaste slowly in doing anything n the everett road.