DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 150, 12 November 1912, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKETAWA.

(From Our Own Correspondent). The monthly meeting of the Durham School Committee was held oh the 4th inst., all members being present. The only exception to the usual routine business was the appointment of Miss Mischewski as cleaner instead of Miss Bridgeman (resigned) and the statement by the chairman (Mr. V. Hodges) as to the action of the School Committees' Association as- to the amalgamated picnic. The chairman was appointed as Durham representative on the picnic •ommittee.

I understand that a movement is on foot to inaugurate a creamery on the Lower Norfolk road, but cannot say as to the truth of the rumor that the Maketawa directors have been approached anent the matter. If the proposal of a big landowner in that part is genuine, "that he will make three sections out of one and provide a hundred or so cows," it will mean bringing more land into milk production, and the creamery would be a real benefit to the settlers on the, lower part of the road, and the whole concern a benefit to the community. It is hoped no real objection will arise to prevent the movement coming to a head. On the night of Thursday last very heavy wind was experienced, which quite scared a few residents.' A very peculiar feature was the terrible rushing sound followed by almost a dead calm, then a recurrence of the wind, and this kind of , thing was kept up for a considerable time. Numerous old trees were uprooted, happily without damage to stock. I hear that Mr. H. Laing; of Inglewood Hotel, has purchased Mr. S. Pratt's farm on the Mountain road. The account of a moth that intends to help eradicate the blackberry nuisance is causing a deal of speculation as to the possibility of such being genuine Anything that will help rid the country ' of the black curse Avill be worth millions to Taranaki in the long run. It is hoped that this last "hope," which lias rais-, ed quite a flutter amongst those cursed with the weed, will be thoroughly tested or encouraged. An ardent supporter of the Reform Party informs me that, after reading the list in the "News" of the increases given by the Massey Government to those already drawing big salaries, and also the way money is voted for trips to England, etc., he is simply disgusted with the whole lot. He also informed me J that the present Government proposed to discontinue some of the experimental farms and put the land on the market, but I should like to hear someone else on that point, for such a proposal would be retrograde with a vengeance. The warm and heavy rains experienced lately have brought a considerable amount of snow off okl Egmont. Those settlers living close to the mountain remark that : it is always noticeable what an alteration takes place in the temperature and that there is a marked increase in growth besides less liability to frost when )* the snow mantle is thinned down. The "Pride of Taranaki" is not without its drawbacks, evidently, i Much satisfaction is evinced by those J who desire the district of Inglewood to advance, at the carrying of the proposal to erect an up-to-date public hall. I have heard that the plans ftave been prepared by Messrs Pereival and Messenger, and if that is correct those interest* ed can rest assured that the requirements of the borough will be well looked after. A large number of Inglewpod residents and also of the district around paid a visit to the -'Geisha" at New Plymouth, and speak in glowing terms of the production there. The very stormy wea- : ther prevented many others attending at New Plymouth, but a good number have signified their intention to follow the harbor town's amateurs to Stratford when the opera if staged there.

TARIKI. The dairying' season Is now in full swing, with its attendant early and Late hours; consequently evening entertainments have not the attraction as in the winter months. However, some of the younger members of the community, stimulated by the efforts of their elders to raise the necessary funds for additions to the hall, determined to get up a ball in aid of this object. The function was held on the sth inst., and the result of

the combined and strenuous efforts of the committee, consisting of Messrs J. Egan, H. Kerr, L. Walker, A. Walshe, Harkness, R. Karalus, F. Bell, J. Davidson, T. James, R. James and T. and B. ) Shrieder, were eminently successful. Besides a good attendance of local residents, there were a number of visitors from Stratford and Ingle wood present, who evidently thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The floor was in good order, and the music, provided by Mr. A. Richardson, of ■Stratford, satisfied the most critical". Mr. Len. Walker acted as M.C., and the ladies' committee, Misses Bell and Mg therson (hon. sees.), B. Power, M. Power, D. Inston and L. Davidson, deserve every praise for the tasteful way in which the hall was decorated and the excellent sup--per* provided. Misses E. Laurence and D.-. Inston contributed "extras," and it wis! generally conceded that the dance was fin unqualified success in every way. A "grand variety evening" is to take place on the 13th inst., and as entertainment is provided for both young and old it should be well patronised.

A wedding of considerable local interest is shortly to take place.

The weather is very wintry, and the biting Arctic blasts that drive through oue Broadway make some of the factory suppliers long for an early recurrence of those happy events which recently occasioned their alighting to accept the good cheer proffered by some of our leading townsmen.