DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 177, 13 December 1912, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKF.TAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather tliis season lias been conducive to an abnormal growth of the buttercup weed, especially the ''ranuncu-, las" or the "crow's foot." Man}' farmers have, hitherto, not troubled much about the ugly customers, as the cattle do not object in any marked degree to its presence in the pasture, but the way it has extended itself this year in cropping ground has caused, in several instances, vigorous to be taken to cheek its spreading. In America, I understand, 'it is called the "cursed ciow's foot," and from what t have noticed as to its habits here it well earns its title. Ragwort is looked upon as bad enough, but, personally, I would sooner ileal with it than the butter-cup mentioned, and it would be well for farmers to take the latter customer in I hand. If our small bird pests would deivoto their attention to the seed of the plant and thereby help its eradication we would forgive a lot. Considerable speculation was shown amongst residents on the upper portions of the several roads as to the meaning of iii big blaze, seemingly near the railway Mine, on the evening of Sunday hu'. [That it was a residence all were s;n,. but whose? On .Monday it was learned 'than the eight-roomed residence of Hall Bros, (formerly the property of Mr. R. .Stevens), near the Maketawa river, and a couple of hundred yards from the factory, had been burned to the ground. A iarge crowd, comprising residents of the vicinity, Jnglewood, Rugby, Norfolk and Durham roads were attracted by the blaze, but it was impossible to salvage any of the contents to any extent, as the fire demon had obtained too strong a hold, and, as a consequence. Hall Bros. ■have lost everything. Mr. R. Stevens, who a short time back had moved into his new residence near by, is a considerable loser, he having left a large quantity of valuable furniture, etc., to be removed later on. The origin of the fiveis a mystery, as Mr. T'. Hall left everything safe previous to visiting a neighbor. T .understand that the building was insured to the extent of £3OO. The tests at the Durham creamery range from 3.5 to 4.0, which must be considered satisfactory. At present we are experiencing extremely hot weather, and all hands are extra busy preparing ground for turnips. 1 Several will soon make a start to stack oats, which are rapidly reaching the i ".saving" stage, and it is intended to follow with turnips. It is hoped the , crops will receive good treatment as re- > gards weather —the main bugbear of the ; dairyman.

1 have always understood that dairy produce should receive special treatment at the hands of the Railway Department, and certainly it has in the past, but it seems as if a new order of things is inaugurated with the coming of the new Government. 1 refer to the manner in which a truckload of butter from the local factory was neglected during the early part of the week. If those interested do not stir themselves up to prevent a. recurrence of such humbug the suppliers will no doubt want to know the reason, for a delay that causes a large quantity of butter on stand on a wayside, station in such weather as.at present must tend to depreciation in quality, and that won't please the producers, I'm sure.