DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 277, 15 April 1913, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

MAKETAWA.

The south-easter during the early part of the week played the dickens with things generally, and many settlers have, now that calmer weather prevails, had to straighten up stack roots, etc. I have heard of one instance where the roof of a havshed was carried away. Naturally the' cattle were affected by the cold, and the dwindling milk supp y received a further spurt to the vanishing 'point. The turnip crop in all directions is looking exceedingly good, and as the also is keeping good growth (no doubt owing to the grand weather prevailing as a whole during the season), the winter prospects for cattle are held by many to lie verv bright. But you .never know Taranaki. Query: If Canada can import 400,000 hides and skins, etc., from New Zealand. then manufacture into leather and j boots and send them back to New Zealand. why cannot the latter keep the raw and manufacture it into marketable goods itself? We want population. Why not work up our raw products on a bigger scale? That means more lihour, etc. Are we for all time just to be the producer of raw commodities? I may be wrong, of course, but there's something cronk somewhere. On Wednesday last, a quiet but pretty wedding took place in the Roman Catholic Church. Inglewood. the contracting ■parties being Mr. Matthais Dodunski, of Durham Road, and Miss Lily Dombroski. of Norfolk Road. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father O'Byrne. The bride w s is attended by the Misses Christenson and Taylor as bridesmaids, while Mr. F. Dombroski acted as best man. A large number of relatives of the newly-wed couple attended the wedding breakfast at the residence of the bride's mother, Norfolk Road, and subsequently the amusements, dancing, etc.. which were kept up till daylight next day. The young couple have the well wishes of a large community. The meeting of 'delegates to the Taranaki Farmers' Co-operative organisation will be held at Hawera at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3rd. As Mr. Buclteridge, the oppoinfed organiser, has been throughout the district, there should be an interesting gathering, and no doubt interesting information. The result of the meeting should prove whether there is anything in the cry "that the farmers as a class cannot be loval to each other." It should also show if the farmers as a class have followed the latter-day methods and are willing to still stay in the position as minor, when they should, when they can. and -when they must occupy premier plade. The sharp shock of earthquake felt at an early hour on Friday morning succeeded in arousing a goodly number of j residents.

The farming community, in searching | for a solution of the increase in cost of ' living and also in furtherance of the axiom of "buvinj; in the cheapest mar- ( ket, etc." has learned bv actual exner-1 ience, that they can buy with the big,' wholesale firms of outside cities and effect savings. The question of sttidv-' ing the merchants of their own district, or the retailer for the matter of that, is not for a moment considered, but the latter will have to sliake themselves 1 together and hurry aloncr direct shipment in order to cope with this diversion of cash to outside-the-district places. I know for a fact that all over' the Taranaki district, thousands of' poiwids' worth of goods are yearly brought in from a certain outside firm, and, further, I learn the trade is rapidlv expanding and local businesses must of a consequence suffer. . A while back the "Jfews" contained correspondence anent the question of "loyalty to local stores, etc." but if big firms outside can show per catalogue that the consumer can save money, there the cash is going and the matter of enriching the bifijer places at the expense of their own'district doesn't enter into consideration one little bit. As T before mentioned, n bis shake and a quick shake is needed bv those interested, and somehow, T tlimk direct shipment will about fill the bill. When one points out it is not a fnir deal to the local men he is met with "there's too big a margin 'tween the two prices." So it seems there's a screw loose somewhere. Is the farmer to blame?

LEPi'ERTOX. Hie annual meting in connecti"n with the library. hall, and social club were held on Snhivtlsiv. ."ith in«t, The b'brarv balrW shop' shoW a . credit balance of ]?s 3d. TV Government snlis'dv for tlie yen- n-ioi-nb tn £0 17s. The librarians' ivn"" :'-''hnWsp<i to ••■•roliaee new boo'-s, nnd --rt !to pbul ' _'"'ar from subscribers of books they " '' added to the libra"". i T '>« report of the Fvi'' rY-«mittee • •('(l a most successful vonr'n workiii". Subsequently the newly-elected committee were directed to tike steps to have the supper room enlarged, and I understand itn effo!- + will be made to have the work done in 'ime for the annual ball on the 15th of May. What with euchre parties, socials, concerts, and a bachelors ball it is evident that the Hall Committee mean to make things hum in Ivepperton this winter. A start will be made next Thursday with a social in the hall. . . , M , r ' }\ A - Openshaw. our former .renin! butcher, has been staying here for a few days. ' ° Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Murray m the loss of their child.