DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 15, 18 June 1913, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

( MAKETAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent). Supposed to be a prosperous sign.— In the Moa district during the last two months there have been a dozen weddings celebrated, and several more in close prospect. Mr. J. Bridgeman, of Durham road, had the misfortune to have a valuable cart mare caught up in a barb-wire fence recently. She had one hind leg lacer- j ated very badly, and it is not yet known whether any important tendons are seri- ] ously damaged, though appearances point to that. , The unexpected always happens. We have had a run of four days' fine wea- l ther, with rather coldish S.E. breezes, ( and prospects are for a continuance. Any change from the dreary rain of a week or ] so past is very welcome. 1 1

Mr. J. Wisnewski and Mr. and Mrs. Mischewski, of Durham road, returned from a visit to Auckland on Thursday last. Mr. and Mrs. H. Bridgeman, of Te Aroha district, arrived the same day on. a visit to parents and relatives in the Moa district.

There is a little matter in connection with the Dairy Association that I consider should be thrashed out by the suppliers of the various companies in the Inglewood district—and othpr districts, for the matter of that. It has for some time been the practice for farmers, through their respective companies, to give orders for cow and horse covers, to be obtained per Association, and thereby effect 'a saving in price. Now" this is 'unfair to the tradesman of the different' dairy centres—say Inglewood, Stratford, .or where you will—because the labor of making those covers is sent out of the district. The Association, no doubt, being able to give a very large order, should be able to obtain concessions from the big city manufacturer, which the tradesmen of the district from which the order emanates, either by tender or other arrangement, and the money would thus benefit the districta in which it was produced. I feel sure that if some Buch action were taken by the dairy factories through this Association much benefit would ensue all round. Why should the dairy farmers' cash be sent to the big city works, to the detriment of tradesmen of their own district—men they can't do without? If the local men al-' low outsiders to beat them when given a chance, as advocated, well, they can kick themselves; but give them a chance, I say. By carrying out such a scheme the farmer and the necessary tradesmen would enter into true co-operation. A large number took advantage of the fine night on Friday last and rolled up to the dance in the Durham School. That they were pleased with the night's enjoyment goes without saying. Country dances in this district are always pleasing affairs. Visitors from Kent road, Upper and Lower Norfolk roads and elsewhere were present. An interesting event took place on Durham road on Thursday last, namely, the marriage of Mr. J. Hall, eldest son of Mr. Jas. Hall, of Albert road, to Miss Elsie Langley, second daughter of the late Mr. Edwin Langley, of Durham road. The ceremony, which was performed at the residence of the bride's mother by the Rev. Mr. Griffin, was attended by relatives and personal friends of the contracting parties. The newlywed couple left Durham road by the afternoon train en route for Auckland, where the honeymoon will.be spent. A 'lerable amouit of rice, etc., was used by a large crowd of friends who had assembled to wish them a pleasant trip.' The inspector's examination of the Durham road school is booked for July 11, and, taking into consideration the various changes that have taken place, what with the shifting of scholars to and from other schools, temporary teacher and such life, it seems hardly fair to all concerned, but I suppose it can't be helped. How is it that Maketawa does not compete in the butter competition of the various shows? is a question often asked, but considering the number of trophies held by the company, a rest on the laurels of past cffoTt3 is well understood.

I hear that Mr. John Rualing, of Upper Norfolk road, has disposed of his farm, and that Mr. F. Dombroski and another are the purchasers. The Road Board's foreman (Mr. R. Jones) is at present attending to the worn-out parts of Durham road. The' benefit of the creamery as to the wear and tear of the road is shown in a very marked manner liy the heaps of unused broken metal that are on the side of the road. Complete renewals of certain parts will be made possible in the near future if present conditions continue. During a recent trip along the Bristol road I could not help noticing the lartto area of splendid land in the grip of the blackberry curse, and it is enough to make one wonder what the end is to be All sorts of remedies are, lam told, tried to cope with the evil, but, I fancy, ■ire carried out in a half-hearted manner, nm\ I cannot help but draw that conclusion when one sees that the efforts of one resident (Mr. M. Hopson) are so far crowned with such success that it is hard to find a single plant on the land occupied by that gentleman. If one man can achieve such a result, it is hardly fair that he should be pestered by the careless methods of others in the district. Stringent legislation is, in my humble opinion, urgently needed to protect the rent of the district.

I understand that the Norfolk road suppliers to the Maketawa factory are contemplating seceding from that concern and joining the Midhirst factory; in fact, it is said that the erection of a creamery at Norfolk road is to be put in hand inimediately. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the statement as yet, but there is certainly some movement in the wind. There is urgent need for dairy companies to study the dairying question as it has evolved at the present. A great m*nv seem to think (especially the older hands) that any alteration from the system of 20 odd years ago is not to be thought of, but we live in a period of rapid changes (and in each change an improvement), and it behoves the dairymen to make a start regarding reconstruction, etc. It will be found that the only solution to the difficulty ia by the erection of a central butterworks and cheese-ripening buildings, with defined cienmery areas. All the troubles as regards the manufacture of these products would cease, and the producers would benefit thereby.