DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 205, 27 February 1914, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

MAKETAWA. i (From Our Own Correspondents). We have luul a spell-of glorious weather, though at time very hot. The large amount of smoke about conduced to oppressiveness. A good of grumbling is being indulged in regarding the lateness of the train used for the amalgamated schools' picnic. On past occasions the mail train was passed at Tariki, ami the time allowed fanners to get home, at a fairly decent hour, but last week the excursion train was held up at Inglewood, consequently farmers were very late in getting home. Our new manager will have to shake things up! The main road is just now fairly humI milig' with business. The. county crusher is at work on the Durham road depot, while gangs of men and carts, together with flic road roller, are repairing the) road towards luglcwood. \ understand that a llOUllyds contract for stone lot Whangamomona is being proceeded with Tariki-way. A bottle of XXX may. to some people, be a satisfactory accompanist on the journey home from Ingicwood, but those who enjoy that method of "swizzling" might show a little M'use of responsibility 'to the community by refraining from smashing the bottle on the centre of the road. The danger to cyclists and to horses through ugly pieces of glass being left in such places is veryobvious, and I should think there must be some protection all'orded by law to prevent this sort of thing. Durham road west has always enjoyed the reputation of being one of the cleanest roads in the province as regards weeds, and there's no doubt the method adopted by residents of ••going for" the careless one has helped lo bring about the desired end. The show of ragwort this year is remarkably less, and il is j easily understood that the neglect of ) one man to root out a plant, or two J near another fellow's boundary should I arouse the ire of the latter, and. necessarily. a complaint. To -how that lie had attended to the matter the one comi plained of fixed a large root of the plant in the centre of the road, where it was to be seen in all it- golden glory when going to the creamery next morn>»g-

Agricultural experts have time upon number drawn attention to the fact that Taranaki soil is deficient in lime. Agricultural chemists have also preached as to the benefit: both to plant and •(round by .th- use of lime; individual farmer- wh.i have used the stud' in a systematic a. Miner swear by the bene-

fit receive:!. The importance of its used has in i'ie past, been recognised by, the Government. who. to encourage its use, have allowed the concession of 100 miles free railage. Hut, withal, it is only in scattered instances in this district that lime luis been used, and many and varied are flic opinion as to whv for. It "has been pointed out that if lime will do what the Government experts claim and thereby help production, which means benefit to the community as a whole, the commodity should be carried any distance free, and not, as at present, be a giit to those living under the 100-mile limit. There's something in that, I think. Now, consideringl the huge deposits of lime in the Mokau district, and bearing in mind the

importance of the st.ulT and also in support of the argument that increased production is of benefit to the whole country (leaving out the enormous advantage to the settlers of the district

to the north of Waitara), the better and more lasting method for the farmers to adopt would be to ask the Government to at once take up (he manufacture of the stnfl, and also to push on as rapidly as possible a light line of railway into the Mokau district from Waitara, so that it can lie obtained quickly and in unlimited quantity. If the welfare of the se.ttlers were sincere this is a matter (hat should receive prompt attention, and I commend the idea to the urgent notice of Mr. Wilson, M.P., who would have something- substantial to talk about.

DEXISIGII ROAD. The annual seaside excursion to (.lie Fitzroy beach from the .Midhirst and neighboring schools took place on Friday last, 20th inst... and was well patronised by parents and children. The arrangements for some years past have been left in the hands of the Midhirst committee, who have spared no pains to make the event, successful. Personally, r should like to see the excursion hcid a little earlier in (he season, or else he'd over until the Kaster holidays, which 1 think would be a much better aiiangement than the present one. However, this is only a suggestion. 1 have no intention of finding fault witli those who worked so hard to make our annual school picnic a success. I ray -making- has been completed for some time, and good crops have been the l tile for the season, 'l'he continued wcl; weather during the spring and early summer delayed the preparation of the

ground for turnips and green food, consequently ninny farmers were rather late with hay-making and suffered considerably from the spell of rain which tool; place a couple of weeks ago.

There Ims been :i considerable increase in the area sown in turnips this season, and crops are looking remarkably well. Fanners nre beginning to realise the value of good winter feeding, and every year brings a considerable increase ill the amount of cleared land. The question of providing ways and .means for the upkeep of our roads and bridges is beginning to exercise the minds of our local councillors, and the luteal proposal is the erection of a toll- | gate as a means of raising tho necessary funds for the purpose. Well, a toll-gate may have its own peculiar advantages, but, nftcr all, it does not appear to he u very fair method of taxation, because it cannot possibly be made to catch all who may be, equally interested in the maintenance of our main roads. Something. however, will have to he done, and I expect it will be merely a question of choosing the lesser of two evils and looking as pleasant as possible under the circumstances. A dance was held in the local school during the last fortnight and was fairly well attended for the time of year. The arrangements were carried out by the young men of the district, and during the evening songs were rendered by the Misses Sullivan and Messrs T. \Y. Casey and L. Lvford. Miss Anderson presided at the piano.