DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 266, 8 April 1914, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

OMATA. (From Our Own Correspondents). Things generally were very dull here and for some time after Christmas there was nothing to chronicle of any interest, but the past month has been a little more eventful.

At the beginning of the month the formation work on the hill on Seely road was finished, the grade of tlie hill, which was very steep, having been reduced several feet. This work was carried through in a most public-spirited manner. In the lirst place the County Council agreed to give £2O on the settlers finding £lO. This was agreed to, and the work started, but it was soon seen that amount would not make as good a job as was desirable. Working bees were arranged with the assistance of settlers from a neighboring road, and labor to the extent of £2O was put oil the. work. The Council was again approached and, in consideration of the work done, gave an additional grant of £lO, and now there is a first-class job done from which settlers will receive great benefit. Great credit is due to Mrs. B. Kidd, who was the moving spirit in the enterprise from its inception to its completion. On March Ist the harvest festival in connection with the Methodist church was held, appropriate sermons being preached by the Rev. H, T, Peat in the afternoon "and by Mr. Laurence in the evening. The church was beautifully decorated with fruit, flowers, and pro- j duce of all descriptions. | On the 15th of the month the anniversary services of the same church Sunday school were held, and sermons , were preached to full congregations in ! the afternoon by the Rev. R. J. Liddell, and in the evening by Mr. J. R. Sullivan.

On the following Thursday afternoon the Sunday school children had their picnic in the school ground adjoining, and in the evening a Bocia.l was held in the church, and addresses given by tho Revs. Liddell an* Teat, and opportunity was taken to present to Mr. Liddell (who is leaving the district) a pair of ebony-backed hair brushes as a slight memento of his work in connection with the church here during the past three years. On Friday, the 2flth, the annual picnic in connection with the public school wii s held on the Moturoa beach, the children and their friends assembling in great force. A -most enjoyable day was spent with ga<mes of all descriptions. Thursday, the '2nd inst., was, however, the great day here, when the committee of the public hall held a fancy fair and monster bazaar in aid of the hall funds, and they have every reason to congratulate themselves on the result. Every one in the place seemed to interest himself or herself in making the affair a thorough success, and when the opening took place in the afternoon full stalls beautifuly decorated met the gaze of the public. Tha whole district seemed to have met there, and two brake loads and several -motor cars full came from town. Particularly good business was done both afternoon and evening, and the hall funds will benefit to the extent, of £53 15s, after faying all expenses. Visitors from town were delighted with tVie general arrangements and with the hospitality extended to them. Amongst the visitors were Mr. 11. Okcv, M.l\. ami Mrs. Okey, and the doll bride was named by the lattev. After the sale I lie few remaining articles tvere auctioned by Mr. C. E. Eairbrother, go«d prices being realised. After this supper was banded round, and the hall cleared for (lancing. Mr. •!!. Uariketl supplied the music free of charge. Miss Coleman played an extra. Mr. I'. Mace otiiciated as ■MX'. The committee desire to thank all who assisted them by donations of work and generally to all who helped to make such a success of the event. The various stalls were conducted as follows: —Fancy stall, Mesilames Hooker, I'emvardcn and Were: sweets and ice cream, Mrs. and Miss Qiiii'kfall and Miss Mace; fish pond, Misses Bayly, E. Mace, and Miss P.avvlinson: post office, Mr. €. llutchins; hoop-la, Mr. F. llutchins; shooting gallery, Mr. C. T. Shrimptcn: afternoon tea, Mesdames Edwards. Thompson, Clwnow. Bayly and Honcy-lU-ld, with Japanese assistants: nigger man, Mr. K (ieerge: sheep guessing. Mjessrs I". Mace and \V. .1. Iloneyfieid. The competitions generally were in charge of Mr. Meyenbuig, wil.i Japanese lady assistants and resulted as follows: fjtuiies' nail-drivin", Mrs. J. Kendall 7'/: sec. (2!) entres); ladies' wood sawing, Mrs. A. Mace Usee. (11l entries): men's hat-trimming, Mr. C. 1). MeAlluni; guessing age of calf, Mr. 1\ Mace: guessing name of doll. Ethel, Mr. P. McConnick: guessing weight of cheese donated by Mr. W. J. Xeilsen; I'uuiho. with a loaf cheese for prize, -f.'ilb. won by Mr. C. llutchins, with a- guess of 4'2lhs; guessing sheep, correst weight DiVUbs, won by Mr. K. Jury. '.l2lbs. The Christmas free was in charge of Mrs. I>. Kidd. and Mrs. K Bailey, with little Miss Smith :is fairy. Everyone left lor home delighted with the entertainment.

A t'i'VT days «,?<> one of your correspondents lioicd t.lu- fact of one oi the suppliers to his local factory realising ci'ri from 70 cows fur his Decern for chcoiie. 1 think we c;in jro one better, :is a supplier to the local cheese factory here, received .els IK< :«1 from 25 cows. ; hus to equal this the other fellow should have yot his cheque from -ii) cows. I'or ;hree nioiitlis the supplier 1 mention yot :ls lid per nionih from his 'l~i cows. This \v;i.s for October. November and l)e----■:-'pd;er, and he sa.j* some of them want f;:I!>n;r "lit. It is evident lie aims at a hi;:b standard, but with land at tbe price it is nothing but the best is flood enough. ilis March i-beque will show i:o reduction over tin* preceding one, as his cows were turned on to four acres of lares and rjejrrass for a forlnijrat, which sent lip the milk supply lUttllht day and the result lias amply .justilied the expense. That paddock will shortly he shut, up to yrow into early spring feeil. !!esii!ents of the district sympathise with Mrs. 11. I). llooKer in Inn- recent illness. Mr. S. (iatton has also been obliged (o keen ill his lied (with a doctor in attendance) for nearly a month, but ho is now slowly iiiiproviii!:. MAKKTAW'A. (From Our Own Correspondent). It is bound to be of interest to tbe Durham creamery suppliers to know that iheir milk supply has for a considerable period been ahead of that of Hie main factory. Interest in matters political is l-di>.il-ly increasing, and 11n- n-j>orts "I Million. Fisher's Wel!iii<.;tou meetiny; aiv received and read'with cmillictisiji emotions. Certain it is that the lion. fjeiilieman is a good paper-seller just now. Stone breakers are badly wanted for the Durham road west: the heaps of boulders lying in convenient phizes should provide jjood employment for

many days. A further supply of ab.-iui SO yards is being carted out for the t-;p portion of the road by Mr. A. Laurence. Waggon loads of timber proceeding along Durham road west having caused some speculation as to the why and wherefor, I can state that 'Mr. Edwanl Crean purposes erecting a four-roomed residence on his section, part of which was formerly Capestake's. With the close proximity of winter, firewood splitting is being gone on with. A large quantity has already been deposited at the Durham station, presumably for New Plymouth. The Durham creamery yard is also being filled up with good solid stud'. I noticed recently a very large quantity of tawa was railed from Inglewood.

Considerable interest is shown by residents of this district regarding the recently formed farmers' organisation, and* the items at times appearing in the News, together with the advertisements of sales, causes a good deal of conversation. Many who looked askance at the project at the iirst have intimated their intention to take shares, and many have already done so "because it is just the proper thing." Weather conditions are still pleasurable, though for a time it looked as if the "break-up" was close. Some very sudden gusts of wind on Saturday evening (of the "whirl" variety) severely scared some lady residents of upper Durham road—the force, together with the sudden-coming and going, is said to have been extraordinary. OPUNAKE. (From Our Ov. r n Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the OpiiniVUe branch was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr. G, Loouey, president, occupied the chair. The president, who has also been discharging the secretarial duties, gave a statement of accounts for the year, pending the balance-sheet being audited. The statement showed a credit-balance of ,£4O. Thirty new members were elected, bringing the total membership close up to 80. The chairman-, in welcoming the new members, said farmers .were realising the necessity of organising. They must cither organise or go down. The turning point in favor of fanners organising was when the New Zealand Union musteired 1200 specials in Wellington. It taught the Red Feds that they were up against something strong. The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year: —President and delegate, Mr. G. Looney; committee, the whole of the members; secretary, left to chairman to till. The subscription was fixed at 10s. The president was voted a bonus of £ 10, and he was complimented. upon the successful work he had done by the Union. Whilst the meeting was waiting for Mr. ifenry to give his advertised address on " Cleanliness and Bacteria," a telegram was banded in annminring that his motor had met with a mishap and he was unable to fulfil the appointment. TOWN BOARD. The ordinary montnly meeting of the Board was held on Monday evening. Present: Messrs. W. C. Dudley (chairman)., 0. Mullan, D. Ross, and W. Todd. Correspondence was 'read from Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., that he had taken the. liberty to invite ministers and M.l'.'s :to the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Opiina.K.c railway, at Opunake. He asked that, tliv Jloard would take the initiative in making the function a great success, aivl extend a warm welcome to the guests.

The Board decided to make the function a big affair, and passed a ri*«!ntion that the Government dp congratulated On at last fixing the route <■'. i.-ic porposed railway, and thai tin 1 route fixed is in the best interests of the district.

Mr Climie's supplementary estimate for water and drainage was read. The estimate increases the orignal cost bv £!>3, but provides a service. to praelicully the whole of the township, as-apain«-t a restricted area in the original scheme. The Board decided to call a meeting and test the feelings of the ratepayers. The foreman reported thai he Jiad been busy during the month, in routine work. Mr A. If. Moore wrote asking that a sum of £7 os, money." in trust for shareholders of the original Oimnake harbor survey, be handed ovei: to -him. The claim was admitted, and the clerk was authorised to make inquiries.