DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 8, 28 May 1914, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKETAWA. (From our own Correspondent.) The solo reason for growi for a conni«!"r;.li!c time has been of course, the wi-(.'•<» ( —hail, rain, sleet, anil a bitter cold r.K. gale. Plantations, etc., haye. suffered, and one will soon want a magnifying glass to see the milk product. Mr Ellis, the agricultural technical . lecturer, addressed a meeting in the local factory on Monday night, about eighteen being present. The subject of the lecture, ''Typical Cows and their selection," was handled in an interesting manner, the lecturer being listened to very attentively. The factory room at the best of iimes is not quite the comfortable piece it could be io sit out a couple of 'hours, and on .Monday night the temperature was such that I'm afraid the meetings will suffer in future. H vva.- mentioned (hat there would be a possibility of future lectures being given in the Xorfolk and Durham schools, and I feel sure tlie attendance would then be more gratifying to all concerned.

The l'kelihood of a toll-gate being erected by the Stratford County Council on tlie edge of the Taranaki County at Waipuku, is causing a deal of discussion, and if the Stratford people are wise, they will see to it that such a proposal is not carried out. A large number in fciie Tarnnaki County do considerable business of all kinds in that town, and the erection of the toll-gate will only tend to divert it elsewhere ill many cases, and in others effect a large curtainment. The road 1 ml.untenance is just the problem. of fhe Jay, and as the question of more taxes on the land for that purpose will be. bitterly opposed, all schemes submitted as a solution should be carefully j considered. However, I suppose it is j quite within tlie rig-lit of tho Taranaki i County to erect a gate on this side of the Waipuku bridge in conjunction with | the one on the Stratford side, so travelj lers can expect a merry littlo time byj and-byc.

From information supplied it seems tlie Farmers' Co-operativo Organisation is travelling ahead at a great rate, and the careful method adopted by the directorate of making haute slowly (as the chairman put it .it the Opunake meeting) is bound-to meet with the approval of the shareholders. Tile concern which Jias been in the farmers' hands for a little over a month can show results that should be gratifying to present shareholders and encouraging to prospc.'t'.va ones-, and further trad t.o expel any doubtful ideas as to this further trial of co-operation. The sale of stock commission for April broke all records of the previous firm's auctions, being COOi) odd for the mouth. The sole commission on agricultural implements (the Society being agent-' for the International Harvester Co.) exceeded £l2O for a. like period, while the sale of land commission for a period.of six weeks tallied something over .COM). 80 much for the auctioneering part of the business. and if that isn't satisfactory news to the shareholders, well, they're hard to please. The Society handles the whole of the honey produced in the Dominion (t li : i whole of .the honey assfx-iatrons haying come into the organisation), and one shipment of 30.'$ cases-, with' another like n.-pin-LMit to follow, hi-i already goui* through Waitara, while •other consignments have gone out through other ports of the Dominion. The (jucst,:on of eon»oli<fcting ithe output of dairy produce is to be considered at a lingo meeting in I'almerston during show week, and as -Um c-i'gniiis.itioii, oilers exceptional facilities, etc., and being a truly farmers' combination, it nhou'd also take in hand that branch of the produce. It is hoped that farmers will recognise the advantage v f *oii(i ar jty in t;lm -'nstancC, sink all pa rodttal idea? aft", party difference:! in the interest of the whole, and go ''bald headed" for combination,

The South Island co-operative ciations have circularised those of the North regarding a conference with the view of federation for business purpose#, and a perusal of tlu< proposed objects will show that at hist the main producers have awakened to the advantage of ''"lie interest—and all together." Truly the wave of co-operation is attaining ,i force in New Zealand, and there is 110 doubt will result in incalculable bcuetU to all. The puzzle is that, the dairy farmer, who must. Hee the benefit "i eo-operation an shown by his dairy factory, has been so laggard in extending its scope, as have done other par Is- of the world. I'oiwiilcri'ng the weather drawback, the carpenters engaged on the residence tor Mr. Kd. Creaii on tipper Durham road are making good progress. The buildin;;, being in a prominent position, should soon be visible for a consi leiable distance. The resignation of the. \foa road foreman (Mr. n. Jones), who had the looking after this end of the district, and the shortage of stone breakers, both items tending to delay in repairs, makes one rather anxious as to the condition of our load, which i.? daily becoming worse.

It is hoped that those initiating the move for a Moa County will brinj; forward souif! working seliemo in aiH: ; iw« of tlie [d-i -sent humbug system, ami I'm sure if sn.-h proposals are formuUt-jd the new county proposal will lr-.-civo whole-hearted support.

It-UK WORTH. Mr. and Mrs. R. Gilbert entertain,.( a large number of friends and platvc ■; in the schoolroom on Tuesday evenin;;, I" celebrate the. coming' of ago of (heir second son, tflarence. After good music and ft good- door comes thill all-importiint |>"i't of s""!i function.?, the supper, which, oil this occasion, was artistically laid out om decorated tables in a largo mart;u>", specially erc-ted for the purpose. .Miss Vera Sehodroski, who had <•!>:' .-g.» of the iu-r«lifting, i» to be complirr. - teil (in the result.

After the gucsU had done full jivi'sco to the tem;>iiiis; viands, Mr. P. Ash-i. in n happy [l"fli, proposed the tone of tlie guest it honor, Mr. C. Oilberi- responding. The toast was) musi -.i'ly honored, after which the cako, cut. by the "new" man, was sampled by the guests. Vocal items were rendered during the evening by Mrs. Ritchie, Misses V...uid S. Gilbert, Mr.. Asher, Mr. L. Gilb-'i't, Mr. Dm low, and a piano duet ..y Masters A. and R. Gilbert. Splendid music w;m provided for the dance* by Miss Brewer, with extras by Mrs. Ritchie, Sirs. Gilbert, and Miss Lawrence. Mr. Lister was M.C.

Amongst others present I noticed Mi's. R. Gilbert wearing a handsome velvet gown relieved with blue. Mrs. F. Bennett (Inglewood), black velvet with tenerifl'e collar. Mrs. Lister, white embroidered muslin. Mrs Bryd'.in, black laoe over cardinal silk. Mrs. Ritihic, cream satin. Mrs. Ilill, pink voile. Mrs. Waters, grey -voile. Mrs. Afhcr, Shot silk Mrs. I'akcr, cream voile. Mrs. 'Turner, pale blue.

■Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie have left the-e parts and taken up their residence 111 Xew Plymouth, and Hurworth ia the loser thereby. Mrs. Ritchie's plate will be hard to fill-, especially at social functions, where she always ungrudgingly assisted with the jnusieal and vocal items. Mr. Leo Gilbert, who is employed in the locomotive department at N'eliwn, has been transferred to Hawera. A scheme is on toot to form 11 Hattiers' association, comprising. settlers from the Frankley, -Mangorei and C-ir-nngton roads. It is about time these districts caine into their own.