DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 25 November 1914, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

TATARAIMAKA. The ladies of the district have been I very busy preparing for their bazaar, which is being held on Friday and Saturday, 27th and 28th November. Their arrangements are almost complete. Mr Okey, M.P., who had been invited to open the bazaar, has been compelled, through stress of work, to decline; but he very generously forwarded a donation to the funds. The primary object for which the bazaar is being held is to pay for the school piano, and should good luck attend the ladies' efforts, they hope to be able to hand over a surplus to the Belgian Relief Fund. The ladies have given of their best, both in time and money, to make a success of the affair, and we all hope they will be rewarded by a large number of visitors, more particularly seeing they have decided to make no charge for admission. We are all hoping Jupiter Pluvius may be in an amiable mood for these two days at least.

Talking of weather reminds me of what a splendid weather prophet Mr Bates must be. Some time ago he announced there would be a storm in the middle of next week, and sure enough it was there in good time, and were one to describe the winds as "zephyrs," one might be had up for libel.. ' We are getting rid of the nasty, dangerous corners on the main road by degrees. One particularly bad corner, near the Timaru factory, is being cut away, I see. It will be a great improvement to the road when all the Bliarp corners are cut away and the terribly dangerous ditches filled in. One of the worst lies between the Petone road (past the Anglican Church) to the top of the hill. The surveyors have reached the Timaru river, and I expect their troubles arc only beginning now. But I presume they belong to the sort of people who do not believe in the word impossible. Were the railway stated from Moturoa it need not take long to reach Okato; and this would embrace the worst hills on the whole road. I suppose very shortly the distance will be covered by flying machines.

So far I have not noticed any blight on the early potatoes, which is consoling, but the bumble bees have played complete havoc among the broad beans. We arc to have Mr Ban Hughes here on Wednesday evening, and Mr Okey on the following Monday. It is to be hoped neither of them strikes a bad night, as no doubt all the settlers will feel interested in the former, just to see what manner of man he is, and in the latter, seeing he comes before his constituents to give an account of his stewardship. His speech should be interesting, as much water has flowed under the bridges since last he spoke here. It makes one feel as if, after all, there must be something in being a Christian when we see how splendidly the British treat their enemies. And especially one feels proud to think that at the head of the great British nation stand such gians among men as our Lloyd George and Mr Asquith. The cows are, in some cases, rather disappointing this year, although we are better off ilian somewhere down the coast, -where they talk of the season ending at the New Year. But then, perhaps, the writer of that particular paragraph is a pessimist, and that makes all the difference, you know.

RAHOTU. There is an epidemic going under the name of influenza in the district. It is a peculiar illness, coming on so suddenly. Some have coughs and colds, as well as the sickness and pains. It seems in some cases almost like ptomaine poisoning, and several of a family are often affected at once. We are pleased to report that Mr C. Cole has recovered from his accident, which might have proved fatal, also Mr Knowles is now about on crutches. Mrs W. R. Wright has already sent away two large parcels of clothing, and is still receiving things, every one being i anxious to do their best for the poor in Belgium and Britain. Mrs Wilcox and Mrs L. Fischer are canvassing the soutli end of the district, and Misses Dew and | H. Wright the northern end. Gifts of money, cattle, poultry and other things \ are being given readily. It is proposed to sell all the animals and large tilings at Mr King's next sale day, December I. A concert, gift auction and dance is to be held shortly, when the small things are to be disposed of. Constable Kelly and Mrs Kelly are leaving the district, Mr Kelly having retired on superannuation. Both will bo very much missed, as they were always ready to help with anything that came along. A meeting of the Sports committee was held the other evening, when the balance-sheet was presented for the past year. It showed that the Club had a very satisfactory balance. The secretary was voted three guineas for past services. It,was decided owing to the war not to hold the annual sports on New Year's Day. The local dairy company pay-out for October butter-fat amounts to about £I6OO at the rate of lOd per lb. butterfat it was decided also to pay lOd for November, and after that directors thought Is Id per lb. might be paid.