DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 180, 8 January 1915, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

DURHAM ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent ) The unfavorable weatlier during December greatly hindered tho getting ready of ground for ploughing, and, as a consequence, the sowing of turnips lias been delayed. The recent fine spell has seen a tremendous rush with all kinds of farm implements, and tho moonlight nights have allowed all classes of work to be proceeded with up to a late hour. Turnip drills have been at work up to 10 p.m. What is a handicap to one branch of fanning work seems to be a great incentive to another, as is evidenced by the fact that the damp weather has kept in an improved crndition the pastures, and ill consequence the cows in every instance are keeping their end up satisfactorily. The Durham School Committee held its usual monthly meeting on Monday night last. A communication was received from tho teacher, showing that the sum of ,€3 2s fid (the result of the children's entertainment) had been paid to the Inglewood secretary of the Bel ; 'aian Fund, Aceoimts amounting to £3 17s fid (cleaning and drainage pipes) were passed for payment, and several minor matters were attended to.

I was pleased to see the strides the Daily Xews is making in regard to provincial delivery, and it is to be hoped the farming community, who should recognise the benefit- of the morning paper as a means of keeping in touch with outside happenings, will appreciate the effort made to a still further extent. It does seem remarkable that a paper, which exists for advertising purposes for the general public, neglects to use the same means for its own benefit. Readers should bear in mind that a paper well supported means quicker benefits to themselves in every respect, and, therefore, recognising that, I feel compelled to add these few lines of appreciation of the progressive move outlined in a recent Daily Xews, and would further like to express the hope that country readers will do their little bit in helping to bring the different parts of the district into closer connection per medium of district notes We want to know how the other chap is doing, and the quicker the better, so the Daily Xews is just the thing. Xew Year's Eve has evidently not lost its old-time association with practical jokes. One used to expect some such games in the towns, but it came as a surprise to find that in the quietness of country life we have to expect, some time or other, a stir-up equal to that of the centres. Many of our residents had to go visiting, in order to find and exchange gates. Others bad to remove' agricultural implements and logs of wood , from their entrances, and the work put i in by the perpetrators of tho joke should be taken as an indication that the com- i ing year is to keep them busy. As no damage was done, the affair seems to have been' taken in the spirit it was ' hoped for, but the identity of the in- ' dividuals causes much speculation. I

The oat crops in many instances give promise of good yields, while in others the indications are that they will hardly pay for the work of harvesting. Grass feed is very plentiful, and the hay paddocks, wdiile not up to the weight of last season, have thickened up remarkably. There are some very nice-looking potat® patches that still promise well.