DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 190, 20 January 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAXCOUKI. (From our Own Correspondent.)

| In the Daily News issue preceding New Year's Eve, the leader on "The I'assingl 'of the Year" ends with wishing readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Mangorei notes, on behalf of local readers, coininenee by tendering cordial reciprocation of good wishes. One paragraph, brief yet potent, punctuates t.Ve leader with forceful simplicity in these words: "Meanwhile if each one tries to be helpful to the other, it will materially help to promote the general good of the community." In this is embraced the quintessence of what goes to make for social success and excellence. May we all take it to heart, apply it in practice, and profit by it. It is auspicious to reflect that perhaps in no year since our country settled steadily to the plough instead of the sword of Maori wartimes, has this capacity for helpfulness one toward another, been so strikingly emphasised. No "pim" is intended, though the strikes of the earlier part of the year are referred to, wheh we pastoral producers readily cooperated i'l both protective and punitive way, to guard our products of dairying from the en.'wy within our wites, whilst durmg the hitter half of f'i ■ year, a--ro.v, v.e combined in helpfully ec-nvcat-ing (in a v.'cy that is becoming a revelation to adverse nations) against the

niii;!u.'i-t, the most ruthles-, and treacherous foe <:■ tsi'.'e our ccmu that ever nation or Empire had to confront. Here our eouni.ynen's share in the proffered help «ne 1,0 another lias brer, ami is still bring shown. Even the dissentient squeak of the sordid or morbid skirl; er seems at last dead, or at least, I'ot -cry shame, hushed to silence. In matters associated with education in one part of Mangorei, miitjal helpfulness lias been carried out (Hiring the year -1014. Residents interested in the Uppej Mangorei school have evolved a movement around which, as a nucleus, have accrued convivial gatherings of the most cordial nature; started by a few open-minded progressives. As most things, eveti of this peaceful character, have to be battled for, the little army of friendly "allies" arranged a campaign through the district, one leading lady, as captain, even extended operations (as some said) across the school committee frontier into an adjacent country, and did scout and outpost duty, and did it too, without losing (rather decidedly gaining) prestige and dignity, and did it successfully, for the invaded territory, not proving alien or an enemy, recognised the army work and gave the reconnoitring one the required recognition. By combined efforts a piano deposit fund was obtained and secured a splendid sixty guinea instrument. A call for guarantors was readily responded to, and an entertainment committee being formed (with which the school committee combined advantageously) worked away in obtaining the practical support where "each one tries /to be helpful to the other" (Daily News advice) amongst residents furthering the good cause. This musical acquisition became- duly and' happily installed in the school, when the occasion was made an opening item in the season's list of "socials," as successful as any country school ever provided auditorium, floor and /'atform for. At the series of frequent gatherings that followed. Mr Knauff, chairman of the school committee, usually presided, with the assistance of Mr, Brown, junr. in control, when light fantastic steps, and physical evolutions of the sociable "hop" were being gone through to buoyant, mirth-inspiring, and choice accompaniment emanating from the specially appointed instrument of chorus and harmony. Throughout, Miss Bartlett

(school teacher) aided untiringly, both by direct contribution to the programme, ' and by preparing to an admirable pitch i of excellence some of her scholars, of whom not a few show bright musical ; promise.

One feature conspicuously character- ' I sed these meetings of pakeha and Maori festive makers, and one that is in some localities conspicuous by absence, that is the irreproachable good manners of the young fellows, who seem to know how to strenuously enthuse, without becoming objectionable. Do we sec here the earlier restraining influence of the territorial training system, in imparting the lesson that the educated world has ever learned that it is honorable and not demeaning to be amenable and obedient to proper control, command, and authority? It will cohio throughout in time, as it always has come. There is nothing exceptional or novel about human natnro of to-day, no matter how "up-to-date" it may arrogate itself to be. . Whilst this forward march has been going on in upper Mangorei, and a steady high status achieved and maintained. Lower Mangorei lias been singularly exempt from all such; indeed, in some ways the place seems to have retrograded. The reputation and popularity of our school here has been menaced through wanton disregard of mannerly conduct out of school by some scholars. The | school might benefit by more frequent and regular holding of committee meetings. Once or twice the committee has by law actually lapsed through lack of meeting; and the present chairman determinedly sets himself against holdinf regular meetings oftener than ever; three months! Matters would bi greatly improved by effecting an amal gamation of the two schools in Mangorei by the Upper being brought down tin Mangorei road to meet the householder on the lower part of the road. Witl this combination a really good schoo could be formed that would prove worth; of fuller recognition from the Educatioi Board. This has been popularly arguei for some years, and the need increase as time goes on The year lias brought us into greate adaptation to civic proximity, by eon formity (voluntary or compulsory) I' those by-laws and regulations that ar a sure indication of a"coming awav. more and more, from unceremonious ye fit hardiness of habits that accompani back-block life. Dependence and inter dependence are conditions imposed 011 in dividuals when gathered into eommun ities; and absolute freedom of natur. gives place to a. code of methods an' manners, which, for the general good each should adopt. Limitation of action is the price we have to pav for obtaining the benefits of civil and conventional life, and those benefits are cheap at the price. Of course, here and there, laggards exist who hang hack dinging lingcringly to the rough though worthy enough hardihood that go with earlier settlement. It. is here that the child becomes occasionally parent to the man. Some time ago. travelling through back country about the up,*er reaches of i lie Wanganui I'ivcr. T was in pleasant conversation with a hardy and robust «•>{- tier. Vigorously wrestling and at daily grip with unbroken nature: steadily subduing her with keen regard for future commercial and indusfrii-l advantages, my companion was regretting the clamor then being made 011 tbe conservation of bush, splendid in stately grandeur, with regard for its incalculable scenic value. "Sec," said hi l , with itnpal ienee. and rscntrnent frowned from his virile visage. "see how many sheep that land would carry when cleared, that is now only a waste and wilderness." Deploring thus from his fond of influences and experiences derived from a hr'rd and early school of sturdy expediency. tin Subject advantage: of education camr '■) ny leter in your- of the ."th inst. 1 up. and here he spoke proudly of tin promise shown by "hi- cl,i!,|ren. Tfis eld est girl lie pari ieularly e\lo]led. savin how cleverly she could draw and paint Rome of the pictures were ipst grant

man! just beautiful! and looked just like nature! (Some of the paintings were going to be framed, when they would hang on the walls of the family living room, etc., etc. Here we get the question of conventionality and nature. The child, with a greater measure of .•oiivi'iitional training, had taught the j .impler trained father unconsciously to ] .dmire and appreciate beauty, and had ; brought the time when embellishing ac- ■ . ompaninients, and asthetic claims, were

to hold a place side by side with crude

hard materialism of nude necessity whore dressings of decoraion in social life were to lie recognised as well us wool and mutton. Mangorei road* are being better cared for now, and the pest of stray stock is being dealt with officially, where in yast years, roads were, ill the eyes of some, ■ yarded as long-acres of grazing, but ■. w, in the hands of our worthy fore,•i, under county control, roads are hways with_watertables to be kept :rder. There bus just been coped with ■ glaring case where horses ! >ve for ■ rs been practically ream! m the

ails Two years ago Mange" •• notes 'referred to this case. Wore it ]: • -ticablc for the local body to collect giv ;g dues for the, heads of horses grazed, at ordinary rates, anything up to twenty pounds should be forthcoming from the "grazier," with which to make good damage dond bv such crass practices. There must have been something wrong in some way until recently, for when" warned that the (then) county inspector might have the horses impounded, the delinquent was able to state with .is'surance that "he wasn't foolish enough to put his horses out when the inspector was coming along!" . Sable death, with scythe and swath, has garnered in some missed and mourned ones; amongst whom count old Taranaki settlers identified with earliest times, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, Mr. Simpson, and Mrs. Salisbury; but the number of those "gone before" have been largely exceeded by the many born to our immediate neighborhood, which in this way is bright with promise and hope. And why not? 1 Allowing a miirgin for the 'influence of heredity or foreliatalism, is not infantile humanity sensitive and plastic material, to bo modelled and "made up" much as we elders choose to form it? Let us remember that this juvenile element in due time is to inherit the products of generations of British ei"ilisation, to accept as a sacred heritage to preserve and hand 011 still improved, or to sport with in wanton dissipation. It is mostly a matter of training; and oMop.t lessons have been daily occurring lor sonic months past to disclose how lax and remits we Britisheri liave been, and still are in this matter of "training." But we shall be, as hitherto, "there" when the times demand, though slow and a bit late in arriving. • Wedding bells have been rung through the season in our midst; even the last ! day of the year having recorded nuptial devotees. Much that remains to be told must perforce be deferred for future issues. Again Mr. Editor, your own correspondent wishes you and your estimable and courteous staff a season's prosperity. MANAIA. (From a Correspondent). I Prevailing opinion in Manaia as to thej railway communication with tho Opunake-Eltham line is very pessimistic. Manaia, being a Liberal town, looks on tho veiled promises of the Minister for Public Works as only vote-cateliing. The experience of the Waimate West V County Council over its loan, «aich was { promised some time ago, bears the opin-1 ion out. Getting money from the pie-' sent Government is like drawing a tooth. Every deputation which meets the Hon. Fraser always have a doleful look on their countenances as they file out from

his presence. The heavy downfall of rain recently was much appreciated bv graziers and dairy fanners. Those with hay out were not so pleased, but it would be hard to satisfy everybody. There is a keen demand for farm hands

jr milking, liay-making, etc., the war piling its talc on labor. Mr J. Mouri's well-known and splendid-t'-kept coach teams arc gone, anil the. lotor 'lms takes their place. In anther five years, horse carriages will e a rarity. The calf market opened up on the Oth f January inauspiciously. (Jood %- red Jersey heifers brought only Gs per ead at auction. Taranaki is overtocked from a marketable point of iew with the heifer class. Cheese is a great price, and butterit is fully expected, to command Is 44 a Is 5d for this season's supply from loose! factories. South Taranaki visitors are deliglit--3 with their pleasant holiday spent in ew Plymouth at Xmas time. Many complaints are made re the ant of news as to how the Taranaki etroleum developments are going on. here are a lot of shareholders on the lains, who, if they had their way, would ote all the present directors out of (lice. New blood seems badly wanted p your way. TATARAIMAKA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

To-day (Sunday) has been a very sad one for many of the residents of Tataraimaka and Oakura. With the ann shining brightly overhead under the shallow of Mt. Egmont, and listening to the sound of the waves breaking oil ■ tile beach, we laid at rest one who for many years has gone in and out amongst us always doing her duty quietly, looking | well to the ways of her household, and j bringing up a large family respectably, lis we stood by the open grave, listening to the few earnest by Archdeacon Evans, out hearts went out in sympathy for the "Morris boys" in their heavy loss and great grief, es- j pecially so in the case of Mr Morris, senr., who was mourning for the loss of his companion for forty-six years. It comes as a terrible wrench parting from one's companion of half a hundred years. For Mrs Morris' only daughter, Mrs. W. Iloneyfield universal sympathy is fell,. Death has been very busy reaping his harvest among us lately, the call having toinr to tile infant daughter of Mr T. Morris. "Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And her parents endeavour to bow to the will of their Maker. Yet another of our esteemed settlers lost a parent, Mrs W. Linn's father having been gored to death by a bull. The sadness of the manner of the death, and the consequent shock, have told heavily on Mrs Linn, but Time—the mightly healer - will. v.v (rust, assuage hej grief. ' The holidays are almost a thing of thi> past, and still no word of another schoolroom. I do not believe in dumb despair. "Let us then he up and iloin" willi a In-art f,,r miv fate." is more to the point, arid T iln not blame the Board for not providing us with the ii'Tcssarv enlargement of our Ideal school. What I do blame them for is I hat they have failed to recognise the urgency of the case. Other schools, nol half so overcrowded have received relief. and if the Departmi'iit is holding back until the County rebuilds the broken liridge by which two families u"od to travel to Oakura school, then they will wait, till the las! trump sounds for tiles,, two families are residents of Tataraimaka district, and entitled to have their fair share of the Tataraimaka school building', and a certain amount, of breathing space, and this despite the new bridge or broken down bridgfi.

[ One still hears occasionally echoes of nur unique effort, the bazaar. As 1 lave not seen the amount' handed over liy the ladies committee to the Belgian ind mentioned in the Xews. 1 append it here, After paying balance, on our school giano, some £3O, they (the ladies) were able to hand over to what has been called "that proud and thrifty na- ; tion, Belgium," the sum of £lB, thii ' being a second instalment. And We mean to do more when we ■ et breath-jng-space, and also a few mere cheques. All here depends on the s<. te of our : milk cheques, and this reminds me of i a remark passed by a friend the other j | day. Talking of dairying matters gen- ' erally, he said, "By the way, that facj try of yours is the latest in New Zea- ! land." I suggested to my friend that i 'perhaps they had got into the habit of being late during the Maori war, and had been keeping it- up ever sinee. Certain it is that to people who have been supplying the factories on the other side of the mountain —Stratford, for instance —the lotus-eating style of our local factory is, to say the least of it, trying. It is comforting to those who have been trying to graft for Belgium to read the King's appreciative words, and to know that our small efforts have materially aided in relieving that nation's matchless sorrow and distress. j

I hope the final count will result in the country retaining Dr. McNab's services. In times like these this country can ill afford to lose services such as lie is prepared to give, and it is high time justice should lie done to him. Harvesting is in full swing. The season is very late, but the broken weather has rescued many crops of turnips and mangolds. Now it is fine again, people hope hay and oats may he safely garnered, seeing fodder of all kinds will be so valuable.