DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 11 February 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

PCIvEAKI'IIK. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The district was en fete on Friday' last when the local school children held their annual picnic in Mr \V. J. Bowman's paddock, kindly lent for the occasion. The grounds were both central and conveniently situated and the glorious weather prevailing added much to the day's outing.

A ladies' committee consisting of Mesdames liownian, Davis, Penwardcn, H. ftVells, Waterson, Evans, Howe, Freeth, Martin and Miss Clarice Wells and the schoolmistress (Mrs Cartwright) were responsible for the undertaking, and it is quite safe to say their labors were duly rewarded and appreciated judging from the satisfactory way in which the alfair passed off. The ladies are certainly to be congratulated upon the excellent luncheon prepared and donated by tlieni, the "inner circles" being tastefully and amply provided for.

'By invitation the Mimi sciiool children, accompanied by their school teacher (Mrs liurfitt ) and parents, joined in the gathering and their presence at the function made it all the more enjoyable. The sports programme was made up chiefly in running events, and tile prizes for same were given out in silver coin. Miscellaneous toys were distributed among the smaller children. The whole amount of the expenditure was subscribed by the inhabitants, the same being collected by .Miss Hazel Wells. Mrs. Bowman also gave a tin of mixed lollies, and Mr C. Dunbar a few prizes. Following are some of the results:— Boys' race, ].}o yards:—Charles! Davis 1, Reginald Spurr -2, Hugh Martin 3. * I

Gilrs' Race: —Marjory Freeth 1, Myrtle Phillips 2, Hazel Wells 3. . Boys' Race:—Harold liowe 1, Dick Cartwright 2, A. Smith o. Girls' Race: —Jessie Smith 1, Grace Glassford "2, Keitha Freeth 3. Boys' do: —Stanley Phillips 1, Bertram Evans and Donald Butler '2. Sack Race (hovs): —Stanley Phillips 1, Jim Cartwright "2, Harold Rowe 3. Boys' Race (over 12): —Reginald Spurr 1, Vincent Wells 2, A. Smith 3. Girls' Race: —Hazel Wells 1, Mabel Phillips 2, E. Phillips 3. Boy's ißace (under 12): —Harold Smith 1, Roy Butler a, Bertram Evans 3. Girls' race (under 12):—Keitha Freeth 1, Barbara Cartwright 2, Grace Glassford 3. Boys' Race —Laurie Wells 1. Don. Butler 2, Roy Butler 3. Murriefl -Men's Race:—Arthur 1 >av:s 1, I>. Pcnwarden 2, J. Martin 3. Single Men's Rate:—George Martin 1, Andrew Sorensen 2, Tom .Martin 3. Boy's three-legged race:—C. Davis and R. Spurr 1. Girls' three-legged race:— Myrtle Phillips and Jessie SiimJi 1. Boys' Race (final): —Edmund Evans 1, M. Glassford 2, Jim Cartwright 3, Pop. Cartwright 4.

A dance in the evening wound up the day's entertainment.

The forthcoming cricket match, North v. South Pukeartthe, to be played on one of .Mr Bowman's White Wills paddocks, and timed to come oil next Friday, is eliciting keen interest among the' parties concerned. It is freely stated, though good naturedly no (lount, that "oughts'' minus crosses will be the prevailing figures and much in evidence on that eventful day. We shall see.

DURHAM BQA». The Durham school re opened after the Christmas holidays 011 .Vlonday, Ist inst. The total cumber on the 'roll is at present 4-1 boys 22, girls '22. Alias S. McCurmack has been appointed to the position of asssitaut teacher.

A very heavy downpour was experienced here for a. couple of hours during the early pari of Sunday last, and in a very short while creeks, water tables, etc., were .running full, while the paddocks allowed numerous pools. The turnip paddocks put on a very fresli appearance, and the "drop" was just what was wanted to give the crop a real "liMp." The test card at the Durham creamery has a range from 3.7 to 4.4, and the. milk supply is .of -the up and down variety. The quality inf .the .JJurham road land for grazing purposes is amply shown liv tne fact, tliat on 250 acres one man is running 800 sheep, lio head of cattle, several horses and a number of calves, and yet had found it necessary to run the mower over a goodly portion on which his dairy cows have been running and from which « fair-sized stack of hay has been obtained.

The usual monthly meeting of the School Committee was held on .the Ist inst., all inetjlirrs being present. Jt was decided to amalgamate with the Inglewood Committee for the seaside excursion which lias been fixed for the -(tli March.- Other matters of minor importance were dealt with. j The discussion at ttlie Tuvanaki County meeting re the blackberry curse i as showing tlia t some interest is being aroused to the danger, is very •picas- j ing to those who rwojaiise the gravity , of the matter, and those councillors who i were responsible for the -ventilation of ; the matter can rest assured of the I gratitude of those biteresteil. The ninnner in which the Agricultural Society has grasped the trouble. has received favorable comment, and several have expressed the hope that the recommendations will be adopted by the powers that be in their entirety. An 'amendment of tile obsolete Act is urgently required, and f again repeat that the dilly-dallying methods of the past must end, and quickly, else disaster to the grandest province in the lioniinion will ensue. People may scotV at and belittle the danger or ridicule the constant reiteration of the matter. lint when one takes the trouble tn ferret out probable reasons an explanation is t'asy. When the war on birds is started, as most assuredly it will lie, it must not ne forgotten that the quail are seed s|ircaders, and the men in those , parts when- new country is being opened would do well to keep their weather eye open. A demonstration of the AutomaticSeparator was given in the Makctawa factory on Sunday between 7 and S.lirt a.m. The machine, which is, I should think, about the last word in separators, seems to have aroused considerable interest, and it is a pity that the time arranged for the demonstration precluded those from the upper portions of the roads from being present.