DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 246, 26 March 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

TATARAIMAKA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) With us the weather has been latterly all the heart of the farmer could desire. During the time hay-making and harvesting were in full swing one perfect day succeeded another, witli just an occasional shower to gladden the hearts of th-.t turnips.

We in common with the whole of New Zealand feel rejoiced to think that I'ic drought has broken up in the north, and in Hawke's Bay, and other districts. Here in Tataraimaka, should no rain fall for about a fortnight, we eagerly scan the sky morning, night and noon in hopes of Beeing favorable signs of approaching rain. There has for some time been quite a lull in local matters, owing greatly no doubt to the fact of there being so much sickness in the district. Now that the local school has been reopened, it is to be hoped no more cases of illness may jccur. We purpose, D.V. and weather permitting, to hold our 6chool picnic on Easter Monday in Mr Bridge's paddock, and as the ground is nice and level, with plenty of shade, we hope for a rca.l good time for the kiddies, who have had of late a trying time through sickness. The school committee have found ways «nd means to provide ample food, and ample sport. The refreshments will be of Mr Fox's best brand, both as to quantity and quality. The committee also invited the teacher, children and their parents from the Petone road to join in out merry-making. Speaking of school committee doings reminds me of the anxious time the local committee have recently experienced. Your own correspondent has been an old campaigner in school affairs, but can recall nothing equal to it. Hot weather, overcrowded school, no notice taken by the powers that be in the education line of our repeated protests. At last, however, there is a little break in the dark enveloping clouds. Some of the timber for the promised addition to our school has already arrived, with more to follow soon. Mr Moore, the overseer, left f some trestles, etc., on his way from Warea. so we are devoutly hoping that he or his men will make an early start. | It is not a superhuman task —merely an additional room, but it means much, very much, to our children, their teacherrs, and their parents. If possible, the committee will procure v a tent in which the teachers (Mrs Moss and Miss Gibson) will endeavor to carry on their , work of teaching during the time when: the school will be ur.d-.r repairs, anl eon. sequently not av-iiia-lc .or culinary pclool work. j

I notice in to-day's paper a very fair, account of the cheese meeting held last; night in Oakura Hall. Next to the war, cheese versus butter has held pride of place in our daily walk and conversation. I believe last night's was the sixth meeting held recently in the district on the momentous subject. Volumes might be written on the multitudinous schemes which have been in turn advocated and rejected < in connection with Oakura and its relations with Timaru and Petone. Suffice it to say that after twenty years of muddling, a new and thoroughly up-to-date factory is to be created on the company's site at Timaru. It is proposed to erect a dual plant, and thus afford the settlers every possible means of adding to their incomes.

They say everything comes to thoso who wait, but a new factory has been, like Royal Charlie, long In coming to the long Buffering dairy farmers of Tataraimaka,

OPUNAKE. Mr McKeown was not successful in getting the financial institutions in Wellington to favorably consider taking up the Harbor Board loan of £50,000. This was generally expected here. The Harbor Board is tied to a maximum payment of interest at five per cent, accoiding to tlie far-seeing financiers wh»n promoting the Bill. It is hardly likely that the money will be got under present C° n .i!'tiDu6, fti the lending institutions can e;:l!j place their tupusmidsj with local government bodies at 5 per cent, with one per cent, sinking fund. It is a waste of time for the Opunake Harbor Board expecting their loan to go off at five per cent (including sinking fund). To wait until the Government brings in legislation enabling harbor boards to come within scope of the Government Guaranteed Loans Act, is a "long, long way to Tipperary." The Harbor Board will have to try another door. An Oddfellows' Lodge (under American constitution) is now in process of formation here. A large number of those in attendance at the inaugural meetings were Manchester Unity members, who have been and will remain members of various lodges. Some of them belong to South Island Lodges.

Mr and Mrs J. Brennan left this week for Rotorua to take the baths that rejuvenate mankind. Mrs M. Hickey, I am sorry to say, Yei, on medical advice, been ordered to the New Plymouth hospital. The Opunakc boiling down works are at present closed down. The proprietor, (Mr Todd) considers it not worth his while bothering about keeping the pla..e open when it is run at a loss. The plant, according to tne Health Officer, (Mr Gardner), is one of the best in the southern hemisphere. It seems to l:e an unwise policy for cattle doctors to take diseased stock along the main roads to New Plymouth and Hawera, there to be condemned by the eagle-eyd inspector. During the journey the diseased cattle are dropping broadcast the germs of disease, and <vhen this state of things becomes more generally known the farmers will protest strongly. Another point is, we have no abattairs to guard tlie consumer against diseased meat, and should have every consideration from the Department. New stables are to be built by Mr. J. Knowles on the site of the late stables destroyed by fire recently. It is also reported that yards suitable for a horse fair sale will be included in the work to be let. This will be handy to the Farmers' Co-operative sale yards. , Tlie sale on Monday brought into Opunakc a large number of visitors. The crowd at the sale was in good humor, and dairymen's jokes were frequently parcelled out by the rail-sitters. It was astonishing how the bids were quickly forth-coming for stock that could lie turned into beef or prime tinned meat.

AUBOA. Two rinks of Pihama bowlers visited Auroa last Saturday, and gave the latter club an interesting time in trying to keep the scores somewhat even. However, the Pihama boys carried the day by 1-5 points, after a most enjoyable afternoon. The Auroa Club intends returning the visit next Saturday.

The road contracts and threshing have been greatly delayed this last fortnight on account of the bad weather. Mr. H. Buxton lias got one of the best crops of potatoes seen in this district for many years. The crop, which is New Zealand Star, is estimated to vield 20 tons to the acre.

Mr. M. Duggan had a very narrow escape from a very nasty accident tlic other day. He had been away driving, and, leaving the foal behind, was just returning through the paddock, when the foal galloped right into the gig, breaking the shaft and throwing Mr. friggaa beneath the gig, iFortuiiaiely,

he hung on to the reins, and no further damage was done. The proposed trip of the Opunake and Auroa bowlers around the mountain has been postponed on account of the wet weather. Another instance of the benefits of co-cperation is published. The director,; of the South Taranaki Bacon CoirtfiT.y have announced that they are pa' ;ig a bonus of %d per pound on all porkers supplied from February 1 last. Several farmers have been inconvenienced lately simply through not looking up the advertisements in the paper, on account of the dates of receiving pigs and of the Auroa sale being altered. The dance that was held last week on account of the hall proved a great success, in spite of having been postponed, 40 couples gracing the floor. The Smith orchestra supplied the music, which was up to its usual standard.