DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 248, 29 March 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

DURHAM EOAD.

(From ur Own Correspondent.) The Maketawa factory picuic and sports struck bad weather this year, and as a consequence was postponed from Thursday to the day following, whicli did. not break very promising. Showers fell during the afternoon, causing inconvenience, but I understand the. affair was, highly successful, and the Belgian Fund should receive a big lift.

Muggy and undesirable weather still j continues with mostly S to E.E wind. Cows are rapidly approaching the dry stage. Pastures are loking fresh and green as also both the turnip and oat paddocks, and one wonders what those in. other parts of the Island would say to the appearance of the land and cattle compared to the drought stricken animals to be seen from the train. We may get a lot of rain in the Inglewocd district, and at times receive some sarcastic jests as to same, but we ean always' rely upon good feed, etc., all the year, and I fancy the milk yield from the district will compare favorably with that of the (imagined) more favorable parts.

I understand that the Moa County proposal has not, as has been supposed, died a natural death, and t; ■ steps are to be taken to revive the matter for consideration at the coming session of Parliament. It is to be hoped settlers in the district will recognise that the move: is one of progress and support it wool';-. hcartedly. j A party of farmers recently talking about hlaekberries, and at times their rapid growth, were startled by one of their number stating that the plant was known to grow 6in in 24 hours. Now an instance has come to my knowledge th»t may be interesting to readers. On Vita December a blackberry of the American variety was cut oft* about a foot from the ground. On March Bth it was visited again, and from the stalk left a shoot over one inch thick had grown; it travelled along a log, over ?Tie top of a heap of Bracken fern, and then on the tup of cocksfoot stalks before finally diving to the ground, where it vas preparing to take hold. It was measured by ihc length of the hook and handle, going seven times the length of same. As the Tiook etc., measured 4ft 4in, the total length of the "runner" can be ascertained, as also by taking the period mentiorred, the daily growth. Its enough to make some people say "Next please,!' but seeing is believing. Many farmers around here having cull cows to sell are doing a big growl because the freezing companies working the district are unable to doal with the cattle, and as the stuff lias to be disposed of a loss is anticipated. As an attempt is being made to st'tft co-operative freezing works, small fanners should sec to it that their support is given in a generous manner. Already I have heard emments antagonistic! to the Lepperton site, but I would like to point out.' although personally hi favor of the Moturoa one, that we must J be guided by expert opinion, and it will not.be to the interest-of the small far-, merto quibble over such matters. <}it co-operative freezing works by hook or by crook as soon as possible, only ?fe they are co-operative, and then stick to your own concern. The inspection of tlie Durham, school on the Oth inst. has resulted in a very satisfactory report from Inspector Ballantyne, and residents are to be congratulated on one or two points. Ti'C children had been very regular and punctual in their attendance being one, and the other the fact of having a teacher of Miss Myer's evident ability. The inspector points out that the issue of- 10 first class and four second class certificates for attendance during 1914 is a, remarkably good record for a school of this size. Parents should note this, and remember that good progress cannot be' attained by their children unless the children attend regularly. I hope to see the above record broken for 1015. The marks in connection with beautifying grounds, etc. (of interest to school committee) were 75 out of a possible 100. Residents, by showing interest in their school, and thus encouraging the pupils, could assist school committees in this matter, and I fancy want a shake-up all over the district.