DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 285, 11 May 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

DURHAM HOAD. (Krom Our Own Correspondent). We liavo been experiencing what can be termed very favorable weather for dairying during tlic past fortnight. (At times a south-easter threatens, but somehow manages to sheer off, and though nights are eoUl the day;; are all that could be desired for this time of the year, and a decided improvement of that of la,st season.

Sportsmen are evidently out in force, judging by the reports of guns in all directions. "Mr. Hunny" is getting a rare hustling, but I understand birds are few and far between. j The creamery closes down on the 15th inst, until such time as the directors se« fit to re-open (so reads the notice). As many suppliers exp«et cows in towards the end of June they are faced with a. four-mile run to the factory at wintertime, and it cannot be said to be encouraging to dairymen to go in for winter milking, which is at times urged by the authorities. Many suppliers ar« rapidly drying off their herds rather than run the long distance, and I fancy it would have been a wiser plan to have brought the creamery suppliers together to talk the matter over and so devisf a suitable method for winter running. The following is a summary of the jumble sale and dance held in the school recently in aid of the Belgian fund:— Auction sale, £l3 fls lOd; dance, £2; doll (entries and sale), £2 Os; cushion (entries), 12s; sale of buttonholes, fls. The following cash donations make tli« total up to £2O:—F. Hodges 14s Bd, J. Salisbury ss, T. Cheemers 4s Cd. At the householders' meeting mention was made as to the importance of agricultural instruction being taken up at the .school, and residents were informed that their help would l)e both acceptable and valuable to the committee in the event of the matter being taken in hand later on. I.hope to be able to report that a start has been made within a eouple of months. The children were interested in the flower plots when initiated, and there is no reason why equal interest should not be shown regarding the other proposal, and parents should try and help as much as possible. The war business seems to have been brought close to our road just at present. Mr. (M. Dodunski has received a telegram from the Premier and the Defence Minister to the elTect that his son Anton has been wounded in the shoulder • in a recent-mix-up with the Turks. ) When strangers visit our road one of ! the first things wished for is a visit to j the mountain reserve, and the expressions of pleasure at the natural beauty • would gladden the hearts of the gentlemen who have control of the place. It | seems a pity that a riding track is not ! made into the reserve from suitable ' roads, and I may say our road provides pood access, it being metalled to within ) a mile of-the boundary. l}y opening up ! riding tracks, which would in no way interfere to any extent with the widergrowth, etc., the reserve would be better known and appreciated. Having overheard many surmises (many ! amusing) as to the 'Eye-Witness" whose reports from the war are read with avidity, perhaps the following cutting from an English paper would prore of interest to readers:—Lieutenant-Colonel E. D. fiwinton, D.5.0., Chief of the British In- > telligenee Staff at the front, author of j "The Green Curve," and now aeknow- I lodged to be "Eye-Witness," has been in ! many tight corners under fire, but cities | still have terrors for him. Ho detests, ( in particular, the elevator, of which he I has a horror. Colonel Swinton avoidi ! the tubes because of the lifts, and travel- j ling in the tubes themselves makes him i desperately uncomfortable.

TARATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Our lia 11 committee bus been very active, their main object being improving the ball and grounds. A working bee assembled and put down a much needed gravel path right round the. hall. The hall was also painted, whieh adds to its appearance. I understand that the committee has purchased the timber for lining the inside and that they intend putting it up next week. They have decided to hold a series of three euchre parties, the proceeds to go towards paying for the lining. Their next euchre night is on Thursday, 20th May, and I trust that there will be a big crowd present. I am sure one and all will agree when I say that it is a splendid asset to any district to have a nice comfortable liall.

The dairy factory is running every other day, and the dairy farmers will no doubt enjoy the oil season. Our district is looking particularly well for this time of the year. A team from the Tariki Tennis Club played the local team at Tarata last Ihursday. A very enjoyable day was spent, and some very exciting games were played. The final score was: Tariki i 5 games, Tarata 100. The Tariki players were a fine lot of sports, and played the game in its true spirit. The Tarata team is looking forward to the return match to be played at Tariki. It adds much to the pleasure and enjoyment of a game when you are playing against a team like Tariki. True sports every one of them. I have ro tender thanks to the ladies who provided afternoon tea.

This hall euchre party and dance held last Thursday night was well attended, and a very enjoyable time wag spent "ay all.

Inspectors Ballantyne and Whetter have been in the district visiting the various schools. Mr. J. C. Ellis, agriculture instructor, has also paid a visit to the local school.

Mr. Andy Taylor and Mr. H. Sander gave an evening to their many friends last Saturday night. As before published, Messrs Taylor and Sander were successful in winning cups at the last Tarata dog trial. Mr. R. Stuart presided, and a lengthy toast list was honored. One and all had a very enjoyable! time, and three hearty cheers were given for Messrs Taylor and Sander, tiieir win being a very popular one. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and the singing of God Save the King brought the evening to a finish. Mr. liower, the Clifton County Council Chairman, is at present in the district inspecting the various roads and bridges. Farmers express themselves as highly pleased with the untiring oll'nrttf of Mr. liower in looking after the interests of tlje ratepayers. Many shooters have been in Tarata looking for gan'ie. It is quite a eoni' mon sight to see a man, dog, and gun but always an empty bag. '