DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 318, 18 June 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

Mi.TCMAXISV. (From Our Own Correspondent. The funeral <,f the Into Mr. James Hay-ward took plan- this afternoon, and was largely attended, most ~f liio old rcsi.liMits of the district being present. The Town. Hoard was represented by the chairman. .Mr. Til \s Free, anii several of tho members. .Mr. Havward .'■am.' to Xonminby about tliirly'years ago. where he was for many years a contractor. A few years afro'he purchased a portion of the Hirstlands estate, and Was fanning there until illhealth compelled him to retire. .Mr. Wayward leaves a family of six sons and four daughters, to whom much sympathy is expressed in their sad boroavcment. His youngest son, Charlie, was wounded at the Dardanelles, hut is now again in the fighting line. Mr, F. C. Raines, Anglican lay reader, conducted the funeral service at the church, and also at the Waihi Cemetery. Mr. Wayward's wife predeceased him nearly thirty years ago. After leaving Xormanby, Mr. Wayward resided in Xew Plymouth until his death.

DURHAM ROAD. (7'rom Our Own Correspondent.) Winter has set i?: with a vengeance, and we are being '■ reatcd to a regular whirl of seasonable items, such as heavy frosts, hard gales and heavy rain. On Monday it tried its best to give a donation of snow, but it seems it was not to be, and a change of wind has brought warmer but more constant rain. The School Committee held its monthly meeting on Monday evening, all tmem> hers being present. 'Business \fa.s mainly of a routine character. Consideration of the board's annual report elicited the fact tlhat on December 31 there was a surplus of somewhere near .€4OOO, and in connection with the request of the committee for more consideration as to teachers comforts regarding residence it seems rather strange that nothing can be- done bv the board in the matter. The log over the Maketawa bridge had been fitted with wire and batten side guards, and a prop to strengthen it has ibeen placed in the centre, so a deal of anxiety by parents of children attending from Upper Norfolk Road should be allayed Residents of the school district are to be asked to give some assistance in preparing ground for the proposed school gardens, and Arbor Day was the time fixed. T am sure parents will, in the future, look upon this matter as one of the best investments possible for the children's welfare, and as the teacher is much interested in the agricultural development something beneficial must result; at all events, there is nothing like giving the young fry a chance, and also some encouragement, and that is a parent's duty:

Mr. T. Rickard and family, who have Iwoii spending a fortnight's holiday with frh-nds in the Hamilton district, returned home on Saturday evening last. On Friday evening, .Time 11, a very enjoyaihle evening was spent in the school, when a euchre party, terminating with a dance, "was hold. The proceeds of the affairs, -which amounted to £1 3s (id, go towards the Hospital Ship Fund.

The road foreman, with assistants, is busily, engaged on repairs in Durham Road, and the heaps of hroken metal are fast disappearing from the sides of the road. I understand the road-roller is to he put on the road when all the metal is down, and residents will, I hope,.recognise the benefits of machinery in road making, and, incidentally, see the necessity of forming the new county, for iby doing so up-to-date machinery can he obtained for road work.

A few of the settlers on -tlie upper ipart of the road are supplying tlie main factory since Mie creamery closed; one or two are separating and several have dried their cows off, .which latter method is to ibo adopted by some of the former at the end of the month. I venture to sav that, had the creamery Jieen running, a large quantity of milk would have heen sappliod. as the paddocks of soft turnips (which it is said do not taint milk) would have been devoted to that 'purpose. The delivery of the 'News at present is giving much satisfaction, residents at the top end of the road being enabled to get their morning paper at a reasonable time, and as it is our connecting link with the outside it, is easily understood that in every case its appearance is eagerly awaited. The send-off to' Mr. ?,. Marshall, who has enlisted for the front, which took lilace recently in the Xorfolk Road School, was a great success. I regret that circumstances prevented my attendance to swell the number to wish the young chap all the luck possibe. When one tots un the num'ber of young men in this and the immediate surrounding districts, it is found there arc many who for some reason are very dilatory in accepting the call, so that Mr. Marshall's example becomes all the more prominent. There are young vigorous men of splendid physique, men who would 'be able to earn distinction in the eyes of Hit world for all time if they would but try, but it seems as yet they cannot wognis' their dntv: some, I understand, have, in reply to queries, vented

the expression that " they are not going till thev are forced to!" -Tust fancy that, tlu.se" of you who 'have brothers,

sons and sweethearts, who are sacrificing their health, perhaps their lives, in protecting our country from coming under the heel of flermnn "kultur." 1 venture to 'predict that M>o future will heap coals of fire in the shape of sarcasm and its attendant disadvantages on the heads of those who are only too willing to ibenefit by the sufferings of others. Young men, buck up and show you have something of the spirit of vour forebears tho*c who braved the unknown, wild countries to help make them livable parts of the universe: bui'k up, T sav. to prevent their sacrifice and tlie saci-ifiee of your fellows who have gone already from becoming in vain—men are wanted, you are fit and capable, get to it and do not, for the honor and credit of your generation, hang to the idea "that you're not going till you're forced!"

r.Aiioiu.

Mrs. ,T. Tl. Groom gave an evening at her home, "Pomona," to bid farewell to her brother. Mr. .1 ]mrli While, us well as U> Messrs 'P. Column and IV. Wright, who arc soon leaving for Trentham, <ongs. niusii-a] items, cards and dancing were indulged in. Al2 o'clock a very i.'iih!) appreciated was provided by the hostess. The company then «"g "for they are jolly g 1 fellows" Slid "Auhl I .an;; Syne," when waltzing was again resumed, with the singing of "It's a. Ion;; way to Tipperaiy" by the whole party. Altogether it was a very pleasant evening.

A good number of ladies met at the hall on Tuesday to discuss ways and means of providing for the wounded sol-

diers. Tt was decided to have an afternoon lea at Mrs. W. I!. Wright's next Wednesday. 2.lrd inst., also to purchase materia] for clothing, wliic.li will be cut out and sewn by anyone able to do so. Something like .CIS was promised in the room. The news of the death of Mr. W. D. Looncy ("Dan"), who fell at the front, was received here with regret. He was very well known in this district, having been in the employ of Mr. F, Ward for some considerable time. He was the first from this district to volunteer.

.Mr. Back is making good progress with the setting in of the new boiler at the factory.

The pay-out for May milk was £453, Mr. W.R. Wright is" visiting the Canterbnrv district.

The Wesleyan parsonage is to be removed, Mr. F. Ward having the contract.