DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

- (From Our Own Correspondents). MXRMAXBY. Messrs Stewart and. Landsperg, the well-known Normanby poultry breeders, were Again prize-takers at the Hawera Winter Show. In poultry, this firm secured 25 first prizes, Hi seconds and one special for Indian Runner ducks. They also secured the handsome silver cup for points prize, having won this two yeary ill succession, and it now becomes their property. This firm,lias recently commenced the breeding of dogs, and ih the cocker spaniel class they secured ten firsts, one second and a special. Bliss Coxhead and Mrs. G. Hadlcr were successful competitors in the cookery classes at the Hawera (Slum - . A motor passenger service between Normany and Uawera has started. The weather was not too good for the Winter Show, nevertheless most of the townsfolk visited Hawera. The main road through the township is in a deplorable condition, and loud and long are the complaints of motorists who have to travel on this road. The Town Board, however, are hardly to blame for its condition, for a tender for tile supply of 3-30 yards of metal was let some two months ago, and the successful tenderer failed to fulfil the contract, necessitating the calling of fresh tenders in the middle of the winter. This work will now be put in hand at once. The Xormanby school closed on Thursday for the winter holidays. KAPONGA. The monthly meeting and tea of St. John's Brotherhood was held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Sunday, the '27 th ult., about twenty members being present, the small attendance, no doubt, being due. to the boisterous weather. The subject set down for debate was, "Is conscription necessary in Britain?" Mr. R. G. Cook took the aflirmativc and Mr. Penfold the negative, and both speakers are to be complimented on the very able manner in which they handled the subject. Other members spoke on the question. At the next meeting the subject for debate will be, "What moral arid spiritual effect will the war have on the nations?'' Mr. Betts and Mr. Harding will open the debate. The quarterly meeting of the Loyal Kaponga Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0JF., was held in the lodge room on Vonday, 28th ult., P.O. Bro. Betts presiding over a large attendance. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term:—G.M., Bro. Betts; X.G., Bro. Bertie; V.G., Bro. Arnold; E.S. to X.G., Bro. Walker; L,S. to N.G., Bro. Sheerin; R.S. to V.G., Bro. Shaw; L.S. to V.G., Bro. Harris; E.S., Bro. Dagg. 'Keceiipts for the evening were £l7 12s Bd. Letters were received from Mr. Moller and Mr. Blackstock, in reply to the Lodge's letters of sympathy. The former had a son wounded at the front, and the latter had a son killed in action, both of whom were members of the order.

I regret to have to record that a very severe accident happened to Mr. T. Abbott on Wednesday last. He was ongaged in stumping on his farm, and in using some explosives he was unfortunate in striking a cap and charge whicfir lie was about to use, causing it to explode, with the result that part of one hand was blown off, and he also received very serious injury to iiis eyes.] On pnquiry, I found triable had to have tliree fingers amputated, and will also lose the sight of the left eye, the other eye being also affected, but to what extent is at present hard to tell. At present he is doing aa well as can be expected, and we trust he will soon be about again.

The proposed display in aid of flic wounded soldiers is to tic held on Thursday next, when a big gathering is expected. It is to take the form of a gala day in the Park. Fancy dress football and hockey matches will take place and also a mock trial, and other side shows. In the evening the illuminated procession will take place, after which a hard-times social will he held in the Town Hall. Given a fine afternoon and evening the committee expect to clear a'boufc £2OO, so it behoves everybody to attend and do their bit towards so worthy a cause. KORU. We have experienced very wet and cold weather lately, but evidently we are no worse o(T than are other places. There have been a few changes here. Mr. Edgar Meredith has sold his farm on the Plymouth road and has bought out Mr. St. George, of the Oakura Hotel. Mr. Walford has sold his farm to Mr. J. Pentecost, who lately sold his farm at Sentry Hill. Mr. Pentecost was for many years in the backMoeks of Uruti. iMr. P. Kaill is hack among us again after a trip to the Palmerston Show. Mr. J. MbAuley is away on holiday, visiting his relatives in Oamaru, Our factory is closed for a few months, and our popular manager (Mr. J. Englefield) is away on his winter's vacation. Although we have had so much rain our roads are in good order, and the new metal recently put down by Messrs ■Meredith and Cray has settled down nicely now, and is proving a great benefit to settlers further up the road. Koru-ites still hold their heads high and look iproud when Belgium relief socials are mentioned. They might well be proud of themselves. However, it is to be hoped that we have not all shot our 'holts, as there are our returned wounded to be thought of now.