DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

DURHAM ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Having been out of the district for a week or *o, and as a consequence no notes from this way being forthcoming, 1 hope the attached news items will be of interest to the many who have been enquiring as to "What has happened" to your correspondent.

The weather for this time of the year has been of an exceptional order, being mild in every respect except rain, of which we have had rather more than a decent share. Taking il right through, dairy cattle are apparently ill the best of "nick," and provided tilings keep as they are should repay the favorable conditions by increased yields; we hope so at all events.

The very heavy rainfall. during last week put the rivers up to an extraordinary extent, and the large quantity of wood on the shift will. I make no doubt, prove very acceptable to those living near the beach. The log bridge over the river Maketawa, by which the children of the Upper Xorfolk Road attended"the Durham School, was swept away, and as a consequence the children have to wade across; this means intermittent attendance during rough weather, and cannot be conducive to good results from either the children or the teachers. I understand a prospecting party is out next week t( locate another stringer, and interested people on Xorfolk Road wou'i-l be glad to give assistance. This help, 1 know, would prove very acceptable.

Our road has lately received close attention from fhe road foreman and a gang of assistants, a large quantity of metal having been used in repairs. The steam roller is at present on the job, and good results are expected.

I am informed that several farmers are having trouble in the shape of dairy cattle "slipping," and I fancy it would be well for such people to obtain the services of the department's expert to. if possible, locate the trouble, for an epidemic of that description can cause untold loss to a fanner, and unless great care is exorcised can become a yearly happening! Notwithstanding the exceptional downpour day atter day we succeeded, thanks to the Xews runner, in obtaining the paper daily, and, on behalf of those on the top portion of the road, I desire to thank the young lady for such attention in the face of severe conditions. Tin-non-appearance of the News now is regarded as a calamity by all.

The shareholders of the Maketawa Dairy Company will hold their annual meeting at the factory mi Thursday, August 12. I notice that ail extract from tlic balance-sheet to be presented lias already appeared ill the .Vows. A social entertainment, at which presentations are to he made, is being urlanged to be held in the Dnrliam School as a send-otl to Messrs Arthur Bridgeman and AVi 11 Salisbury, who are awaiting orders to proceed to camp preparatory to going to tlie front. By all accounts, the function should prove a hugi l success, and it is Imped weaiiier conditions will in no way mar the proceedings. At a meeting of the creamery suppliers held -in the Durham School oil Thursday evening last the question of reopening the creamery was thrashed out. Ultimately it was decided to forward a communication to the chairman of directors to favorably consider the advisability of re-opening within a week | if possible. | Considerable attention has of late been given by the press of the dominion to ! the subject, of tree planting, and T noti-'O, ! Mr. Kd'itor. that your columns have been used to try and wake the public up to the importance of the matter. Something extraordinary will have to happen to alter a large mini xt of landowners from their present view of "living only for their own time." That people owe something to the future will not lie recognised, and why simply "biats" ne'. Xow, I would like to mention an instance that to many would seem iin'rodible, ai d also perhaps give those wiio are interested in tree planting something to think about in regard to many what are called paper roads. County councils, road boards, etc., have in their pirisdi'l- - lion many such roads, which may become I public thoroughfares during the next I'M I years. They can be neither sold nor I leased, and would prove admirable places for growing timber that in the )ut\ire would go a long way towards [laying the cost of metalling if needed, and at the period of growing would be of service, to the present community in providing shelter, etc. Due sittler in this district

adjacent to sucli a road planted some ago a double row of tree* with tlie full approval of the then neighbor, and at the present time the trees are from 1(1 to 12 feet 'high and a tone fit to both settlers for slielter purpoi-c«. Settl'T No. •> disposes of l.is property, and tlio buyer, bivauso tlie trees "obstruct his view of the road, chops the trees do\ s n, and the Moa Jload Board, as controlling bodv. simply can't help but look on! How's that, Mr. Kditor, for encouraging tree planting from a national standpoint? One would fancy that if a man were so lonely that he was continually watching Die' road other means would be adopted to counter-balance this loneliness.

At a meeting of residents of Durban Road held on Thursday evening several matters of interest were brought forward for discussion, the one relating to installing a telephone service causi-u much interest. It was pointed out lira many country roads were served admirably with a postal >crviee. and that in that respect Durham Road, "though si was yet "too far," and it iloes seen! strange that we, as a community, are shut oil' from the world outside in the -manner in which we are. However. 1 am glad to report that an effort is io lie made to get Mime alteration, and two gentlemen were deputid to interview 'the Postmaster ancnl the matter. 1 'hope on a future occasion to r< port a move loruard.

WAT; h A. 1 i-'i mil <>iii' I I'A ii <uiT' - ;:<i. I■i'■ii t. i \ ei'i-hri- party ami dutn-e in aid ni tin' new ipiano fund was held ml I' ri-il-av nijiht. Then- was a lar«.- atu-ii-ilnin i'. 'l'lic cuchtv pri/.es with u«ii li.V Ti'iisy Murphy and Mr. 11. Hpie: tin 1 latter aftci' a tic vita •i-vni oth.-iv-. Till' jii'Xt soi-ial will In' iii lil nu Wi'iliii'.sday. Aiimi-t- 11. hy wni,-h tiim- it ihi.'pi'd tin- iu".v iiirnni will in' iii-tdlinl. 11 i-*ll1I]ii'il tin' ]nihlii' rt tin- i!i>t' i -t i\ ill *-11 p port tin- Mall ( 'uiuThiU'v hy uatro-ni-iiiL' tin- i-n--hi'i l parties. as tie |i.«mi i- ,-i-i I ainiv iniii-ii 11' 11 '■ i'''l. 'hi- n..l piano ,v Im- ill11:i- duty for tin- p:i>t I:iirIrrii years in thi- iiaii. a'.nl , |( r.i-r in dial in till' s.'hniil) certainly <i'"--' i'-m T -■M ile,l l i-t ii-llli'llt.