DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1915, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

■SOUTH TAEANAKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Eltham Road, from Eltham to Kaponga, althougli splendidly kept, really ought to have been rcgraded long ago,'as the steep inclines arc hard on horses and petrol. The Kaponga post office is n'earing completion, but will not be an ornament to the toiwn. The wonder is that it was not built in concrete, the material being bo handy. The toll gates erected by the Eltham County on the Kltham Road constitute very nearly what one would term: 'Highway Ro'bbcry." A constant driver on this road informed your correspondent the other day that he paid 'Ms per week in tool fares, and this man is a conveyer of his Majesty the King's royal mails! Although many young men are going to the war, it is satisfactory to be aide to chronicle that a nursing institution down tiiis way expects about thirty-two lady guests before the end of September. Well done, Waimate 'Plains!

All employee on tlie railway construction that is going on from To Koti to Kapuni, iu tin- course of n conversation, said that at the present late of pro--gress it would take just thirteen years to complete it to Opuiiake and Manaia! There is great rivalry between tome of the co-operative dairy companies for the new sea-on's m.lk supply, and great canvassing for new suppliers goes on between two companies. Pigs are in great demand, and thousands of calf skin- wili lie in the market during the next; three months. There is a good opening for a local company for the making of rennet.

OPUXAKE. I (From Dm- Own Correspondent.) ALLEGED LIBEL. At the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court on Thursday, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M.. a case that had been pending for some time, and created a good dial of interest localic, wu-, liea.nl. The plaintill' was Mrs.'.les-ie Crawley, who sued Miss D.wcry, secretary to 'the Opunake Crofpiet Club, for alleged defamation and libel. The alleged libel was contained in posting up a notice in the club's pavilion that Mrs. Crawley be asked to resign, and also forwarding notice to Mrs. Crawley that she should apologise to the club for making an insinuation, or, failing t.iat, the should be asked to reign. Plaintiff claimed :C3 in aspect of the alleged libel, and £5 for defamation.

Mr. Marshall appeared for Mrs. Crawley, and Mr. Bpeuce for Miss Devery. The origin of the dispute was (lie loss, in January last, of a small amount of money from the Croquet Club's grounds, and an insinuation following. Mr. Marshall argued that posting up Hie notice was publishing it., and that the inference all'etted Mrs. Crawley's character.

Mr. Spenc-e arsuod thai posting np a notice was a, privilege rightly carried out by the secretary, and if was not publication lo the genera] public: also, that it was not libellous, as if, »■», n„( defamatory, and no malice was shown. Kviilencc was Liivon bv Mrs. Crawley, and Mrs. (lark for pla'intill'. and MiDevery for the club. A irroat deal- of lesal an-ument was heard. His Worship reserved his decision on the question of malice. The Court was crowded, ladies beini; very prominent. The solicitors engaged

wisru at. times vaiuiie in tlieiv remarks., at poor Opimake's expense. The two clays' carnival ill aid of our JVoupded Holiiicr-o' fund promises to lie the biggest affair yd held liuro. I'aguautiy, minstrel;:, fancy-dress parade, and a'boxing match, between air. Cooper, of 3S T aw Plymouth, and Mr. Cross, of Opuuakc, are sonic of the many attractions on the programme. A real eviction took pliue pn the .Opnnaikc Road last Tuesday, when a farmer on that road, who was owed 15s for rent, put the strong hands of the law in motion in having a worker's and J - L-j wife and children's belongings •put out on the roadside. / j,ji- e other parts of Taranaki, the dairv factories here show an excellent year's return to suplicrs. The previous best pay-out lifts been by a good many pounds. At the Harbor Board's meeting, the board decided that if Mr. Cabe wa* not prepared to accept tlie license as drawn up by the board that his license be cancelled. Mr. Cabe threatens to dismantle the wharf and leave us without a wharf. The board has been try. ing in various parts of the dominion to have the loan of HoO.OOO' taken up at 5 per cent. Up to the present it has not been successful, and has been advised by the Public Trustee and Mr. McKcQwn, a member of the board, who interviewed financial heads in Wellington some months ago, that there was no chance of getting a loan at a per cent. The board is now faced with the problem of obtaining legal enactment giving them power to raise the money at a higher rate of interest. At present the board is bound by law to a 5 par cent, maximum. Another point is that amy ine-rea.se in the rate will have to be sanctioned by a poll, and the thin margin in favor of borrowing at the last poll taken may dwindle when asked to increase th 6 rate.

Xo fires to report. Constable Clouston is laid up with influenza. Mr. Dudley has got a motor van to deliver his meat rounds with, The council buildings are near completion.

BELL BLOCK. ~\ (From Oav Own Correspondent.) A very successful and enjoyable social was'held in the Bell Block Hall on Tuesday night, when a large and representative gathering assembled to bid farewell to four of the local young men who are leaving in a few clays for the front. The evening's entertainment opened by all rising and singing the National Anthem. Just before the supper adjournment, Mr. John Connett ascended the stage, and addressed the gathering. He said that when the war broke out twelve months ago we knew our opponent, Germany, would prove a formidable adversary, for she had been in training for half a life-time, but that she should be guilty of the horrible atrocities recorded against her no one would have credited. Her thirst for world power had made her absolutely indifferent to national honor, callous, brutal and fiendish to the unfortunate Belgians, and a total disregard for the lives of neutral subjects, which had provoked the enmity of the whole world. When Lord Kitchener was appointed Minister for War, he spoke of preparing for a three years' campaign, this provoking a smile, but many thought it was said to impress the enemy. We are beginning to realise now that Germany is going to put up a tremendous fight, and it looks like taxing the resources of the Allies to the utmost to win through, but if we are to persevere for justice and freedom, ,so dear to every Britisher, it must lie done, and we in Xew Zealand must send our unit like the rest. He was proud that Bell Block was contributing her mite towards it. '' Young men," lie said, " you go to uphold our Empire's honor; you go as representatives of the Dominion of Xew Zealand, and. in addition to that, you go to directly represent ns handful of people of Bell Block. You. our very own representatives, will receive the lion's share of our good wishes, and may you worthily represent us there."

Mr. Connett (hen made the following presentations, wishing the recipients God-speed and a safe return:—Mr. IT. Mcßowe. a safety razor; Mr. S. Bolloii, ca-e of two pipes: Jlcssrs. J. Richards and .1. X. Blyde, each a. wristlet watch.

Mr. IF. Mcßowe suita.hly responded cm behalf nf the recipients. The oiehestm then struck up " For They Am .lolly Good Fellows," after which followed a dainty supper, provided by the Bell Block ladies. Dancing, .aid playing, etc., were continued till the " Wee sma' hoors ayant the twal.''