DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents). MAXCOREI. The moderate and beneficial rainfall during the past few days lias damped the ardor of other goou servants to the anxious pastoralist, the paddock fires, which, everyone around during the preceding fine weather spell had been sweeping t'lie land of rubbish and cleaning up to keep pace with spring-time's jaunty arrival. Egrnont, too, our mountain monaToh, lias dnnned gloomy shrouds after a good tii.r; of disc-losing seminude and airy outlines of grace and beauty, superbly resplendent, half-mant-led in clinging robes of spotless purity. By the way, is there not an intimate relationship between Egmont's rocky throne and our network of roads between it and the sea? From it come the boulders and stones, dispensed through flood in principal waterways, and xvhMh just now may provide food for reflection. Sermons in stones! All the past season,, as now, hundreds of yards of unerushed stones 'hauled from the WaiwakiaAbo have lain lumbered on the roadside at Mangorei depot; whilst within a few chains the public have been wearily wading along half a mile of mud track on the Old Hospital road. Now, through this track is the only direct road from Mangorei to the Waiivakaiho bridge, towards the protection of which the l-iding is to pay a considerable proportion of the cost. Very expensive stone this is to those of us in the Mangorei riding who haven't had any of it and can't get it, and yet who have to help to make up the £3OOO required to have the stone re-gathered again anil a new river-bed formed in Xew Plymouth! Menace to property, public, or private, by injudicious depletion of stone from rivers, is a matter calling for consideration from public bodies concerned. There is something unsound about destroying river frontage; of property to build road frontages. A few evenings ago a specially happy time was passed at a packed house .at Lower Mangorei school. A concert was held in aid of the Belgians. The programme (.Mr. Stanton in the chair) was: —First part: 'Piano solo, Miss tlawke; song, Miss Youngson: recitation, Mr. Stanton, junr.; song, Mr. Pearee; recitation. Miss Xormnn; song, Miss Hannah; recitation, Mr. fioldsxvorthy (with ah encore, much appreciated); song, Mr. Bencyii White. Re.'ond part: Song, Mrs. Pearce: recitation, Mr. Goldsworthy, junr.; song, Mr. Worn: song, Miss Youngson: song, Mr. Benoni White. Whilst the last item was engaging attention, secretive operations resulted in Hie company suddenly realising that I they were in a mock court. liewigged judge (Mr. Worn) and clerk of court (Mr. Xormnn) were seen in serious and solemn conclave: whilst the sedate and learned prosecutor (Mr. Wall) and a brace of helmetted constables (Messrs 1). Wells and Healv) looked impressive, pondering over official dignity and responsibilities. Various quaint and humorous charges were brought against a dozen misdemeanants, all sheeted home, amidst much fun and merriment, especially amongst the ladies, who were, of course, positively unable to provide even the most mild of delinquents! Fines were sportively paid into court, and the concert funds were augmented by over two pounds. After supper dancing began, which, with kindly music from Mrs. Worn, ami M.S.-sliip of Mr. Les. Brown, interspersed with recitations, brought ; an exeeptionri'ly agreeable function N to ' an end.

A few evenings before this, a thoroughly enjoveTl social and dance had taken place at Upper Mangorci school, on the occasion of another local recruit leaving for camp, Charlie, fifth son of Mr. Balsom, one of Mangorei's early settlers (and from what 1 hear, likely to be not the only son to enlist). Friends

contributed songs and entertaining items preparatory to the guest of the evening being railed upon to accept a wristlet watch, with fervent good wishes of the company, aptly expressed by the chairman, Mr. I'earee. Mr. Benoni White also exhorted the many youthful friends of the guest then being'honored to more seriously consider and realise the Empire's position. Requiem solemnities have recently resounded with muffled tones in the district, as also 'have the-strains of nuptial music. Some days of nativity have become established, too, with increased birthrate. To one home sorrow, to another rejoicing. Mr. N. Williamson, whose health lias lately been failing, has sold his farm to Mr. Guscott, of New Plymouth. With respite from cares incidental to extensive agricultural and dairying responsibilities, Mr. Williamson is wished complete restoration to health. TARIKI, A concert and mock court was held on the 3rd inst. in aid of the War Relief Fund. There was a good attendance, and the takings amounted to about £2O. The success of the function was in great measure due to the presence of Mr. H. J.'Hill (chairman of the Wellington Patriotic Committee). Messrs Stephenson and Therkleson (memberts of the local committee) attended the conference of the Taranaki Patriotic Branches held in Stratford on the previous day, and, taking advantage of Mr. Hill's reputation for willingness ■to help in all patriotic efforts, prevailed upon him to visit Tariki. Mr. Hill was introduced by the chairman, and made an eloquent and stirring appeal in aid of the 'War Relief Fund, his speech being frequently and enthusiastically,applauded by the audience. The committee, who quickly recognised that in Mr. Hill they had a 4'2-centimetre gun, determined to make the most of him, and on opening the mock court insisted 011 his occupying the judicial eliair. His impartial and ready method of administering justice delighted the audience, who were convulsed with merriment at his witty remarks and fairly staggered by his marvellous display of mental arithmetic in counting up the fines inflicted. At the rising of tiie court, on the call of the chairman, Mr. Hill was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for his services. Mr. ITill, iu responding, expressed his pleasure at being present. lie recognised that Tariki was a patriotic place, and lie had thoroughly enjoyed liis brief visit. (Applause.) A full account of the mock court proceedings, with the charges and lines, will be published later, SOUTH TARANAKI. Directly the Budget appeared every large anil small retailer in these part's slapped fromlis to 3a per case on benzine and kerosono. Needless to say, the amended act will protect the consumer. Another wooden building is being erected by the State at Kaponga. This is to be the policeman's residence, and a gaol is being put up on the same section of land. This outlay will run into about £I6OO. It is quite needlesa, and seems farcical considering the nation's expendi-1 +ure aver the war. The member for ths

district was stressing the need for economy in Parliament the other day, but evidently there is not much economy being practised by him in adding to our national debt.

The hardship of youths being compelled to attend drill at night was explained to mo the other night. 1 saw several lads going by train from Te Roti to Normanby to driil, and they informed me that they bad to walk home, and be up again aj; daylight. Irrespective of the injustice done to them, encouragement should not be given to lads stopping out so late at night. Some of the bonus payments by factories to their suppliers will run into as much as £4OOO to £SOOO per man. If the lists for charity for war funds were carefully perused, amongst those rich dairymen it would be found that, up to the present, not one of them haß given £IOOO to the cause, or even £SOO, and very rarely a name is found with £IOO opposite it. These same remarks and figures apply to the sheep and bullock fatteners, who all have had a rare harvest this season.

Hotels are still changing hands, the goodwill of two having been sold in Manaia recently. There is far too much unearned increment in this business, and I quite expect at no distant date to see drastic steps taken to deal with this matter.