DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1915, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

CARDIFF. (From Our Own Correspondent.) _ I take this opportunity, and at a fitting time, too, to welcome your paper as a daily item now on with us. It says much for the enterprise and energy of those responsible, and I trust tbe venture may prove a success. It was decided some little time ago at the annual meeting of the Miniature Rifle Club to recognise in tangible form the interest taken in the Club by the School Committee. Last night (Wednesday) a social was held and was a pronounced success. About 100 persons were present, and dancing was kept up till 1 a.m. During the function Mr. J. T. Belcher, president of the Club, had four presentations to make. To Mr. J. Morrison, who is leaving Cardiff, a copper kettle and stand. To Messrs W. Blackstock and Harvey, who shortly join the reinforcements, each a wristlet watch; and to (Private C. Danah, lately returned inva'uli-d from the Dardanelles, a cigarette holder and case. Each recipient suitably responded. Mr. Belc-her, in presenting to the School Committee, on behalf of the Club, a roll of honor, remarked that the names thereon (six in number) were those who nad left Cardiff for the front. Up to the present only one had been killed, Private Irvine Blackstock, in A.pril last. Messrs White, Sounness, and Danah have been wounded. Lieutenant C. Marchant, was on final leave from Trentham. His many friends were glad to see him, and their best wi'liec pn with him wherever he may be. normanby! The Territorials and Cadets intend giving a farewell social to Lieutenant Holmes, who leaves for Trentham early next month. Mr. Holmes saw service in the South African War. The people who are in favor of merging with the County Council are showing eigns of animation, and a petition is again being circulated. The general feeling » against such a retrograde step, and the ratepayers are not likely to welcome a movement that will mean a substantial increase in the rates. In one case the present rate tinder the Town Board rating is lis Bd, and if merging should take place the rating would be increased to £2 16s. A simij lar reduction in rates would take place in the case of several landowners whose forms are within the Town Board district. There is a good deal to be said, however, both for and against merging i with the County. In any case, the [County Council are not likely to agree to take over the township unless the ratepayer agree to raise a loan of £ISOO, and this, of course, would mean an additional rate.

The following boys are leaving for Trentham early next month to join the 9th Reinforcements:—J. Holmes, S. S. Craig, E. Gibson, and E. Hurlem&n. There are still a few shirkers left, however.

Some time ago Miss Statham, inspector of old soldiers' graves, induced the Government to present to the Town Board the handsome Maori carved posts that were used in connection with the Maori pa at the Christchurch Exhibition. It has been ascertained that Miss Statham has expressed a wish that some of the posts should be erected at the Park gates in the centre of the township. The Town Board at its last meeting resolved to erect them on the Maori redoubt, in the cemetery, some two miles from the township. It is rather a pity that Miss Statbam's wishes in the matter were not ascertained before this step was taken.