DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1915, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKETAWA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A farewell social to Mr. Dave Langley, who,has unlisted, will be held in the Norfolk Road school on Friday evening next, and it is hoped there will be a good attendance. Funds derived are to be devoted to wounded soldiers, and as the ladies are asked to provide refreshments it goes without saying that patrons will {jet full enjoyment. Those who have not already tried the Norfolk floor for dancing and the other good things usually provided are requested to roll up and give a good cause full support. As they cannot themselves, perhaps, tako up one side of the duty they can show encouragement to those who have.

The weather (so many use terrible, adjectives over it) has for nearly two months been very trying to both man and cattle alike. First of all we have a period of warm, foggy rains, which, though conducive to good graßs growth, prevented sowing of crops, and in fact all outside work. A fine day in between simply made tilings aggravating. Now we have had a'considerable spell of very boisterous weather from the west, the wind at times bping exceptionally severe; in several instances chimneys have been blown down and small outbuildings toppled over. The ground has received such a soaking that the growth of grass is getting a severe check, while paddocks of early sown pasture grass can he said to be a complete failure. The wonder is that the cows are doing so well as they are, as some of the squalls are bitterly cold, so much so that there is no wonderment at the question as to where we are—winter or something else.

The all-absorbing topic now is "Who ought to go?" On all aides one hears expressions of 'Tin ready at any time after the single chaps line up!" The correspondence in your columns is well read and causes much comment, and I am inclined to think the excuses many suitable recruits offer for not "lining up" will, in the days to come, not offer a suitable ahield for the ridicule, etc., that is bound to come their way. However, I suppose it is just how a man's system is built—some feel the call deeper than, others, but it will come some time, and then perhaps—"nuff sed!" The decision of the Moa Road Board to at once obtain road machinery is another matter that causes a deal of comment, and, so far, I have not met any who are otherwise than pleased, f have been informed, though, that a few in this district scoff at the efforts of the Board under the argument that there's no one in the Board capable of looking after roads, as they have had no experience," and I would like to remind such critics that it would be as well for them to recognise the fact that those who they think have had experience learned at the expense of the public, and also that credit is given in too many instances to elected members at the expense of the clerk or engineer who find the brains as a rule. WJien war broke out the farmers of the Dominion were enjoined to go on producing as usual, to send as much trade as ever they could to England, and all sorts of reasons were given as to why. Now, batbed wire and corrugated iron and such like goods are requisites fanners need nowadays (not to mention slag), but the prices to which such have advanced makes the would-be purchaser think twice or more before laying out cash. We are told by local dealers in such that the goods are almost unobtainable even at the big figures, that all the English wire is wanted, and so on, yet I notice an Auckland firm can f supply all orders from the Bluff to the North Cape. How is it? We are told also that shipping charges and insurance rates have gone up in regard to our butter (outwards) and our goods (inwards), so can anyone be surprised at the question: "I thought the British Navy had the sea safe, so why the extra chargeß on the producer, who is doing all he knows how to inctease projduction?" Is the Navy's protection only to mean bigger "divvys" to shipping companies or insurance shareholders at the expense of the general public? It's time some people woke up! It's all very well asking that this or that be done iin the name of patriotism, but if the 1 advantages are to be reaped by the few at the sacrifice of the many, the latter will, I am thinking, want to know why later on.

Mr. . Arch. Johnston, the Durham creamery manager, who some timo back received a severe blow on the leg while cutting wood, is still on the sick list. His place is being filled by Mr. Thrush from the main factory.