DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1916, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent). MAKETAWA. Messrs Arthur Bridgeman and Mr. Salisbury, two Durham road lads, who have been on Christinas leave from Trentham, and who have been visiting their numerous friends in the district, have returned to camp. Both young men give evidence of the beneficial training undertaken and will give a good account of themselves. At Mr. Sergei's last lecture to farmers in the Durham School some mention was made regarding red-wa.tcr in cows. The lecturer stated that he had a recipe which had given great satisfaction and could be recommended to give relief if used without delay. The mixture is as follows:—lfioz Epsom salts, 1' quart luke-warm water, lib common table salt, loz ground ginger, Vidoz. raw eggs (beaten); repeat after 24 hours if cow is not well. Those interested would do well to clip this out and keep handy per medium of scrap book.

The weather continues very favorable for- milk production, though a recent fall of snow on Mt. Egmont, which is rather phenomenal for December, caused one ro two cold nights, which affected the cattle and a consequent temporary shrinkage in the supply. Farmers generally complain of a very irregular milk supply, and various suggestion's are given as to the cause.

Several farmers have received the prospectus of the proposed Fertiliser Company which is being inaugurated by wellknown farmers in the Auckland district, but so far the proposal is looked on in a very luke-wavm manner. As the concern is intended to be purely a farmer's venture, and should have an important bearing on the price of manure, it should arouse more interest than is at present evident. Considering that the Italian farmers produce under co-operation annually 150.000 tons of superphosphate, and thereby reap enormous benefit, it makes one think that New Zealand farmers are slow to recognise what combinations can do. There is a great need for immediste and earnest propaganda towards dissolving antiquated ideas whereby a new era can lie introduced. If Farmers' Unions would take such a subject in hand instead of wasting time over petty political matters, as they do, some lasting results would ensue.

The benefit to be derived, especially by farmers, from collecting from newspapers paragraphs of interest and saving them in a scrap-book can only be appreciated by those doing it, and I would earnestly recommend those who have not taken np the practice to make, a start, feeling sure they would be amply repaid for the time spent. Having for over 30 years followed the practice, I speak with certainty as to the benefits to be received, and those who have, at my suggestion, followed •on value their collections.

The milk supply to the Durham creamery is assuming large and satistory dimensions, there being as many as eight can 3 in two carts, several others with six, and the 'est of the 17 suppliers contribute no small quantity. The test card shows five at 3.7, four at 3.8, one at 3.9, two at 4.0, two 4.1, one 4.2, one 4.4, and one 4.0. With the clearing of ground in the newest settled part being proceeded with steadily, we can look forward to a large increase in the milk supply in the near future, and suppliers at the main factory will have to get a move on.

KAPONGA. Visitors to Dawson's Falls (Mountain House) on Sunday next will be well catered for as a special inauguration day is being arranged by the Egmont Mountain Club. His Excellency the Governor, who is patron of the club, has been invited to be present. Many visitors will be. present,, including Professor Cockayne, and Mr. S. Turner, F.R.O.S. Botanical, climbing, and exploration parties are being organised. The Kaponga Brass Band will also be in attendance, and will play selections during the day. The holidays passed off here very quietly, nothing of interest occurring. A large number of families have gone to Opunake beach, camping. The weather for the holidays was anything but summery, high winds and cold showers being llie order. -■Mr. R. Law has received a cable from his son "Bert,'' conveying Christinas greetings, and Mr. Law has also ve-. ceived a letter from Cairo in which "Bert" intimated that he had nm across several Kaponga boys, among whom were H. Faull and J. Gardener. It is understood that Private Foull has been promoted to the machine-gun section, and that he has secured one stripe.