DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1916, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKETAWA. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) The following pupils of the Durham school have been granted first-class certificates for attendance: Edith Conner, Evelyn Goble, Kathleen and Eileen Conner, Williag George, William Goble, and Archie George. Second-class certificates were awarded to Doris Mehrtens, Katie and Jack Miscliewfski, Ella Dombroski, and David Dodunski. The weather this season caused rather a strenuous time at hay saving, the variableness being very' annoying -in many instances. There'are several paddocks of oats and grass yet to be cut, but the majority of the settlers have, after a tremendous hustle, succeeded in getting their crops under roof. A very large area of turnips of the "soft" variety has been planted this year, and in almost every case good crops are promised, the exceptions being in damp places. On the upper portions of the roads in this district there are large quantities of standing trees (rimu and Tata), containing first-class firewood, and any workers wanting a job can knock out good wages at splitting-. The local factory can do with a couple of hundred cords, but settlers just now are under a handicap and cannot, as in the past, devote time to firewood getting in any quantity. It seems rather anomalous that men should be worrying the Labor Department for work when chances as indicated are going bogging.! The wet weather a while back turned the earthwork of the grading job near the Norfolk Road into a veritable quagmire, and motorists had a nice time of it. The county foreman and his mate on Sunday last (6th) were busy nearly all day assisting, per horse, machines to get through, and their help was greatly appreciated by the drivers. Tho Durham School Committee at its meeting on Monday night decided to cooperate with Ingle'wood in the proposed seaside picnic which is to be held at the East End resort on the '9th March. Given fine weather there should be a record attendance,- and those who live in the "back" are requested to note that tickets obtained beforehand will enable them to travel by the 10 o'clock train to New Plymouth, and return by the 4 o'clock train. Consequently, the excuse on previous occasions of the stay-at-homes cannot this time be made. A tonic for the kiddies and a livener for tho oldsters that beats all. quack concoctions is to bo obtained by one good day at the Shore, so let it be Inglewood's dav!

The depredations of birds amongst the orchards is causing a vast amount of bad language, and it is not to be wondered at. If those fanners who have plantations around their houses would make a systematic egg-grabbing, nest-smashing tour at certain intervals they would notice a remarkable difference. One man swears by tho method, and, points to a nice-looking vegetable garden as the result. The place is "tabooed" by the blackbirds now, whereas before the raid seeds of all descriptions were destroyed. Some fine paddocks of oats are to be seen on Durham Road, Mr. William Buokthought having a remarkably nice-looking-one. The reaper- and binder have made a start, and I understand the whole crop Is ta be "chaffed."

Fanners on Durham Road are anxiously awaiting something being done in regard to the blackberry pest on sections on the upper portion of Norfolk Road, where the. bramble is allowed to run riot. Visitors to the place report that tons of the fruit will be obtainable within a week or so, ant\ »s quail, blackbirds, and miliars are in fairly largo' numbfTa it must be seen that a hiyge- at-ua of land will bo'supplied with seed per the birds. The ceaseless watching necessary to keep one's farm clear of the pest is nervo- ; trying, and it is time such land as mentioned was conflseatid.lyy the State in the interests of the community. Time that could be well spent in' substantial improvements is absolutely wasted in hunting out the seeds or plants that result in letting land get in the state, as mentioned, and fining t,he careless ones is poor compensation to flip roan who have to go over thftj(v acres foot by foot every yp.a,r.. Somebody must w'ake upl . ' ~:.,, "tabikt. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The public is reminded of the Garden Party ami reception to returned troopers to-day (Thursday), on the Tennis Courts. Addresses will be, given b,y Mr. Bine, M.P., Mr. Yfi'tWS H»e Mayor of tngiewood), and others, and given a fine day there should be a successful function. The Patriotic Society have the arrangements well in hand, the ladjes pro. vising bas.Ue.vj, Tho sohool children are having a half-holiday. The opening is arranged for about ..30, so as to suit the milking supporters, and it is hoped that the general public will roll up and give the boys a right royal time.