DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1916, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

aiAKETAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent). At the annual meetingof householders for the election of the school committee at the Durham school on Monday, the chairman made a statement showing the state of the finances and also gave a short review of the year's work. As there were eight nominations and only five members wanted, a ballot was taken and resulted as follows:—Messrs J. B, Simpson (chairman and secretary), Joe Corney, junr., G. Mehrters, C. Goble and A. Dodunski. Just a little foretaste of winter happened our way on Monday last, when a light but cold south-easter came up, accompanied by a drizzly rain. The heavy downpour of the Saturday previous, combined with the later visitation, was too much for the dairy cattle, and a consequent shrinkage in milk quantity is reported all round. .The discussion re feeding milking cows on turnips which took place at a recent meeting of the Moa Dairy Co., which appeared in the News, i s causing a good deal of comment, and notwithstanding the straight-out statement by the Moa manager, which showed that mill- suppliers only lose in the long run by feeding turnips, there are many who still hold the opinion that such practice does not do the harm claimed. Of course, nverrone knows his method is •'just tire thing," and so long as it gets past the man on the lift it must be all right, and the other chap's method is to blame, The varied attempts to excuse turnip feeding, notwithstanding expert opinion, will result only one way, and that will be in condemning New Zealand butter to outside consumers. Then, with lowered prices, and then only, will the turnip feeder recognise his folly. The cheque of to-day, never mind that of tomorrow, is the sole consideration. The. house-to-house canvass of the recruiting scheme, to which the Taranaki County Council Is applying funds, is causing a great deal of discontent, ami, the opinion is freely given that the Government have done more harm to voluntary recruiting by adopting the method than they imagine. Very angry men can be found in any part of the Moa district. Some blame the head authorities, some the Council, and some the "recruiter," but in every ease the query is made, "Why don't they initiate straightout conscription and have done with it?" Tiie eligible men with property want to know if the State will safeguard his interests while he risks his health, his limbs or his life in protecting tho other fellow's property. It seems a knotty problem for our politicians, but the satisfactory solution will mean considerable addition of "bosker material" to the r.niks. Other men (in the Waitui district, which has sent every eligible man in it) want "to know if it is fair that young men, eligible in every way, can come from other districts and take positions vacated by their sons. The "patriotism" oj men who would employ such birds of passage is of a very low oi-de?-, but it show s the need of some drastic application, and on all sides "conscription, straight out," is unanimously agreed with. Artilleryman .T. Sheppard. an employee of Mr. W. Buckthought. of Durham road, and who was invalided home through injury to his eyesight, has received his discharge from the. ranks, and will, I hear, resume hi s old occupation. Mr. Sheppard took part in the strenuous times on Gallipoli. and hails from Sussex. England, hut which he says cannot "hold a candle' 1 to good old New Zealand. LINCOLN ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent). The school was crowded to its utmost at the annual concert and dance on Friday evening, April 14. Owing to the bad weather, the children's picnic could not be held. An excellent programme was presented, including performers from Inglewood, Richmond Road and Hawcra. Every item was distinctly good anil greatly appreciated by an enthusiastic audience. Mr. G. Kenwood, who presided, at the conclusion expressed thanks to all those who had contributed to make the concert so successful. Special praise is due to Mesdames Iloby and Barnett and Miss M. Stott (the school teacher). After the distribution of nrize books to the school children, the floor was cleared for the dance. The proceeds of the concert are to be handed over to the Red Cross fund in Inglewood.

The annual meeting of householders was' held on Monday evening last in the school, and was very poorly attended. The report and balance sheet was duly presented and showed a satisfactory state of affairs. The following eonim ittee were elected:—Messrs. G. E. Henwood (chairman), A. .T. Taylor (secretary), J. Henwood, Alfred Miles and Mrs. G, Henwood. A vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing committee, cspocially to. Messrs. Wilson and Hopson after seven years' duty to their school from Bristol Road.