DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1916, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

DURHAM ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondents). The mild weather experienced up to tlie "2nd hist, caused farmers generally to adopt the idea that their luck was ill, and many were congratulating themselves on the fact that cowjj were coming to profit under exceptionally'.favorable, weather conditions. The sudden adv:.'iit of the blizzard on the 2nd caused a .'.el-back that will take a long time to reoovei from, though at present improvement is slowly being shown. The heavy gale played havoc, with shelter trees on almost every farm, branches being .whirled oil' by the hundred, and in many instances dozens are off close to the ground. The trying conditions affected the milk supply, though several farmers kept their cattle under roof all the time. The fall oi snow was the lieavi ''"• about 17 years, and the whole i .ryside presented a desolate appearance. The following day presented a panorama not often seen in Taranaki, the fields being covered with enow and the trees, buildings, etc, laden with snow, with occasional bursts of sunshine made at times a pretty picture. The value 5f plantations for shelter purposes was never proved so much as during the storms, which, happily, are few and far between. A large muster of residents and visitors from other roads attended at Durham School on the evening of Friday, ./vine 28, the occasion being a farewell ■ social to Mi»r F, I. Mayer, headmistress of the school,, who, after three years and four months' service, has found it necessary to resign the position to proceed to Hastings, in order to be in close touch with her parents, her father being in a precarious state of health. Miss Mayer received an illuminated testimonial at the hands of the chairman of the School Committee, feigned by members of the committee and all the, householders, who expressed thereby their appreciation of the lady's work with the children, and also her efforts in promoting social matters for the benefit of the community generally. Miss Mayer suitably replied, and stated that her efforts had been ably seconded by the committee, who had helped to make her sojourn on Durham road a pleasure she would not forget. Miss McCarthy is at present temporary headmistress of Durham School. Some time ago the Durham residents agitated for improved postal facilities, and a petition to the authorities, after the usual red-tape formalities, has resulted in the inauguration of a post office at the Maketawa factory, under the name of "Te Tawa," it being decided by the Department that the namo "Maketawa" not being a Maori name, and just a little too "Scotehy," was unsuitable. It seems strange tiiat the river Maketawa (from which the factory district takes its name), so designated by the Maoris, should now be legarded as not being of Maori origin, and many settlers interested would be glad to hear from some Maori linguist some particulars of the meaning of the word. The settlers on Durham road attending the creamery': \-■ offered the convenience of a post office at the creamery which will bear the name of ''Piakau," that being the name of a river adjacent, but I understand a kind of hitch has arisen through it being necessary to shorten the time of closing the creamery by over half-an-hour. It is hoped the settlers interested will quickly endeavor to arrange a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. Messrs McF.wen Bros, are installing a milking machine. Mr. T. R. Wheeler is proceeding with the erection of an up-to-date cowshed Mr. T. Richard has left Durham road for the llawcra district, and his farm has been taken over by Mr. A. Davidson, who is utilising same for grazing purposes. The amount of land that has gone out of milk supplying in the Maketawa district this year will have a deleterious effect on the output of the factory during the, soming season, and a continuation of the process' will cause the remaining ''milkers" to reconsider the advisability of amalgamating with one or the other of the big companies on either side, Moa or Midhirst. From what 1 can gather there seems to be a revival of the opinion that it is about the best thing to do, but I'm rather inclined to . the opinion that a "go slow" method is !best just at present. J The annual meeting of the Makctaw;-. Dairy Co. takes place on Thursday. The quantity of butter made last season amounted to 142 ton s Scwt. Iqr. 171b; milk received. G.47l,fl;>!)lhs; cream received, 14,5781b5;. bvttcr-fat, 271,Glulbs; butter made, ;SK),O2Hbs;. butter to lib butter-fat. 1.172; average test for milk, -1.09; for cream, 4/J.7; over-run. 17.4 per cent.; advances paid equal 13.2U1 per lb of butter-fat; total payments, including bonus, factory suppliers l.">.S7d, creamery suppliers 15.71 d, average lj.Sd. The balance-sheet shows that the company has contributed £l3O 0s Sd to the patriotic fund.

The first meetii (lie Loyal Temperance Legion was held on Saturday at Mrs. Rowe's residence, which was kindly lent for the occasion. Mrs. Duxfiold, L.T.L. organiser, occupied the chair, and explained the aims, objects and method of working the Legion. Fifteen members' names were placed o:; the Roll, including several adults as honorary members. The election of (r/licers resulted as follows:—President, Muster Charles Handley; vice-presidents, Master Peter Pope and Miss Jessie Smith; secretary, Master Lorris Sowi'V; treasurer. Miss Kathleen (Jilliver; pianist, Miss Ruby Hunter; .'iolinist, Miss Zaidee Sowry; librarian, Mtes Emily Waite. During the meeting a chorus, entitled "We'll Never, Nevei Touch the Wine." was taught, after which the following items were rendered:—Pianoforte solos, Miss Beryl Sowry and .Miss Jessie Smith j vocal solo, Miss Emily Waite. After the singing of the National Anthem the meeting was closed with the Benediction.