DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1917, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

IROfBSON ROAD. A VALEDICTORY SOCIAL. (From Our Own Correspondent 1. At this season of the year it is no uncommon thing for farms to change hands, and this year the Bird and Robson Roads are specially hard hit, as they are losing some of their very oldest settlers. Mr. Bowling has gone to Lovin, where he has bought a farm, but before he left his friends and neighbors considered it a good opportunity to show their appreciation of Mr. and Mrs. Bowling, and a social evening was arranged for last Thursday, when a company of over forty met at the house of Mr. P.laekstoek, and a most enjoyable evening was spent in euchre, «ong= and speeches, A splendid supper was provided by the ladies, to which ample justice was done. During the evening Mr. Pattison (Bird road) after stating they had met tocether to bid farewell to !Mr. and Mrs. Bowling and family, spoke of their long sojourn in the district, of Mr. Bowling's work and worth as their representative on the board of directors of the Stratford Dairy Company, as a real good friend and neighbor, and one who would be missed in the district. In the name of the settlers, he asked Mr. Bowling to accept a very fine walking stick, and to Mrs. Bowling he presented a silver cake basket, and an afternoon tea sugar basin and cream jug with a silver stand. Mr. Harris, sen., of Gordon road, to whom the success of the evening 'was greatly due, also spoke very highly of both Mr. and Mrs. Bowling, and Mr. Bowling feelingly thanked all for their kindness to himself and his wife and family. The songs, especially Mr. Harris, senr.'s, recitations and stories, and sometimes cheese versus butter, kept things moving so merrily that about 3 a.m."the ladies thought a second supper would not be amiss, and as there was ample for all, it was passed round and enjoyed. Then "Auld Lang Syne" was sung and each wended their nvay to their separate homes, well pleased v/itTi their evening out. Before parting a very hearty vote of tlianks was passed to Mr. and' Mrs. Blackstock for the use of their house, and for having done everything possible to make all feci at home.

CARDIFF. (From Our Own Correspondent). The Second Division League meeting at Cardiff was not very well attended owiii2 to stormy conditions. However, a branch was formed and mainly wing to the activity of Mr. Belton, the secretly, quite a large membership has been enrolled. A very successful clearing saje was held to-day at Mr. prebble's. Good prices were received for the dairy cows, ami the majority of the other stock. It is to be hoped that Mr. W. Brown will bo as successful next Thursday, the 19th inst. The Prebble family have proved themselves an asset to the district owing to their musical abilities and their departure for Canterbury will be generally regretted. Last Thursday Mr. 11. Johnston, agricultural instructor, gave a practical demonstrtion on Mr. Rogers' farm to quite a large number of local farmers. The Cardiff school examination will be held next Friday by the Board's inspectors. . Several more Cardiff boys' names were drawn in the last ballot, and if the First Division is depleted elsewhere to the same extent it will not be long before the Second Division is called upon. The CardifT factory is at present •undergoing repairs in order to be vca,dy for the ensuing milking season. MOKAU. HARBOR BOARD. (Rrom Our Own Correspondent) . The ordinary monthly meeting of the above took place on July 14. Present: Messrs S. Whitehead (chairman), G. Lake, H. Maine, J. Terrill, A.'G| Sampson. Correspondence was read and received as under: — 'From Marine Department with request and receipt for copies of the Board's accounts for the past year. From the Collector of Customs, New Plymouth, forwarding certificate of appointment of J. L. Mao Donald to the position of coastwaiter of customs at Mokau.

From Captain Conway, late signalman at Mokau, thanking the Board for appreciation of his services. From treasury enclosing subsidy towards signalman's salary. The secretary was directed to write to the Waitara Harbor Board on matters pertaining to the snagging of the Mokau river. He was also directed to write to Mr. Loughman, solicitor, of Palmerston North, as to the advisability of taking immediate steps for a poll of ratepayers on the question of raising a loan for the express purpose of reopening the Mokau River to regular steamer trallic. The necessary amount has already been provisionally promised by the Government. It needs therefore only the sanction of the ratepayers to make the loan available. Owing to the difficulty of checking goods at the wharf it was resolved: "That no goods be delivered while boat is loading or unlading." It was decided that Mr. Sampson examine the approach to the wharf shed and report at next meeting. On the motion of Mr. S. Whitehead, seconded by Mr Maine, it was resolved that the signalman be paid three months' salary to June 30 and that thereafter the payment be made monthly." Authority was given for the payment to J. B. Carr of one week's holiday allowance for the year 191 C." Mr. D .Black was granted leave of absence. Accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting closed at 10 p.m.