DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1917, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

OMATA (From Our Own Correspondent.) Farewell socials are ever recurrins events in our little community. On the Ist inst. Pvt. T. Walsh, a well known farmer of the Hurford Rd. was entertained at the Omata hall. There was a large gathering of neighbors and friend" to wish him good luck and a sa f o returr. On behalf of the Patriotic Committee. Mr. A. Smith presented the departing soldier with a watch, and expressed the hope that he would return and again make his home in our midst. On the 13th Pvt. F. Clemow of Omat.-t was suitably entertained, and was also presented with a watch accompanied by lots of good wishes for his' safe return. Considering the number of Omata lads who are at the front the serioin casualties sustained by them are remarkably few. May it ever be so. On a recent spring morn, not a Saturday, "your own" noticed an unusual number of vehicles containimr farmers and their women folk in holiday attire, .heading townwards. On making inquiries he learned the rendezvous wai the V.'hiteley Church, and the occasion a wedding, the contracting parties being Mr. W. Thompson and Miss O Loveridge, both of Hurford road. Not having been present and not being versed in wedding phraseology I cannot give particulars of this interesting event, but I can vouch for the sincere goodwill of a large circle of friends who wish them every happiness in the future.

The milking season is now fairly upon us. Almost every farmer in tliis district is facing the season shorthanded and a strenuous time is before them. To get in the necessary crops and haivest them in due season is a problem that has yet to be solved. Already we hear of farmers reducing their herds and buying a few young stock, so reducing the amount of'laboi necessary to carry on. It is recognised that crops must be grown for "mile'? cows. We have efficiency board? reporting the price of meat as reasonable under existing circumstances. Quite so, but what are they doing to control circumstances? By allowing firmer* to be depleted of labor they are killing the eoose. in this ease the cow. that produces the golden butter and cheese, and incidentally the beef. Instead of calves being reared cows are finding their way to the freezing works. True we shail continue to have official reports on the effect of this suicidal policy. In the meantime the contributing causes axe being steadily ignored or perhaps held in view.

Much is being said about settling our returned soldiers on the land, and much money is being spent in purchasing land with that object in view. Just, a thought. where is the stock to come from? And echo answers: Where?

As already reported, the returned soldier.-; recently raided Omata and got away with considerable booty, but liot scathless. After subjecting the mulienc:to a heavy bombardment and letting loose a lot of gas the besieged were invited to try their hand at a little volleying. The response was prompt and the first shot—a brownie—found it) mark plumb on their leader's head What price tin hats when such dangerous practices are indulged in?