DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1917, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

ROBSON ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent). A very pleasant evening was spent by tho settlers of this valley at the house of Mr. H. Eowe in order to show our appreciation of him and to make a presentation to the manager of the Robson road creamery which is now closed down and being quickly demolished, as the suppliers have forsaken their first love, to wit, the Stratford Dairy Company, and joined in with the Eltham Dairy Company, who have now erected and have in full swing one of the most up-to-date cheese factories in the Dominion, also I good residences for all the employees. The first part of the evening was devoted to a euchre tournament. The winner of the lady's prize was Miss Blackstock, while the gentleman's prize fell to Mr. .1. Kelly, who was warmly congratulated on his win. After all had partaken of a dainty supper Mr. H. Hunt made the presentation. His remarks found an echo in every one present when he spoke of Mr. Byer's ability as a creamery manager and his kindness and tact, a nmn who has faithfully done his duty to the company, and produced the highest grade of cream, the creamery itself being always a model of cleanliness and yet during his sojourn among them there hid never been a cross word or a black look between Mr. Byers and any supplier. Mr Byers was then called on and presented with a beautiful and useful solid leather dressing case and suede leather wallet, to which he most suitably responded, after which singing and recitation made the hours quickly pass, as the talent displayed was much above the ordinary. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought to a close one of the happiest reunions ever held in the district. MOKAU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The re-opening of the Mokau River and the resumption of steamer traffic to beyond the edal mines, thirty miles up, will soon be an accomplished fact. The Minister for Marine is doing all in his power to assist the Harbor Board in arranging preliminaries to ensure an earlystart beng made with the snagging of the river. It is confidently expected the work will be put in hand as soon after Christmas and New York as possible. Mr. Northe h*s just completed another river boat, this time to the order of Mr. Alec Bone. Paint pot and brush have been busy during the past week, both on the liver aW in the township. On the former Mr. Sjolund has been engaged in painting his launches. In the latter Mr. Proctor to the order of Mrs. Box has flourished his brush on our one and only accommodation house to an extent that will gladden the eye an 4 heart of tho weary traveller. Mr. H. J. Smith, as highly esteemed as a man as he is as a baker, has definitely decided to close down his business at the end of the week. The abnormal conditions brought about by the war do not warrant him. continuing. Mr. A. Kelly, of Kiliark dairy, is having a butter store erected on the river foreshore in the vicinity of the ferry. Mr. J. Northe is the architect and builder. Wool has been coming into the wharf shed freely during the month, principally from Messrs Johnston and Davis, Chambers' Bros., and Terrill and Black. In consequence steamers have been more in evidence in the port than liar, been usual (or snrne time. Messrs Moore and Pascoe, officers of the Education Board, honored Mokau with their presence lately. The school—wnich has by the way been under the paint brush too—hopes to benefit to the extent of a few new desks through the visit, and a few hitherto absent children fear they will have to go to school in future as another result. His Lordship, Bishop Averill, with the Venerable Archdeacon Evans of New Plymouth, and the Rev. Mr. Barnett, of Inglewood, recently, by way of relaxation from their labors in file matter of the creation of a new diocese, made a short tour of the Mokau Paver. Upon their return they expressed themselves as delighted with the scenery, and only regretted they were not able to make a longer visit. The Bishop, the Archdeacon and the Reverend are all plain, unassuming men. men that you can speak to and feel at home with. Tiie backbloeks (not Mokau alone) are in need of the visits of such men.

Constable McGregor has been kept fairly busy during the past month, as the columns of your valued paper can testify. Only last week he took one of "the boys" out to dine on Christmas turkey and New Year duff at Hi s Majesty's expense.

This is the season for "tall" fish stories, and Mokau is not going to be far behind. For a long time past rumor had it there was an enormous eel near Raven's Creek, about four miles up the river. Not a fisherman went there but lost either his hooks, line, or both, till one day a stranger came along and said ho didn't believe a word of it. He guessed if he went up there and there was any eel he would get it all right, and not lose any hooks cither. So he hied him off to the local store, and got a good thick clothes line; then to the blacksmith, and had a special hock made, next to the boarding house and borrowed a leg of mutton. He got the loan of a boat and rowed up leisurely to Raven's Creek. There he dropped anchor, baited his hook, and threw out the line. He waited. There, wasn't a bite. Ik waited all day. Still no bite. Disgusted, he got ashore and tied the end of the rope round the largest tree on the bank, got into the boat again and rowed back to Mokau. Arrivtd there he reviled all and sundry, swore they had been only trying to "pull his leg.'' He said there was no 'big eel there—nor small one either. Next day he bethought, himself what a fool he was to have left behind him such a valuable ropo and hook. 'He didn't fee! like throwing away ten bob so easy as that, so he got the boat again and Went, after them. All went, well until within a hundred yards of the creek. There he was astounded to see that tin tree had been pulled right into the middle of the river during the night, and half

sin acre of earth with it. He rowed back to Molrau a sadder and wiser man, and said he believed there was a big eel up there after all. (N.B.—The last man that tt>ld this story is living yet). No wonder the river needs snaggins'! A meeting of the Mokau Patriotic Society was held at the beginning of the month. Present: Messrs S. Whitehead, A. G. Sampson. If. J, Smith. J. Terrill, J. L. MaeDonald, and H. Maine (in the ohair). A suggestion that the patriotic dances ran by the committee should be closed down for the summer months caused a considerable amount of discus.slon. Mr. Sampson said if that wen tkc general opinion, a long night dance couM hi- arranged any time now by way of a wind'tip. Ktessrs Maine and Terriil were of tte «i?raion &e dances should

proceed an They were well conducted and practically the only form of amusement available to the young people of the district. This view was supported 'by Messrs Whitehead and Smith" who thought, in addition, that so long as the dancei paid their way with a surplus, they would still be helpiug on the cause for which they were organised—the welfare of the boys at the front. It was unanimously resolved to continue the dances on the above understanding. The treasurer announced a credit balance of .Co after outstanding accounts had been paid. HARBOR BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Mokau Harbor Board was held on the Bth inst. Members present were Messrs' J. Terrill, H; Maine. A. (.!. Sampson, W. D. Black and S. Whitehead (in the chair).' Correspondence w'as read and dealt with as follows: —From Messrs Geo. Lake and'L. R. Jones, tendering their resignations as member?, of the Board, and expressing at the same time regret at being unable to devote the time necessary to its service.—Accepted with regret.

The secretary was directed to write to the Minister for Marine, pointing out the difficulty of getting suitable men to serve on the Board, and asking whether, in the event of its being able to submit to him the names of two persons, subject to their consent and his approval, he would cause same to be gazetted members of the Board and thus save the expense of an election.

A communication was read from the Board's solicitor, Mr. J. B. Roy, having reference to the collection of the special rate. The secretary was instructed, upon receipt of authorised valuation roll, to go right on with the matter. Mr. 0. E. Louglman, of Palmerston North, reported ,that the result of his negotiations with the Minister of Marine, on behalf of the Mokau Harbor Board, was such that he could advise that body to begin straight away to arrange for the bringing of the Waitara Harbor Board's dredge and barge to Mokau, and the selection of a crew of capable men to engage in the Work of river clearance. :"->mbers generally were agreed that all preliminaries could be arranged during the present month, and the actual work commenced with the beginning of the New Year. The secretary was accordingly instructed to write to Mr. A. G. Mowat, manager for Messrs Chambers Bros., asking whether he would allow Mr. Arnold Olsen, at present in his employ, and subject to that gentleman's consent, to be available for the work of clearing the river, the secretary at the same time to point out the urgency of the matter, and how essential it was that a man such as Mr. Olsen, who thoroughly understood the channel of tl«? river, should be on the job.

It was decided that John Terrill be authorised while in Waitara to interview the chairman and members of the Waitara Harbor Board regarding the insurance, working, and bringing of the dredge to Mokau.

A request fffim Captain Jas. A. Bysautcon. signalman at Mokau, for a day or two's leave of absence when running of steamers permitted, was granted.

Jt was resolved that until further notice the Board hold its meetings on the ,second Thursday evening in each month.