DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

TARIKI. / —— (■Finn Our Own Correspondent). Talking recently to a local settler, "A Qmny .Stot," he put this question unto me: How is it that in this country a man driving a small 3 or 4-horse power stationary steam engine that any kid could run has to have an engineer's certificate, und yet others can without any certilicate at all and Very slight knowledge of mechanics drive at often 'high velocity big heavy vehicles, carrying powerUll engines of from 20-horse power upwards, about the public roads to the danger of limb and life of others wishing to make use of the same roads? I give it up, but have no doubt. Mr. Editor, that you will easily answer this little querv without losing any sleep at all. One of our most highly respected settlers who was drawn in the last ballot had the misfortune to be turned down bv the medical board. Much sympathy is felt for him at this unlooked for setback by the authorities, as besides being a noted rifle shot, lie had made all arrangements for getting away, and there is 110 doubt he would have 'been ''some boy" amongst the snipers if his luck had been in and he had got away. (iood progress has been made with the new cheese factory at Rugby road, which is Hearing completion and we are lookin" to having a "night out' when the opening ceremony'takes place. I am glad to hear that Mr. V. Harkttess" little daughter, Christene, who was on the day of the .Stratford races, is making good progress in the N>w Plymouth Hospital. The pony she was riding at the time was very badlv knocked about, and has been trucked to Mr. Mason, veterinary surgeon, for treatment.

Settlors in this locality have availed themselves to the utmost of the fine spell of weather by getting in tfieir hav, though, of course, they are severely handicapped by the dearth of labor and it is quite a common, thou»h pretty si«ht to see member* of the fair sex out in paddocks leading a hand. No shirkers are to be found in their ranks. Thev !v. nl L OU J- and readv to do W>eir w't wnile the boys are away.