DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

KAIMATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Our local dairymen have just now, in common with the "good wife" of old time, one virv.ue in common, in that they "rise while it is yet night," for the short days and exigencies of early factory supply are responsible for the barking of the cow-dog before dawn. There have been comparatively few 'osses in cows or stock, so far as I can learn. but tho haystacks have been just about finished as a result of the protracted winter and rough spring. However, the prospects arc bright. Money is plentiful, milk cheques are growing, and the shortage of shipping as a distant or even present factor for uneasiness has not affected the ''Mark Tapleys" of the dairying industry, the bulk of whom are cheerfully optimistic.

The Farmers' Union still kicks vigorously, and a social is on the tapis for the 10th, and on the 17th a lecture on "Forestry" is to be delivered by Mr. Maxwell, a recognised authority on the subject. There can be no doubt that with the depiction, or even total loss, of native timber, we should remember the advice of the did Scottish laird: "Plant-a-tree, pknt-a-tree; they'll aye be growin'while ye are sleepin'." Speaking of forestry reminds one that the native bush reserve on the Everett F.oad is now the haunt of hordes of halfstarved cattle, and one wonders who is responsible for its preservation. The Waitui telephone system is now about complete, but, is still wanting instruments which have to arrive by steamer from the States. I understand the phones are to be of the latest Ericksen or Carlsen type.

The recent southerly buster, with heavy, driving rain, was responsible for the death of a percentage of lambs and a few ewes. In some cases the amount of water chilled the lambs and they died in the pools without gaining their feet. Ploughing is now becoming general, and the scarcity and price of fertiliser arc likely to be a,serious matter to the majority of farmers. 1 was informed by n Wellington merchant that, the freight on superphosphate from Australia was likely to exceed £■( per ton.

The Taranaki County is now renewing patches of road to Kaimata from Tuglewood, and is also repairing some bridges on the same route. There is a! c o some talk of renewing the Ngatoro bridge, but at present engine and trailer are brought over the Manganui bridge, to which the county refused to contribute. Taken in conjunction with the recent attempt at a merger, wo may believe that, with npolooies to Bums, it is a case of "Tell m», Moa, low to woo thee" MIDHIRST. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A singular acident occurred at Midhirst on Tuesday last, when a boy of 13, Keith Rutledge, having got up the cows, was on 'his way to the station. When running to get under a gate way, he slipped, and in falling injured his right leg. Mr Mills, who was riding past later noticed him lying just inside the paddock, and with Mr Rutledge, who was just returning from Stratford, carried him to the latter's residence. Dr Gordon, of Stratford, was promptly on the scene, and found . the little fellow, who bore 'his sufferings most pluckily, had sustained a broken thigh, and after setting it ordered him to the New Plymouth Hospital for X-ray treatment. The saying that misfortune never comes singly applies in this instance, Mr Rutledge's eldest 'on Tan being at present in a private hospital suffering from an attack of rheumatic fever. Although wc 'have recently experienced a short spell of more congenial weather, the cold south-westerly showers at present prevailing arc not conducive to the growth of feed, which, in common with other districts, is somewhat on t'lie short side at present.