DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKETAWA After the worst winter and spring ever experienced in regard to weather conditions, farmers in this district have garnered extraordinary crops of oats and hay, and all over the district can be seen stack after stack of same. On the Durham Road alone, I understand, there are close 011 00 large stacks, and this figure represents a very large increase on past years.

The fine weather, which has continued for over six weeks, has helped a lot of clearing to be done by fire, and on many places outbreak growths, unable to be touched on account of labor conditions, have been completely obliterated, Stumping operations, likewise, have had a con»iderable lift.

The rain which fell on Saturday night, 60 far does not seem to affect burning operations, while for the pasture and turnip crops it was just "the thing." Regarding turnips, all sorts of ideas and complaints are prevalent as to the poor "strikes" in the majority of cases—•ome say "weather," others say "old seed," or "the fly," while others blame the machine. At all events, the shortage in area and the poorness of crops will make a considerable difference in wintering methods this season.

A large meeting of the factory suppliers, including many ladies, was held in the Maketawa factory on Tuesday evening last, when it was decided to revive the picnic and sports which had been held in abeyance during the war. A large general committee was organised, with sub-committees to manage various sports and competition items, and, judging by the interest displayed, the affair gives promise to be as successful as those of past years. The children of the Norfolk and Durham schools are looking forward to the 3rd April (the date fixed) as a pleasurable day, and there is no doubt, given fair weather, their parents will see to it that they are given full measure. As usual, Mr. Alfred Marshall's convenient and suitable paddock has been placed at the disposal of the committee.

The dry spell of weather is responsible for many of the roads becoming dangerous for anything like fast driving on account of loose stones. Driving to and from sales of a largo number of sheep lias further aggravated the trouble. At the Durham School on Friday evening last a social was held, "at which the presentation of school children's prizes also took place. The affair was very successful in every respect, and Miss K. Smith, the teacher, as organiser, is to be congratulated on the success attained. Good attendance certificates were issued to Rita Doduniski, Kathleen Connev, Phoebe and Evelyn Goble, Archie and Roy George, and W. Goble. I understand that Mr. Lichtwark has disposed of what is known as Mehrten's farm to a Tarata resident, who intends to go in for milking. This should be good news to creamery suppliers, as every farm lying idle as regards milk production is a direct handicap to the community.

Firewood splitting offers good opportunity for constant work at remunerative pay to any men wanting work, With the creamery and factory, not taking into account the general public need constant supplies, and the area from which suitable wood can be obtained is very large.

TARIKI. (From, a Correspondent.) The audience that the performers faced at the Tariki Hall last Friday night. Was a tribute to the popularity of Miss Hogan and Langman, and an' evidence of the pleasant recollections associated with their other performances in Tariki. The opening item was a pianoforte trio, played by Misses Therkleson, Wiley and Glenn. Miss Dulcie Taylor's pleasing voice was heard to advantage in an American war song, "I'm Hitting the Trail to Normandy," a most effective tableau being arranged to represent the different countries. Miss Clarice Langman also delighted the audience with her singing of "Pack up your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag," the chorus being sung and acted very creditably by Misses Laurence, Thomson, Price, Fabis'h, TherIvlesou unci Davidson, who were dressed in male attire. Next on the programme came a dollies' song by Kita Laurence and Emie Rumball, which was very nicelj acted. Following was a character song, "In Monterey," sung by Miss Hogan and Langman, the latter acting the gentleman's part very well. The daintiest item of the evening was the 'Fairy Ballet." The throne was arranged to represent a water lily round which danqed the queen (Miss Rita Kendrick," looking sweetly pretty in her royal attire. Then appeared four other fairies (D. Jury, R. Laurence, P. and C. xoung), who very daintily danced before the queen. This item was repeated to a most hearty encore. The clubswmging performed by M., V. and 0. Price was a very popular item, also the violin solo by Miss Clarice Langman. ihe Japanese song sung and acted by thirteen little girls was very prettily arranged, the soloist, little Ernie Rumball, having a very sweet voice. Following this came a skirt dance by six school girls, which was exceedingly pretty, the colors of the dresses being artistically arranged. - Next came a. pianoforte duet by E. Rumball and F. Wisnewski, followed by a song, "1 Want to go Back to the Farm." This was a very popular item, three girls dressed to represent milkmaids and three bovs in harvesting attire. The most popular item m the comic line was a recitation "J" ttwr. entitled "The Sewing ircle. This ladv possesses some talent as a comedian, knd we hope to hear her again before long. Not far belimd as regards popularity was a vocal duet entitled "That Dear' Old Home of iline, sung by Misses Hogan and Langman the former exhibiting some skill m the performance of the gentleman's part. A pianoforte duet by M. and 0 Price came next, being followed bv a song by ten girls dressed as Quakers. J tns was a very pretty item and fully deserved the applause which it received. ir ti. ® on S " Slie ' s the Daushter of Mother McCree," was the prettiest item of the evening. Miss Hogan has a voice of most pleasing quality, her enunciation and acting being perfect. The ballet girls, Misses Thomson, Price, Laurence and Langman, looked exceedingly pretty in their Irish costumes, and deserve credit for the way in which thev carried out their part. The final chorus Good-bve-ee," was sung by all performers, concluding one of the best- concerts e\er held in this district. The chairman (Mr. Hueker), in his concluding remarks, thanked Miss Hogan and Langman for the excellent way in winch they had carried out their part, also Mrs._ Petherbridge for kindly lendJiig her piano, and Mr. Thomas for supplying the stage curtains. The hall was then cleared for dancing, Messrs. N. and G. Nichol making efficient- MCs The music was supplied by Miss Langman •nd Hogae, »xtraa being by

Misses 0. Therkleson, C. Langmau (violin), and Mr. J. Stephenson. TATARAIMAKA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Up to two or three years ago there was very little change to be noted among the settlers in the district, the same families residing here for many years. The past two or three years has, however, seen quite a lot of elianges, and very few of the old settlers here now remain, some of the farms having since changed hands two or three times. This year there is every indication that further changes will take place, as several properties have already changed hands. Mr. Richardson has sold his property to Mr. Reardon, of South Taranaki, whilst Mr. Lacey has disposed of his property on the main r?ad to Mr. W. Bint, of Tariki, the price being £3O per acre. Mr Burrows, on the-Leith Road, has also, it is said, sold out, and buyers are also said to be after a well-known beach farm. That this land can fatten sheep and do them well is shown by a fine line of heavy Lincoln six-tooth and full-mouth wethers that a local farmer has got- ready for tlie works, but is unable to get them away, as the works are restricting operations owing to likely shortage of space. One farmer in this district must surely hold the record for changing, having disposed of properties for the eighteenth time. His operations have been confined to the district between Inglewood, Urenui and Okato. He must have proved a gold mine to land agents. The annual school picnic is to be held next week, and the children are looking forward to a good day, and so are the adults. By the mail that arrived on Saturday Mrs. ,J. G. (ayde received letters from Tataraimaka boys at the front appreciatively acknowledging the receipt of Christmas cakes that were forwarded by the iadies of Tataraimaka in September. By a previous mail two similar acknowledgmeats were received.