DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1919, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MIDHIRST. SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION ATHLETIC SPOBTS. The meeting, under the auspices of tho above association, was held on the Ist Instant, when there was a large attendance of local residents, and amongst the numerous visitors from Stratford and outlying districts were Mr. McMillan (president) and Mrs. McMillan. Mr. Ferguson (chairman) and his committee are to be congratulated on the excellent arrangements throughout, and the officials one and all carried out their duties to the entire satisfaction of both the onlookers and competitors. The onerous duties of honorary- secretary were in Uie hands of Mr. B. Wybourue, who carried them out in his usual courteous and efficient manner. A word of praise Is due to the bandicappers (Messrs. J. Shorter, F. Carter and Carroll), whose task was a difficult one, there being big entries for all events, including a number of "dark horses." However, they proved themselves quite equal to the occasion, and close finishes and a well distributed prize list resulted. Mr. W. Hamblyn (starter), and Messrs. Ferguson and Cookson (judges) carried out the duties in a manner which showed that they Were old hands at the game. Messr3. G. Smith and Mail had a busy time looking after the children's races, and Messrs. Harkness , (in charge of the sheep and pig weight guessing) and Dury (ladles' nail-driving) also did good work. A very successful and well-attended dance was held in the evening. During the supper Interval Mr. Ferguson, in the course of an interesting speech, said that no sports had been held by the association during the war, and that the funds they had in hand had been distributed amongst patriotic appeals to the amount of about £7O. (Applause.) The war being over, the association had lost no time in reviving the sports meeting, and he felt he was justified in saying that they had had a very successful day and evening. (Applause.) The results were as follows: Maiden 150 Yards.—J. H. Johnson 1, W. Smith 2, W. Whetter 3. Boys, IT years.—Tristram 1, Stephenson 2, Whetter 3. 100 Yards (open) .-J. Hall 1, Vestey 2, C. Fowler 3. Putting the Shot.—A. Richmond 1, Mumby 2, Taylor 3. Young Ladies' Race.—Miss J. Martin 1. Hurdle Race.—H. Edwards 1, C. Fowler 2, B. Coutts S. Returned Soldiers.—Vestey 1, B. Smith 2, C. Carroll 3. 220 Yards (open).—R. Coutt3 1, Coleman 2, Fowler 3. Suppliers' Race.—Hayes 1, Hall 2. ' Long Jump.—Tristram 1, Coutts 2, Hayes 3. Married Ladies.—Mrs. Hall 1, Mrs. Jacobsen 440 Yards (open).—Taylor 1, Hayes 2, Coleman 3. Hop, Step and Jump.—Fowler 1, Coutts 2. Stepping the Chain.—H. Huckstep 1. One and a half miles (open).—Hayes 1, C. Carroll 2, Coleman 3. Nail Driving.—Mrs. Wright 1. 150 Yards (local).—L. M. Stephenson 1, W. Vlckers 2, H. Edwards 3. Pig Weight-Guessing.—D. Brosman (85%1b). Sheep Weight-Guessing.—R. J. Hlghden, T. Cookson and IS Jenkins (53^1b), OMATA. A very enjoyable welcome-home social was held In the Omata Hall last Thursday night, when a large number of recently returned men were present. With a good floor, good music and a large gathering ot willing dancers, all the elements were present to make the gathering a most enjoyable one', and 50 it proved to be. In the course of the evening" Mr. Bayly, on behalf of the people of Omata, expressed the pleasure all felt In having so many of our boys back again. General regret was felt throughout the district when it became known that Mr. Wilfred Mace had met with a serious accident, and all hope that he will make a complete and quick recovery. Wilfred is too good a man to be laid by indefinitely. The old saying that misfortunes never come singly was clearly exemplified the other day, when a valuable stack of hay, owned by Mr. Mace, took fire, and was completely destroyed. This is the fourth large stack to be destroved by fire in the immediate vicinity of Omata. The loss (jf so much fodder will be seriously felt when the winter months arrive. The milking season is fast drawing to a close and the time is near when her Majesty, the cow, will be taking her annual vacation, while her bondmen will be busy doing necessary work to prepare for next season. There is no rest for the dairyman. A movement is afoot to form a branch of the fS" 6 !™ Union '"ore, and a meeting is being held in the hall 011 Monday night for their purpose. In the matter of unity farmers have much leeway-to make up, and it is to be hoped a large number will be present, and a real live branch formed. It is time neighboring farmers realised the fact that thetr interests are identical, politically and otherwise. I Councillor Simpson's mind is agitated because the blackberry and kindred weeds Z ,a" J! e a nat «™l death, and he wou d saddle us with more restrictions Noxious weeds will never be eradicated, or even held in check by Act of Parliament. What is wanted is less speculation in farm lands. The bona fide farmer who intends to make a farm his home will tackle the blackberry in the same way as the early settler tackled the bush -.1 be l t „ lt .5 sclt blt by Mt-there Is Z Xr way—while the speculator will do otherwise and the next victim will pay him for it. So long as land prices are Boaring, blackberry will flourUSi m? a sl , ump come and no ™e can afford to sell. They will then make the best of what they have got, and, by Improvements try and brine It up to the value they paid for it There are rumours that extensive improvee£S,!su£. be eflected lQ tlle Koyal oak n f^™. Plrlt of , nn " Bt k ata,n <> and " number of farms are changing hands, for better or for worse, as circumstances will determine