DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

' PUNGAREHU (From Our Own Correspondent.) A peculiar point of interest to farmers was mentioned in the course of a judgment at a court case hold recently. The Magistrate stated that a person is supposed not to allow damages to accumulate, and further is required to lessen them whore possible, thus, if a hull breaks a gate or fence, tho farmer who suffers is expected to repair It as soon as he can. Ho cannot sit down and let damages pile up through the cattle coming through the opening, and then claim from the owner tho bull all his losses, much of which would be duo to his own inactivity. Tho directors of tho local dairy factory held their monthly meeting, on Saturday, the lfith., Mr. SI. Fleming presided. Now that the factory directors are in Ihc building mood, and in view of tho nouto housing difficulties, it would assuredly he to their advantago to recognise .that their married employees, and those about to marry, are more likely to rest satisfied and give better services If properly and comfortably domiciled A few five-roomed cottages cbuld be built in concrete on a property near to the one recently acquired by the company, and be made as convenient as possible for the occupiers. Kent could be charged on a 6 per cpnt basis calculated on the cost of the buildings and section, plus a small sinking fund. It is reported that Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of the Bach, are preparing to leavo tho district shortly, Mr. Smith, who has been cook for the local factory employees, and given every satisfaction for the past few years will be very much missed by them, and his many friends will ho sorry to hear of their sudden departure. We wish them, every success in their new home. Mr. Stanley Durbridge Is at present an inmate of the New Plymouth hospital, being' ill with pneumonia. We all sincerely trust that his slay In tho Institution will not be a lengthy one, and that he will soon bo Well and strong again. "Stanley" is' too"' good a man to "be laid by indefinitely. It is also reported that ono of Mr and Mrs Kirk's family has been taken ill with pnuemonla. If this Is so we wish tho" young sufferer a complete and quick recovery There is an epidemic of colds and sore throats in this district at tho present time Mr. W. T Guild, manager of tho . local dairy factory, who has beon sperMing a short holiday in th» South ' Island, ' raturned to Pungarehu last Friday. Matters political are now being discussed freely, and speculation is rife as to what particular kind of Government we are to be treated to for the next threo years. Mr. S. Q Smith, M.P, who is again standing for the Taranakt electorate. Is delivering a political address in the local hail on tho 20th Inst. Another welcomo homo function is impending, as Lieut. McS.ivanay is expected to visit Pungarehu In the first week in December The list of diseases which have to he notified to the authorities is now quite a formidable one, compared with a few years ago several diseases, having been added within the last 12 months. There ara about twenty-three notifiable diseases, as well as several kinds of influenza, so that tho figures to-day are larger than they wore a couple of years ago The total number of cases notified during the past month, exclusive of influenza, was IR3 an Increase of 24 over the September total. The principal figures, are: Diphtheria B5 cases ponuraonia 42 cases, lethargic encephalitis two cases, cerebro spinal meningitis four cases.