DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI. (Prom Our Own Correspondent). I am Informed by Mr. Wm. Corcoran that it his been decided to withdraw the Wal-toi-toi estate, which lias been under offer to the Government for some months past, from the market, and tile authorities will hava let slip one o( the best and cheapest dairying propositions in Taranaki, and the means of settlings some seven or eight returned men in homes of their own, and contributing to the increased production which is being so insistently demanded by the Government and nowspapers of tho Empire. It is now somo nine or ten months since, at the request of a number of gentlemen in tho district, Mr. Corcoran offered his property to the Government, at a reasonable figure, as ,1 settlement for returned soldiers. After the lapso of some three months the owner was notified that the authorities considered the price ton high, and there the imatter uoparently ended; but. acting on a from some of the officers of the Land n 0< i r ,i. a syndicate of eight returned soldiers, witn Mr. Sam Topliss as their representative, was formed, and negotiations were entered into with a view to securing the property with the financial assistance of the Government. Even.tually an arrangement, satisfactory to both parties, was arrived at, the owner of the propsrty meeting the syndicate in a proper spirit, and doing all in their power to effect a speedy settlement. A surveyor, accompanied by Mr. Topliss, went over the estate, the different allotments being marked off and the prices per acre agreed upon to suit the various members of the syndicate. Since then matters have apparently been standing still, and Mr. Corcoran has received no official communication as to what steps are being taken to secure the property, and repeated 'applications to the Board only elicit the reply that they had done all they could in the matter, but could get nothing satisfactory from Wellington. At last, one of tho mambers of the syndicate placed the matter before the Minister of Lands, and received a reply that the Government were prepared to take over the property if Mr. Corcoran would agree to certain terms. The terms alluded to had been agreed upon long ago, and yet no effort had apparently been mado to complete them, hence Mr. Corcoran's decision to withdraw tho property, as he is being placed at a disadvantage in working the estate, through not knowing when (if ever) tho deal will be completed. Mr. Topliss has spent considerable time and trouble in the interests of tlie men, who are mostly local, and have been accustomed to farming, whilst the property itself has been pronounced by men of vast dairying experience as a payable proposition for the Midlers. The housing and reading are also nmtters that could have been adjusted without any considerable difficulty. Where tho fault lies It is not easy to define, but that no undue haste been shewn in getting the men settled is apparent to everybody, and somo of the boys would like a little enlightenment on the subject. Judging by the keen interest evinced by racing mien in this district in tho Taranaki Trotting Club's inaugural meeting on February 1, the attendance should be such as to enable the promoters to show a good balancesheet and to place the Club on a sound financial basis. Once the sport gets fairly established thore is no doubt but what it will prosper, as there is a certain fascination about, an up-to-date trotting meeting which always attracts the public. The Club is fortunate in boing able to secure the use of such a fine course and appointments as that of the Taranaki Jockey Club, and, given a fine day, a real good meeting may be anticipated, and, It Is safe to say, will be taken full advantage of by this end of Taranaki. , Followers of cricket in this district were pleased at the good showing made by the Crenu! Club in its first competition fixture against Albion on Thursday last, and their easy win will no doubt causß the local team to feel a certain amount of confidence in Its ability to make p a name for itself in matches with the stronger clubs. In a recent practice match there were no less than thirty-six players taking part on the TJrenul ground, so that next season the club should have no difficulty In putting a couple of teams in the Hold. When the Saturday half-holiday becomes gmeral, and all matches are played on that diy, with the various clubs becoming numerically stronger, the question of providing sufficient playing grounds will have to be considered.

Training operations, In view of the forthcoming beach Tacts, are now becoming general. Though the form displayed Is, perhaps, not quite up to that shown by Gloaming, some good gallops have been registered. One gelding In particular (who is at present earning his grass in the pole of a factory cart) is spoken of as a regular surprise packet, the htavy going on the beach beinc all in his favor. It may be said that all the horses are "triers" at this meeting, and the services of a stipendiary steward are not required. Subject to the necessary permit being obtained, it has been decided to hold the races on April 1. The Wal-toi-to! Dairy Company, at its meeting last week, decided to let a contract for 100 cords of firewood, so that they will not be entirely dependent on the meagre supplies of coal which are likely to be doled out in future.