DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

DURHAM ROAD. (Prom Our Own Correspondent). The fine weather is causing unusual activity on all sides with the mower, and the hopes of tin farmers are that wo will have a lengthy continuation of favorable conditions In order that the hay inay be saved. The very dirty weather during the month has caused much anxiety amongst those who have had the turnip drill at work, and I understand that In many cases the plots will have to be re-sown, while in'several instances the wet | weather prevented the seed being sown at all, | and naturally the aspect for wintering stock, 1 especially if we have a bad autuuin, is none too bright. Sgveral paddocks of hay, which had been I lying out during the bad spell, were got I to stack on Tuesday last, but the quality must suffer. Several changes in ownership are pending In . the near future, as several farms in the district have been under offer for sale. 1 1 quite expected that Durham folk, who, in the past, had shown a disinclination to part with thoir property, would have been able to resist the .temptation, so evident In other parts, but, if toy information Is correct as to prospective happenings, it seems as If several have succumbed. I notice per your telegraphic news recently i that a small farmer in the south .had been i fined for sowing turnips on a Sunday. Naturally small farmers are Indignant at such treatment being moted out, and at the interference shown by people who know nothing about the struggle these small farmers have with weather conditions, and it Is time a most emphatic protest was put up against such. Ignorance of what the small farmers' disabilities are could easily be obviated and perhaps (more appreciation shown regarding the hardships encountered by the men who are carrying the whole country on their backs. It Is to be hoped that when the New Plymouth electric scheme is under way that the dairying industry, which is expected to titiliso a considerable amount of power, will not have to suffer the Inconvenienco which our "Moa" friends suffered by the flood damage to the Inglewood electric works on Saturday last. A considerable amount of cream had accumulated at tho factory through the breakdown, and that Is not conducive to the well-being of the industry. We have heard of Chrischurch being held up for several hours through the Coleridge works being put ou: of action by a thunderstorm, and one cannot but wonder how our industry will fate under like happenings. (Now Plymouth's service has been held up once—and then for only a brief period—in fourteen years—Ed). Mr. W. Laurence's farm has been acquired by Mr. \Y. Kaye, of Hastings, who, I believe, takes possession during February. Residents will bo pleased to renew acquaintances with Mrs. Kaye, who, as Miss I. Mayer, was teacher at the Durham school for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Kaye have the well wishes of the community as to their prosperity, etc. Much speculation is evinced as to how our produce is to be disposod of during next season, and suppliers are asked (per request at creamery) to give their opinion regarding the fixing of prices by Government or selling to the Itaperial Government. I quite iimagine there will bo a solid expression for the open marketWood tiino is ou us again, and it Is evident that favorable conditions for blackberry and ragwort have existed in the interim. We were promised legislation regarding tho checking of weeds, but, so far, I am unablo to get any information as to what such legislation consists of. Truly the laggard methods of the authorities in regard to this important matter is enough to mako one believe that some string-pulling is in vogue, else why the delay? The resumption of the excursion trains for country school children has been eagerly look-; ed forward to by residents of this, and other, j districts, and it may bo interesting to thorn to j know that the chairman of tho School Committees' Association (Mr. .T. Sutherland of Inglewood) is able to state that definite arrangements are in progress whereby a train will be available for a trip to the seaside on February 2G. Given flno weather there's no doubt a rcord crowd will roil up, considering that tho affair has been held in abeyance for several seasons.