DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

TABIKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) “Splendid growing weather,” is about the commonest remark one hears from the man in the street at Tarlki just now, the said man being in nearly every case a dairy farmer, or, if it should be some other, he is alimost, if not quite, as deeply interested as Mr. Cocky himself. As a case in point, 1 might mention a casual worker, to whom I happened to say a few days ago that the wet days were not much good for his business. His answer was: “Well, I get. no pay for wet days, but I get a rest, and If there were not plenty of wet days the farmers would soon stop employing me on the fine ones; so it’s no use grumbling.” Something of Vhe Josh Billing style about that chap!

The local dairy factory is going strong on the casein and butter production, and the season, so far as the milk supply is concerned, promises to be a good one.

Various opinions are expressed by milk producers locally as to the probable benefits, or otherwise, to be derived from the unuch-talkcd-of dairy produce pool, but their opinions and discussions so far might be likened unto the Scotchman’s too well watered whisky—it doesn't get them any “furruder” In this respect. However, it it somewhat gratifying to know that Tarlki does not stand alone.

After glancing through the long lists of pedigree Jersey bulls that have been offered for sale recently, one cannot help being struck by the number of breeders of this class of stock that have sprung into existence within the last year or two, and wonder if, in the course of another year or two, there will be a single cow In Taranaki that cannot claim to be a direct descendant of some aristocratic butter-fat producing family. Considerable interest was taken locally in the round-the-mountain cycle race on Saturday, the first rider making his appearance in the township at about 2 p.m. This proved to be Moore, the winner, the second rider being about half a minute behind, while there was just about an hour between these and the last man to pass through. The wind was blowing very strongly at the time of their passing through Tarikl, and a»*to how this would have affected them had they at that time (3 p.m.) been travelling from New Plymouth to Opunake became the subject of a somewhat warm discussion among a few who claimed to have some knowledge of the coastal road, some declaring they would have a fair wind, while others appeared equally sure it would be a head wind. Perhaps some of your coastal correspondents will kindly give their version through the medium of their notes to your paper.

The Tariki Football Club are making praiseworthy efforts to put their newly acquired ground in order for next season. The paddock is very handily situated, being only about fifty yards from the railway station, and belongs to Mr. J. Butler, who is giving the club a satisfactory lease of it. The land has been ploughed, and for the last two or three Thursday afternoons quite large numbers of enthusiastic free workers, with scoops, drays, etc., have ben hard at it, levelling and generally preparing the ground for grasssowlng. The spot is a very pleasant one, and, when in playing order, will be quite a credit to the club and the district.

The local operatic society, which from various causes has had to put up with one or two trying disappointments, is now well on the road to success. “Sherwood’s Queen” is to be tlie first thing attempted, and to anyone not in the know, the antics of' some of our villagers, who might he seen and heard waving their arms and muttering to themselves, would seem strange, but to us, who know they are only practising their part as “Robin Hood” or “Friar Tuck,” as the case may be, there is nothing to wonder at or be concerned about. Our youthful bowling club is nt present apparently suffering from an attack of infantile paralysis, owing probably to the fact that Madam Cow is claiming so much of the parents’ attention just now.

A runaway horse attached to a milk cart caused some few minutes’ excitement : n the village on Monday morning. The owner (Mr. Blanchard, of Croydon Road), who had been transa<>tln‘g some business at the local smithy, got into the dray, intending to start for his home, when, for some unknown reason, the horse suddenly took fright and made a dash for “safety,” but very narrowly escaped going over a twelve-foot bank into the river, and was only saved by being hung up in the railings of a bridge.

TAHORA. I (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Tuesday, October 10, Mr. J. B. Hine, the official Reform canlidate for the Stratford seat, spoke in the Tahora Public Works hall. Although the night was wet there was a representative gathering from different parts of the district. Mr. W. Kerr was voted to the chair. Mr. Hine spoke for about an hour and a half on the pones'- of the Reform Party, and he received an attentive hearing throughout. At the conclusion of the address, Mr. Coxhead moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Hine. This was secotided by Mr. Mantle and carried with applause. At a meeting of the Tahora school committee, Mr. J. McGillivray was elected to fill a vacancy on the committee. Subsequently he was appointed chairman. Mr. McGillivray Is a highly respected member of the Tahora public works, and will be an acquisition tG the committee. Now that the Tahora-Kohuratahi line is being metalled it is hoped that some metal may be secured for the school ground. Mr. W. L. Kennedy, who represented the Tahora Settlers’ Association on a deputation to Wellington, returned to Tahora on Saturday night. The deputation received a most sympathetic hearing from the authorities in Wel/ngton. The Whangamoinona counts' Is likely to benefit, and the gorge beyond Tahora is likely’ to receive early attention. The thanks of Taranaki are due to these men for presenting Its Interests in such a capable manner. It was rumored that the new railway carriage for the Tahora-Kohuratahi line was to arrive on Saturday. This anticipation was not fulfilled, but It is expected to arrive soon. The present method of having the passengers and luggage all huddled together in the guards’ van is neither convenient nor comfortA huge railway’ tank is being erected at Tnhora. Its capacity is to be 6000 gallons. It will be fed by a reservoir some little distance

away. OTAKEHO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Tennis Club was very unfortunate in choosing Saturday for its opening day, which proved so wet that it was necessary to postpone the event till the following Wednesday. Their second choice proved more fortunate, however. Very favorable weather prevailed, :>n l there was a large attendance of visitors and members present from all parts of the district. In the absence of the president (Mr. E. Hnstie) the opening ceremony was performed by Mr. H. J. Eaves, who briefly welcomed the visitors, and congratulated the chib on the successful gathering. The court was then declared open, and som« interesting games were witnessed. Later a dainty afternoon tea was served by the ladb • committee, and play was continued till well towards dark. The supporters of Mr. Astbury, the LiberalLabor candidate for this district, held n meeting last week, anti n cnnimitt.ee was elected. Wo are pleased to see that, both Patricia Nicholson and Jim Parsell. who met with acci-' dents here a short time ago, are both on the high road to recovery. Mrs. Symmons, who for some time past has lived with her son, Mr. W. G. Symmons, left last week for Normanby, which will be her future home. Mrs. Bates (Hamilton) is the guest of Mrs. H. J. Eaves. "We are pleased to see the naime of Sefton Herbert in the list of prize winners in the recent cycle race round the mountain, and congratulate him on his success. Considering his youth and the fact that this is his first attempt at anything of the kind, his performance was quite good, and we hope to hear more of him In future. On Sunday night, at. St. John’s Church, Bishop Sprott, assisted by Rev. Swalnson (Mu-

and Rev. Franklin (Hawera), conducted a. confirmation service. There were twentyfive candidates, including those from Manaia. Okaiawa and Hawera, as well as from our own district. The bishop preached a siimple, but helpful sermon to a large and appreciative conogregation. Great was the excitement early this week at. the appearance of a number of tents on a vacant section near the heart, of the “city.” Imagine our disgust and disappointment on learning that what we had unlstaken for a travelling circus was merely the temporary home of a tribe of nomads, more commonly known as Post and Telegraph linesmen, who arc busily engaged in repairing and altering the lines between Opunake and Manaia, making way, we hope, for the electric light. The butchery business formerly In the hands of Mr. L. A. Bailey, has been taken over by Mr. Pettigrew, of MnniHA.,