DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—-URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Wednesday last, Dr. Averill (Bishop of Auckland) visited Urenui, accompanied by the Rev. Gavin, of Waitara, and Archdeacon Evans, of New Plymouth. The Bishop delivered a most eloquent sermon in the Anglican Church, the- organ being presided over by Mrs. A. Thompson. At the conclusion, an enjoyable afternoon tea was partaken of ip the Urenui Hall, provided by the lady members of the church. During the week, Mr. Syme, agricultural instructor under the North Taranaki Education Board, paid his periodical visit to the Mlrtli school. During the course of his visit, Mr. Syme commented most favorably upon the collection of bird’s eggs and charts arranged by the pupils, also upon the manner in which the school gardens were being attended tn. In connection with the nursery established by the pupils of the Mimi school, it, might be mentioned-that they have recently disposed of some of the first fruits of their labors, having sold to settlers in the district several hundreds of seedlings of the E. Macarthurl eucalyptus species. From experiments conducted by the Forestry Department, it has been proved that this species can be most successfully grown in the North Island, and attains a height of some 120 feet. The timber is reddish brown in color, very durable, and makes excellent fuel. It is also one of the easiest species to transplant. Should the trees develop (and there is no reason why they should not) it will be pleasant in a few years’ time for the present-day boy or girl to point them out as trees reared In the district by their own efforts. Several dairy herds in this district have recently been dehorned, and the practice is now becoming quite general. The system has a lot to recommend it, inasmuch as it makes the cattle more docile and prevents them Inflicting serious injury upon one another when enclosed in the stockyards. In the case of beef cattle, it is also claimed that those which have been dehorned fatten more quickly and produce better beef than those with the horns on. Same farmers develop a hornless herd by dehorning in the calf stage, and it is a well-known fact that If young calves are carefully treated with caustic potash there is not a. vestige of horn left, their polls being smoother than those of many members of the hornless breeds.

During the week an old Wai-toi-tbi resident in the ’ person of Mrs. C. Grainger, now of Fitzroy, New Plymouth, accompanied by Mr. Grainger, sent., l'..s been spending a few days with her sister, Mrs. Gordon Salway, of Wai-toi-toi. Armistice Day was honored both in Urenui and Wai-toi-toi by a cessation of work and two minutes’ silence at 11 a.m. on Saturday last. Both this and Anzac Day are occasions which will long be remembered by every unit of the British" Empire, and no doubt will be observed by future generations with the same respect with which they are accorded

now. After another week of atrocious weather, a torrential rain, accompanied by hailstones, thunder and lightning, occurred during the milking period on Saturday morning. It would seem to have been fairly local, as visitors from New Plymouth state that nothing out of the ordinary in the shape of weather conditions prevailed there during that period. In this district, as in many other localities, there are large areas of ground ploughed, and in some cases partially disced, awaiting a dry spell in order that they may be sown for autumn and winter feed, with the teams Idle and eating their heads off. When the weather does lift there will no doubt be a. big rush to make up for lost time, but nevertheless two or three weeks lost at this period of the season somewhat disorganises the routine of most farms and upsets the calculations of their owners.

Shearing operations are practically at a standstill, but it is expected that will be some fairly good clips this season, whilst the probable high price for fat lambs should be encouraging to breeders. Amongst the many farms in this district which, with the progress of the dairying industry, have been improved in a few years to a wonderful degree of efficiency, is “Ngahiwl," the stud farm of Mr. W. J. Freeth, of Pukearuhe; and during a recent visit the writer had the pleasure of inspecting some highclass pedigree stock of the Jersey type, which reflect great credit on the judgment of their owner, and also show the care bestowed upon them as regards grazing and other conditions. When, some twenty years ago, Mr. Freeth first entered Upon dairying in this locality, he, like many others, milked any old thing in the shape of a cow, and supplied the Crown Dairy Company's factory, which was then situated on the site of Mr. Rdigley’s milking shed and stockyard. With butterfat running at about 6d per lb, it can easily J)? imagined that there was no fortune in the 6 n^ e - But happily, this state of affaire was remedied with the Inauguration of the White Cliffs Cooperative Dairy Factory, and from that period onwards matters improved wonderfully. Recognising that a good animal required no more feed than an inferior one, Mr. Freeth turned his attention to improving the breed of his herd, and from small beginnings has now some pedigrees on his farm in which are embodied the best milking strains in Taranaki, and at the recent pedigree stock sale, held in New Plymouth, young bulls from his farm found buyers from Kaitaia, Whakatane, Mokau, Inglewood and Okato. As showing that Mr. Freeth has every faith in the future of the district in which he resides, and also in the efficiency of the pedigree e.Trsey as a source of revenue, it might be mentioned that he intends next season, in addition to his present herd of mixed purebreds and grades, to establish on the front portion of his farm, near the .main road, a herd of some 40 cows, composed entirely of pedigrees, which will be hand-milk-ed and placed under semi-official test. This is a most progressive step, and will be a big advertisement for the district; and no doubt in a year or so Mr. Freeth will reap the reward of his enterprise. MANGATOKI. (From Our Own. Correspondent.) The dairy factories in this district are mostly manufacturing cheese, and, from the state of the Home market, suppliers have every reason to be hopeful of realising good prices for their produce. The boisterous weather of the last week or two has had a lowering effect on the milk supply, which no doubt will improve with the weather. Mr. Astbury, the Liberal-Labor candidate, addressed the electors at Mangatoki on November 1. There were a fair number present. Mr. Guy presided. He spoke on the same linos as already published. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his able address. A number of his supporters stayed after the meeting to form a committee to further Mr. Astbury’s candidature. A few local residents journeyed to Stratford to hear the Prime Minister’s address on Friday evening. There is a great deal of sickness among young, children about just now. The tennis courts were opened three weeks ago, but so far there has been very little play, owing to wet. weather. Many residents of South Taranaki regretted to learn of the death of Mr. Edwin Parrott, who passed away at New Plymouth last week. He was well-known and highly respected by everyone. We extend our sympathy to his bereaved ones. OAKURA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) During last week Mr. G. H. Bell was unlucky enough to lose two of his pedigree stock, the value of which would amount to about £4OO. On Saturday evening, Mr. George Tweedie, self-styled Democrat, paid us a visit to explain his plan for speeding up the millenium which he, twenty years ago, had a hazy notion he could effect. His election campaign Is certainly conducted in a unique manner, at times resembling a vaudeville performance. The strongest plank in the platform of the “future light of the human races of the nlanet” appears to be his ability to turn “flips,” which he claims it is not in the power of any of the present statesmen to perform. ~ , Evidently a final believer In the old adage that “the pen IB mightier than the sword,”

Mr. Tweedie circulates* literature broadcast, with the intention of gaining notoriety. In one of his leaflets the question appears, “Will George Tweedie be disappointed if not passed?" Let us hope not. RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Manaia bowlers are expected here on Wednesday, the 15th 4nsl., and if fine an enjoyable time should be spent. We have had quite enough wet weather recently, and It is to be hoped that the evenings of Tuesday and Wednesday will be fine so as to let all voters for the Liberals and Reformers go to hear both Messrs. Hawken and Astbury. Mr. N. Andrews, of picture fame, seems to have bad luck. When the pictures were on Monday it was always wet, and now the night has been changed to aSturday, the weather remains wet. The many friends of Mr. P. Parker will be sorry to hear that his sister Is very ill In a hospital in New Plymouth. Mrs. Ernest Baker’s little baby girl is far from well, and she is in town with it for medical attendance. A meeting is to be held in the hall on Friday night, the 17th., to make final arrangements for the opening of the memorial to our fallen soldiers. The committee are to be congratulated upon their choice of stone. ' .. A few Rahotuites were abla to - attend :<the unveiling of the Okato monument,’but had/it been a fine day crowds would have attended.