MARTINBOROUGH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1941, Page 7

MARTINBOROUGH

PATRIOTIC EFFORTS DISTRICT'S SPENDLID RECORD. (“Times-Age” Special.) Martinborough is showing its keen patriotism by the whole-hearted manner in which it is providing funds for the various patriotic efforts. Already a substantial sum has been donated, comparing on a population basis more than favourably with similar centres in other parts of the Dominion. In the Great -War Martinborough rose to the occasion in supporting patriotic efforts and providing men and material. Away back in the Boer War Martinborough enlistments in the New Zealand Contingent were among the first, while it was a Martinborough trooper who was the first Wairarapa casualty in that war —the late Sep. McDougall, a member of an old and highly esteemed Lower Valley family, and who was a very popular farmer and soldier, losing bis life in a brilliant charge against superior Boer forces. Today's patriotic gala is being held under good conditions, and it is anticipated that a large sum of money will be realised for the patriotic fund. COUNTY ROADS

POLICY OF IMPROVEMENT. The Featherston County Council is carrying out a commendable policy of Keeping the roads under its control in. a satisfactory condition. Convined that, that it is false economy to allow the roads to be without strict attention, the council has always kept a close eye on its thoroughfares, and meeting conditions which arise from time to time with promptitude. Metalling is to be carried out on various roads in the Pahaoa Riding and tenders are called for getting and carting 1310 cubic yards of metal for the purpose. The main highway is to receive attention also, and 500 cubic yards of metal are to be used, and tenders for delivering and carting this quantity are being called. The Tora and Te Awaite roads arc also to receive attention, and tenders are invited for the delivery of 550 cubic yards on these roads. All these tenders will close at 10 a.m. on April 10. Intending tenderers will be met at the county offices, Kitchener Street; Martinborough, to be shown the work —on Tuesday, April 8 for the Tora and Te Awaite road contracts, and on Wednesday, April 9 lot the Pahaoa and main highway work. The improvement made in the roads controlled, by the Featherston County Council in recent years has been most marked. At one time many of the more important thoroughfares were little better than clay tracks, but a wise policy of improvement in recent years .has resulted in the providing of roads which can be driven over today with a feeling of security and with no risk of damage to vehicles. Football. Though the war has considerably interferred with sport in the district Martinborough enthusiasts are hopinf to be able to place at least one team ir one of the Wairarapa championship grades this season. On more than one occasion Martinborough has provided t senior team, but that ambition will no' be fulfilled this season owing to enlistments in the New Zealand forces. Herd Testing. The value of herd testing is being' increasingly recognised by local dairy farmers, and the results of testing arc very evident, among those herds which have been brought under the movement, the increased production of the tested cows having astonished many of those dairy farmers who have hitherto looked upon testing with little favour. It is confidently anticipated that in the coming season many additional cows will come under the local scheme. The quality of the butterfat as well as the quantity have shown marked improvement during the past few seasons and farmers are to be congratulated on coming into a scheme which must ultimately produce beneficial results for them.