APONGA.

Northern Advocate, 14 February 1912, Page 3

APONGA.

(Own Correspondent.

* Notwithstanding the dry weather the country is looking greener and carrying more feed than is usually the case at this time of the year, and had ir. not been for the grievous set-back which we experienced in the spring through the hardi winds the settler would have beei. hard put to it to find something to growl about. Happily the effects of that time are still showing in the shortage of cream, so that •we can growl with an easy conscience and hope for a better season nextyear, f >The Purua No. 2 School has had to W closed owing to the measles breaking out amongst the Maori scholars. Of course, the teacher and committee have taken the right step in trying to confine the sickness to a limited area, but they might just as well try io keep the tide back with a teaspoon, for the natives cart the sick children "ith them wherever they wish to visit Whangarei or a neighboring settlement. Steps can be taken to stop this state of things, but anyone who has had any experience in dealing with the Health Department as regards the natives will have learnt to leave it severely alone.V>Owing to this sickness the school picnic, which was to be held on the &th of this month, has been postpone! to' the 4th of April, when it is hoped that a good crowd will be present as the heaviest of the farm work will be a thing of the past.

The road contractors are making excellent progress in the metalling, and it is no longer problematical whether the road will be metalled right through to Kamo this season or not. We shall, no doubt, soon see a motor 'bus taking a daily trip to and from Whangarei to cater for the public— vntil such time ; at least, that the areoplane service is instituted, which will probably be a couple of years or more hence. , r~~*' " ■ m m* _ —"*«