Awanui.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 46, 19 June 1906, Page 3

Awanui.

(From our owu Correspondent.) Although we are in midwinter the weather continues fine, and there is still a growth in grass. Where this is supplemented with hay, stock are in fairly good condition, for this time of the year. As the dairy factory at Kaitaia has closed down for the season, most of the cows will be dried off, and they will have the chance of recuperating their strength for a fresh start in ihe spring. I understand that the result of the season's work was a satisfactory one, and that the output for the year was consideiably over previous years, which must be enc ouraging t o the pioneers of the industiy, who deseive the success they have acheived. It will readily bo admitted their task was an uphill one to begin with, and, now that the corner is turned, straight sailing may be expected to the finish. Much improvement has been made on the roads leading to the factory, and this will remove some of the hardships suppliers had to contend with hitherto. Sheep farming has been more in favour for the last two years than dairying. Both sheep and wool have maintained a good price, which will account for this preference, and although perhaps dairying is much more profitable there is not the drudgery attached to sheep, that there is in dairying, and those who can go back to sheep are doing so. The Foresters met with great success in the social held in Mr. Evans’ hall on Friday evening last. The occasion was to celebrate the success of their last year’s business, culminating in an accumulation of over £IOO to their sick fund account(free from liabilities), which speaks well for its management. It is intended to add tokhe usefulness of the Society by the establishment of a benevolent fund to aid cases requiting assistance outside of that provided for by the rules of the lodge, and the nucleus of this fund will bo the receipts of the social —£ll less costs —a satisfactory beginning. This will help to place this branch of the Society in a strong position, increasing its usefulness considerably, and it may be assumed that one of its achievements will be the procuring of a medical man permanently for the district. This is desirable. Our efforts in this direction up to the present time have been anything but satisfactory, and this stumbling block in our path should be soon removed.

The minds of the public are still considerably agitated over the attempt to burn down Scansie.s store. Indeed it is thought by many that a much greater crime was intended—that of murder. Be this as it may, it is to be hoped the culprit will be brought to book for his misdeed. Other delinquencies require to be laid bare as well, and have a general clearing up. This is certainly desirable if it can be achieved, and why not r June 11th, 1906.