COUNTRY NEWS.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14894, 17 October 1918, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

TAKAEA

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

After a very hard winter and a backward spring, we are now getting plenty ot warm, soft rains, and the grass is coming away well. Farmers say they have ne,vev been so short of iced as during the past few months, and all &tock are backward in condition.

Whitebait are coming -up the rivers in fair quantities now, and the river banks are quite a busy scene when the tides are right. . The Takaka Volunteer Fire Brigade held its first annual meeting last week, when Mr G. Polgiaze was elected caotam m place^f Mi- J. H. Haase, who is called up in the Second Division. The report stated that the brigade had been called on twice during its first term and successfujly coped with the fires on each occasion. The brigade is now established in its own building, ri"ht on the main street. The matter" of erecting a tower and bell is now under consideration. A social evening is to be held shortly with.a view of raising the necessary funds. The newly* elected Town Board met last week, Mr. W. Neilson being appointed chairman. This body is severely handicapped for lack of funds, but the membei-sS:" are feeling their way, and in various ways are striving for the betterment of this small town.

The local bowling green and tennis courts have so far not been opened for play this season, the weather having been altogether top showery to permit any work of preparation being done. On Wednesday last a little band of willing workers ran a Paddy's Market to raise funds to send Christmas presents to the Takaka boys at the front. The weather proved showery and the attendance was very disappointing. However, those who did turn \ip worked and spent their money like heroes and some £85 was taken in all.

A very old settler, Mr. James, Lindsay, sen., of Upper Takaka, passed away peacefully on Wednesday last at the age of 88. He had been failing for some time, and his end was not unexpected. The old gentleman had lived for years in almost complete! retirement, previous to which he was a very successful sheep farmer and a man of great strength and vigour, and respected by all for his sturdy, upright character and straight dealings. He leaves a grown-up family to mourn fheir loss.

Batches of our soldier boys are coming back from the war more or less battle scarred and broken. In the lastfew weeks Lieutenant F. G. Painter, Privates G. Bartlett, K. Staples, and H. J. Hunter have returned.

The Returned Soldiers' Club is now established, and will shortly be opened with a big social evening. The need of this club is growing every day, and the public should hardly need remind--ing that it is their du.ty to do all they can to see that it is maintained in a style befitting its object.