DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 126, 15 October 1912, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents). ) k X MAKETA\VA. Again, Mr. Editor, I have to notify j hat my last notes, duly posted, ha\ <■ i ailed to reach your office. It is vi-i. trange that such should occur, and as .his is the second occasion within two nonths I think it a matter which requires enquiring into. [lt is Being en- l quired into. —lid. News.] The apathy of the ratepayers, in the t Moa riding regarding Council affaire is really remarkable, and it is strongly ] shown by the manner in which the election of 'the three representatives took ( place. Surely the three members were entitled to the courtesy of being nomin- < ited by a ratepayer other than a fellow ] candidate. A fair amount of comment ] is heard here upon the fact that Mr. A was proposed by Mr. B and seconded by Mr. C, and they in turn repeated . the obligation for each other, and of , course were duly elected. If ratepayers are satisfied with their representatives ' (and those gentlemen are entitled to look upon it in that light) surely they were entitled to nomination in a different way. But it is the method of the careless, happy-go-lucky Taranaki farmer to leave everything to a few until something happens, and then "who'd 'a' thodght it!" etc. It is time somebody shook things up. i The report of his Excellency's speech on scientific farming, as per News, makes j excellent reading, and strong remarks \ anent co-operation being extended in I several branches (particularly federating the different concerns) should set our experienced ones thinking. I'm sure if a conference of the chairmen of the various companies took place and the matter threshed out it would not be long before the idea became a reality, and the benefit that must accrue (if there's anything in co-operation at all) would surprise [ the scoffer. But what struck one as remarkable was the speech of Mr. H. Trimble, in which he mentioned that "the co-operative system is only in its in--1 fancy," etc., and "that there is not nearly \ sufficient co-operation." That gentle- ' man has never supported: the local fac--1 tory in the slightest degree, though a member of tht community, and if he is sincere in his remarks, we look to him becoming a supplier in the near future. I "The more milk to the factory the betI ter for all, as you are aware," says Mr. (J. Brown, our factory chairman, when 1 impressing loyalty to their concern up;on the shareholders, and the remark I equally applies to those who are non- } suppliers to any factory yet living in J the factory district. ' . r i By the way, Mr. Brown's remarks foreI shadowing some scheme dealing with dis- ] contented shareholders are in every way I justified, and if the various companies j adopt a joint idea as to factory area and j stick to it, it would be -a perfect GodI send, and many have,.now they see the drift of these' remarks, expressed the hope that something will '• be done' fu the , matter. —-.—-.• ■■ - •

Mr. H. Sole, resident on the Durham road for over 30 years, for many years a director of "'the'lSfake'tawa Co., has disposed of his highly-improved farm of 101 acres to Mr. X D'oUiinski for £3O per acre. Things do-move-sometimes! Mr. Sole, who is retiring frpm farming, is undecided as to where he. will definitely settle." ■'.''', ". The smiles of those" Wlio sell and the •art- worn look "of those, who-have to buy is much in evidence nowadays at cattle sales, and the: one held'at Matthews;, Bennett and Co.'s yards on Wednesday last was no exception. Stock, particularly heifers, *rr reaching prices that make one think oiie. is. handling lumps of gold. Xo wonder "townies" complain as to the price .of beef, etc.; and ffoni general indica'tions the condition of things 'has come to stay for a considerable time.' ■ ■-' .-.'■.,-.

September —the moiith- 'of sorrows everywhere for. the;: dairy man—was mis-1 erably wet." right 'i through: ' The only day in it that could be called a fine one was the 30th, and farmers.wre paw-wag-ging ait the improved appearance of the weather, which woiird -enable them to get ori with ploughing, etc., which was considerably delayed. But it is no use, evidently, trying to trust Taranaki weather, for, within .the, following 24 .hours, dirty weather set in again, and nothing in the planting line could be done until the 10th. Disheartening is no name for it! Coming on the top of losses in stock,'losses through-every ■ other cause except, shortness =of feed ' (arid a large number of' farmers ar'd sufferers in that ■ .respect) it is not conducive to making the farmer's view of things very rosy. Circulars showing the- position of the Fates.. freezing works harve"..been, sent : around amongst settlers'in the district asking for support for the Tontern, which is a farmers' co-operative 1 one, and I understand a good marry intend to take shares,' recognising that good competition is needed WithrcsjleCtto- the disposal of culls, etc. ' Considering the big-wigs of the Farmers' Ujiion say the'time is not opportune for tlie erection bf works at Moturoa, 'the-soroly other l option farmers have is to support- : the Tatea concern, which from its inception-lias been handicapped by smallrtes*. «.f—capital.. If farmers will but pull together, irrespective of locality (parochialism; must "git") this would indeed be £ "wonderful province, and the producer would, come fully into his own. . .. ■ . WAREA. Miss 1 Julian, of Hokiang.a," is' spending a week or two iikthis district!' :•' The local Sunday school children are holding jin undenominational. concert next week in aid:of prizles. The concert held last December 'was very successful, but this coming concert should excel all previous Ones-. ; • ' • Mr. J. Burgess purchased a purebred Ayrshire cow the other week. A rather exciting runaway took place last week, when-Mr, Tho's. Doyle's two fcorse bolted with the express from -the blacksmith's shop, but Mr. ,W.- Wilson promptly jumped on a horse that was in'the "shop an'd galloped after 5 the runaway -horses and caught them after they had gone about half a mile. Luckily no damage was done. " "

' OKATO. ■" On Saturday a meeting was lield in the Hempton Hall to cousi'ded the formation of a branch of a railway league. A fair number were present. The matter was well discussed, all being strongly in favor of the project for putting a ..railway along the coast. It was'unimously decided to form a branch of the railway league for Okato and district. The Rev. 0. Addenbrooke was elected secretary' of the Okato branch. A commit lee of five were appointed, viz., Messrs W. J. Gray, J. S. Fox, C. Andrews, W. H. Hawkins and Rev. C. Addenbrooke. The meeting elected Messrs W. J. Gray and C. Andrews as delegates on the general committee for the whole district to promote the objects of the league and to form part of a deputation to meet the 'Eight Hon. the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works... It. was resolved that members of the league subscribe 2s Gd towards the working expenses of the league. Mr. J. S. Fox was elected chairman of the project. All present at the meeting were enthusiastic in their support of the scheme, and sound business was talked in connection with the project, confidence and

determination characterising the discussion. The members present pledged themselves to use their influence in getting all settlers in the district to join the league.