MANAIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8274, 21 September 1888, Page 2

MANAIA.

LFBOM 008 OWN COBREBPONDENT.J September 20. —Mr J. Hayes, of the Manaia Road, had his house burned down last Saturday night. Tbe whole of the family were away at the time — Mr Hayes ia New Plymouth, Mrs Hnyep, with the younger children, visiting a married daughter at Otakeho. One of tho sons, | who was left in charge, and was about the place all da}*, went to spend tbe night at a camp of buahfellere about a mile away. Mr Briggs passed tbe house about 10 p.m. on his way home to Manuia, and it appeared all right then, but about 11 o'clock the fire was neon at Tapp's place, &omo two miles away. Of course everything was burned. Tbe house was a large one, but little better than a shell, the iaeide not being quite finished. It whs, however, insured for £250, and tho furniture for another £50, though at tho last valuation for the Property Tax the house was only valued at £100. It is reported that the directors of the Manaia Dairy Company have sold the factory to Mr J. C. George, of New Plymouth. Nothing definite is known yet, but it is stated that the price is £500. The directors have not yet, however, called v meeting of shareholders to confirm the special resolution empowering them to sell, which was passed at the last meeting. A good deal of dissatisfaction exists amongst the shareholders and milk suppliers, it being thought that a bettor price might have been got had the directoro not been so anxious to get quit of their liability to the Bank. If the price stated is correct, it simply meiins that the whole of tbe shareholders' money, about £1200, and n lar^e sum owing to milk suppliers in gone, whioh is ce'tainly not very pleasant to those who have invested ia tho affair. It is quite evident that something will have to be done to ensure better treatment of dairy produce on board tho direct steamers if tho Home markets are to be of aj»y use to the colony. Under present circa to stances, notwithstanding every caro ia tho making and packing, there is no guarantee that either butter or cheese will reach Home in satisfactory condition. Mr Milton, who lately left Manaia for England, bought butter largely last year from the Manaia Company, and cheese from the Otakeho Company. On that occasion the batter turned out more satisfactorily than the cbeese. Tbis year before leaving ho bought a considerable quantity of cheese, and sent it on, going himself " via Suez." In a private letter just received here, he says : — "You will be soriy to kuow that the whole of th« cheese shipped in the Tainai was completely spoiled. You remember Mr Scales could not get tho whole throa?h in that steamer, and part was sent per 6.8. Ruapehu, which arrived in splendid condition. We estimate the loss at £172 2s lOd. I cannot use language strong enough to describe the bad condition. I saw Shaw Saville and Company's manager, but he refuses to make any allowance. He relies upon the fact that the 79 cases of cheese were conveyed in cool chambers, and that sbippets cannot reasonably expect them to insure the delivery of all goods ia good and sound condition. My argument wab that the cheese could not have been in the cool chamber, and if it wero the cool chamber must have been the worst part of tho ship. The Ruapehu had some from Otakeho, with my 41 cases, in Bplendid coadition. You may imagine what my disappointment must have been, as you know whit I thought of tha cheese at Maniaa. If shippers are to be subjectod to this scandalous treatment the trado ia duiry produce from Now Zialan i must «oon collapse." If thd Government were to take this rtiHtter np, ond take steps tn insure dairr produce getting proper treatment after it left onr shores it would be a great deal better than throwing a-vay money in sending so-called dairy experts round tho country. Our farmers want very little teaching bow to make batter. What they want to know is how to sell it. A very larcro area is being shut up for cocksfoot e;ra3B seed this year, and it is to be hoped the price will be better than last, as in very many cas a H funs'iia and grass seed are the onlj possible products of some of the bußb settler*. The recent fine wenther hns given thinss throughout tho bush district quite a Bpnrt ; tho roads nre drying up very fast, and timber is being laid down on quite a number of sections with a view to building thissprin?. The rPßult of the election for five Commissioners for the Mnnaia Town District has been the return of all the old members with the exception of Mr. Jas. McCutchan, whose place has been taken by Mr. Philip McCarthy, the members elec ed being Thos. Bayly, jun., John Gilmonr, jun., Chas. Lewis, Philip McCarthy, nnd Ja««. R. Stewnrt. There wno not nny opposition. Mr. McCatchan's retiremont is n matter of regret, as he was a most useful member, and will be greatly missod from the Board. Mra. Thos. Dawson ia nt ill a great sufferer owing to tho accident sho met with last 6iimmer when goin; to the "Falle," and is still unable to make any use of her foot.