OKATO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 13028, 2 December 1905, Page 6

OKATO.

I- mm •>!»»• owl, t»«<r #•'.■>! »on<K'Jjt.) The- potato blight is playing sad havoc with most of the crops in thisdistrict. Spraying in most cases does not appear to act satisfactorily, ami if the later plantings are affected in the same manner, the tuber will be come a luxury very seldom seen on the dining table.

The milk supply is rapidly increasing ; 2000 gallons are being daily handled at the Kaihihi factory . The manager and several of th< suppliers of the Waitapaeu creamery met with, an "explosion of wrath," but fortunately the can lids were the only things to suffer any injury.

The Horse Fair was » well attended, but prices -..sdid iiok >riuV tb 'suit the majority of._vendors,' and— very little business was transacted.

The news of the- withdrawal of Mesrs Rothery and Gill from the election contest has created a good deal of surprise, and speculation is being indulged in as to the reason why. Being young l men of undoubted honesty jf purpose, it surely cannot bo said that they have been "got at" by chose in power. A great change has been noticed in the former since tht birthday celebration, and it appears that the promised turning over of a 'new leaf" has commenced in earnest : or again perhaps it may be. that the carcity of fat cattle and the almost daily hunt for "prim e^ stuff," and the Ute ruthless condemnation of his "exension and reduction proposal," has iffected Ms health to such an exten; hat only one course was left to pursue, that of retiring from the arduous york of an election campaign in fav>ur of the prohibition .candidate. The latter gentleman recognising that it was a "dead .cert" on tKe electors

oting almost to a- "man and wonan" for him, has decided; for the ;ake of causing some- little' excitement livd interest to be infused- in the reult/ to withdraw from 'the election

nd give his support to the Opposiion candidate. It may be staged to xllay all suspicions that the head of he Opposition Party, has not promis:J him a "big fat"'billet," *> r in an y ther way "paved" the way for his etiremont. -'