TARIKI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143670, 14 December 1911, Page 8

TARIKI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) December 12.—T0-day, like a good many days lately, has been all-too .wet, and the farmers’ “Jot is not a happy ono,” as it is impossible to plough or work th© land in such weather. Another disadvantage of living m the country was emphasised by unpleasant weather conditions in connection with our educational system. Children attending the proficiency examination had notice to attend at Midhirst at 9 a.m. As they cannot travel by the mail, and the ordinary train does not leave till 9.30, this moans that they have to; get there as best they can. Several ot tho Ratapiko pupils had between eight or nine miles to travel in the pouring rain, and would not reach home again much before dark. This is inflicting an unnecessary hardship on the country and ono which could easily be obviated if those in authority would only take into consideration the distances many children have to travel to attend those examinations. The results of the second ballots are, of course, exciting a good deal of interest, and hopes of the Reform Party gaining more seats arc entertained by tho more sanguine. Locally very few farmers voted for tho Government candidate, and of those who did the majority would probably be of alien races, who seem to have more faith in IVardism than tho Britisher. Mr. J. B. Mine, M.P., received quite an ovation on his way through to Inglewood on the night of the 7th. the crowd evidently welcoming the chance of exercising its lungs to express its satisfaction at the result of the polling, and the noble station buildings fairly trembled to their .foundations’‘at the thundering crescendo of cheering which greeted tho successful candidate.