EGMONT VILLAGE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144783, 13 September 1915, Page 5

EGMONT VILLAGE.

FROM OUR OWX CORRESPONDENT. Sept. 10. The weather lately has been all that one could wish, with paddocks looking green and fresh, and so mild has been the winter that some farmers are finding a difficulty in feed-ing-off their turnips, owing to the early growth of grass. Should the equinoctial gales, which are due shortly, prove less boisterous than usual, farmers in this district should experience a record season for milk production. There is one serious drawback with which many farmers here have had to contend, and that is the red-water ‘epidemic, which is depleting many of the herds here, and in cases which do not prove fatal many weeks must elapse before the beast is back to,its normal condition. The second meeting of factory.suppliers called to discuss the question of allowing non-suppliers to retain their shares lapsed, as did the first, for want of a sufficient number turning up to form 8 quorum. Mr. Forrester is removing to New Plymouth, haring leased, with right of purchase, the homestead portion of Ins farm to a Mr. Robinson, from Wanganui. Mr. J. Thomason is also shifting on to the farm which Mr. Hoskin has left this gentleman also having gone to New Plymouth. -Mr. V. George has I also removed to a suitable residence 1 near the electric power station, from ] which he can conveniently reach his work at the Smart Road creamery. ' Mr. G. Marsh has been having some trouble lately with his dam across the Mangoraka Stream, the recent freshes having undermined the bank at one side, thus allowing the water Ur get below working level, Danis othei than concrete ones in these rivers, draining as they do large scopes of country and liable to sudden and turbulent flooding, are seldom satisfactory. . Despite the fact that the price or flour has fallen considerably, the bakers still continue to charge famine prices for bread. The price of butter at the local factory is evidently being kept up out of sympathy with. the bread, the present price being that fixed, at tlie beginning of winter. . What should have been the school committee meeting proved a failure owing to the gentleman who is chairman not putting in an appeaiance. His apologies next morning tor Ins delinquency were profuse and suave enough to move even the most stonyhearted of his fellow-committeemen to forgive him. . , , , A very pleasant l»me was spent last Thursday evening at Mr. W. Olsons, when a fair number of friends met to pass away the fleeting hours with cards and music. After partaking of a goodly supper kindly provided by Mrs. «• Olson, to which all present aid full justice, Mr. A. Morton Panted to the guest of the evening, Mr. Albert Taylor, who is leaving for the trout shortly, a wristlet watch as a mark of esteem from his many friends here. Mr. Taylor, in returning thanks, said that whenever he had occasion to look at the time it would remind him of the happy time ho had spent there that evening among so many well-wishers. _ Some of the cows here are coming in in -good heart —at least, that is the opinion of one welLknown local gentleman who was assisting a farmer to drive a cow and calf home. All w e nt well until a muddy culvert was, reached and this tender-hearted sport picked up the calf to carry it over, his trusty dog Jim showing his appreciation pf his master’s humanity by harking joyously. This proved too much for the fond mother, who with a bellow of anger turned and charged. To drop that call and take to his heels was the work ot a second, the faithful dog who was the cause of all the trouble gambolling, alongside, quite enjoying the spectacle of ms master using his legs to such good advantage, while, at every angry snort the panting fugitive put in an extra spurt in order tokeep ahead ot those tossing horns. Never did hare hard set by hounds display such desire for safety'or dodge and twist with so much energy as this perspiring sprinter, who bv tho speed and length of stride with which ho covered the ground .would have made a cross-country champion turn green with envy;. Coining at last to a welcome fence, he scrambled over and flung himself down to, meditate on the deceitfulness of things in general and cows in particular. t