WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144851, 1 December 1915, Page 6

WAITARA.

cr.au oon own ooKsnaroNDeni, November 30.—The weekly meeting of the North Taranaki Patriotic League was held on Monday nigltt. A deputation from tho Seaside improvement Society waited ui>on the committee, headed by the Mayoress, who said that the society would like the Patriotic League to join with them in arranging for a big day on tho beach in the third week in January, the proceeds to be divided between mo Seaside Society and the Patriotic hand.

The Mayor thought it was the duty of the committee to give what assistance it could lor the opening day of tho Seaside improvement. Society and join forces with them. A sub-commuteo was appointed, consisting of tuo Mayor, Messrs. Ronnie, Johns, Eraser, Nosworthy, Ewens and Rev. Harrison, to go into .the matter conjointly witii the committee of the beaaido improvement Society.

A letter was read from tlie secretary of tho Taranaki Mar Eunds Association, malting various suggestions in regard to Hie work of the league. Too Mayor pointed out tnat nearly all or trio suggestion made m tho loiter had already been carried out by iNortn Taranaki; in 1 act ne niigfil say tuai Uioy were m lar ahead of any of the leagues m Taranaki.

hie letter suggested that the draft of me rules set up hy the association should ho signed on behalf of uio league, hut it was ueciucti mat before signing a cuiumiueu should ho appointed to go eareiiuly mio alterations mat had been matte m mem.

Mr. 1. A. Andrews bauihu in £G 14s 6d, tnc net proceeds oi Uic ouleriainincut given at tiuuuugi mat ween. Air. iteuimi biougm up tnc matter of a carnival, lie tUouglit mat mo tune Pad come wlieii soiueuuug siiouid te done in the direction ot ai ranging lor a big event by winch to raise a substantial sum in Waitara. Ho was in favour of a carnival with carnival queens. T'ne Mayor expressed himself strongly ot opinion Uiat the league shomd lake steps to raise a Jump sum. Uremn aud other branches had given them a lead.

It was decided that a carnival week should be. arranged to be held not later tlinn the 'heginniug of March. Suggestions were called for, and tho question of running a carnival queen was discussed, it being • pointed out that where a number ot queens were being run it was tho particular queans’ committees that did tho work and arranged events lor their own particular candidate and created tho interest aud incidentally raised the fluids. Eventually it was decided that a committee consisting oi tho chairman, Messrs. Rennie, Buchanan, Nosworthy, Andrews, Johns, Were and Uallom go into tho matter aud report to the next meeting. It was decided that all available funds bo remitted to Wellington. It was resolved that the Ladies’ Committee bo voted fund* lor carrying out their work in connection with tho supplying of housewives and hold-ajls. By the kindness of Mr. and Airs. Haseier a considerable number of water colour paintings, some of which are deemed valuable, were given to tho Patriotic Committee for the purpose of raising funds. At tho last meeting it was decided that Mr. Hasoler should bo consulted as to tho value to bo placed on each picture. Mr. Haseier had expressed his willingness to do this, although he could not fairly claim to judge of thoir commercialvalue. He suggested that they'should ho placed ou view in Now Plymouth, as he believed there were some people thore who would bo glad to buy some of them.

The secretary said that some time ago the Uruti branch committee, wished the amount of their soldiers’ day to be credited to them in the league’s books, but they wore unable to do this as the money had not passed through the league’s account. He had, however, since received a cheque lor the amount from the Victoria League, with a request that it should be credited to Cruti, and forwarded to the Victoria League. The difficulty was thus overcomp by simply exchanging cheques. A letter had been received stating that it had been decided that the now branch should bo called tbo Lepportou and Sentry Hill Fund. Permits bad been given for entertainment* being arranged by the Misses AAheatley, by Mrs. Denton, and by Airs. Lcpper. Owing to the books of tbo league being in the hands of the auditor the usual weekly list of contributors has not been available.

December I.—Next Saturday there is to he another patriotic mart. It is not the intention to make a. house-to-house canvass, nut the Ladies’ Committee are relying upon those who are able and willing to help in any way to do *o. Garden produce of any kind is certain of a ready sale. The children of the Convent School are giving their entertainment to-mor-row (Thursday) night in St. John’s Hall. I hear that the dresses are very dainty and there is every reason to expect it most interesting evening’s entertainment by the little ones, assisted by the big ones. . Grain crops throughout the AVaitara district have not made good growth this season. After sowing, the bird pest becamo very bad, all the grain having boon destroyed in many paddocks, especially whoro the land was badly tilled. It may be worth mentioning that in the course of conversation, a prominent grain grower said'that tho bird pest was going to be very bad unless systematic poisoning was resorted to, farmers have poisoned heavily when grain was coming up. Farmers will require to give their ground good tillage. drill deep, harrow lightly after drilling, and roll well with a Cambridge roller to make the ground firm, so that tho bird will not then be able to pull tho grain; this will at the same time ensure a better crop. AAheat is not so promising as last year, owing to too ranch rain. Oats, however, are doing much better, and many p„addooks promise a good yield. Mr, G. V. Tate and the Jcnnins Bros, have a considerablp area of wheat and oats, which are looking fairly well., Grass is plentiful throughout tho district, hut too much rain and cold winds have made the farmers complain all round of a falling-nfT in milk. Almost oveiyone complains of the potato blight; in fart it may safely be asserted that this is

the -worst season for many years for all garden produce—birds, snails and the weather combining to make it so. The weather is still bad" for getting the ground ready for the turnip crop, and farmers ara likely to have an anxious time, if the weather does not improve, as hay time and the harvest will soon bo here, and labour is scarce now and is going to be more so. .

From Wednesday next Tho Big Store, Waitara, will bo a children’s paradise. A . cordial invitation is extended to parents, guardians and friends of children to bring them to the Xmas Fair and see the wonderful display of toys, dolls, presents and playthings. Admission tree.*