RANGITIKEI ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 58, 2 December 1926, Page 18

RANGITIKEI ITEMS

M arton, December 1. A link with tho early associations of the settlement of Rangatikei was severed on Sunday, when Mrs. Sarah McCoard, wife of Mr. W. J. McCoard, of Mangaweka, passed away at her residence. The late Mrs. McCoard was 59 years of age, and was the first white woman to set foot in the Mangaweka district. She is survived by her husband, four sons, and four daughters. To-day members of the Main Highways Board, who are on a tour of inspection of North Island counties, visited Rangitikei, and, along with Mr. A. G. Simpson (chairman of the council), and Mr. S. A. R, Mair, engineer, they made a comprehensive tour of local highways. In spite of the wet weather experienced lately, most of the big shearing sheds in this district have "cut out.” Those farmers who were a little later in starting, however, have wisely decided to suspend operations until the wintry conditions are past. The Egmont Box Company’s mill at Ohutu, near Taihape, has been closed down after running for 18 years. Several other mills in the districts north of Taihape are doing likewise, the contributing causes being the scarcity of workable bush and also the competition of imported timbers. It has been definitely decided to inaugurate a daily motor service between apicr and Taihape, connecting with the north and south expresses at the latter place. . Through this service travellers from Napier to towns north of Taihape will be saved much valuable time, as the trip between the two places takes but 4| hours. The Rangitikei Caledonian sports take place at Huntervllle on February 2. The Taihape. and Ohakune gatherings both take place on January 1. What is described as the most successful evangelistic mission ever held in Hunterville is now being conducted in the Presbyterian Church by Rev. John Bissett. Each evening he addressed large congregations.