DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4333, 21 October 1921, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

(“Gazette” Staff Reporter.)

HIKUTAIA.

EUCHRE AND DANCE. A most successful euchre tournament and dance was held in the Hikutaia Hall on Thursday, for the Hikutaia tjueen, in aid of the Roman Catholic Church Fund. The attendance was exceptionally good, and dancing was maintained throughout the evening with great vim, the music . being very much appreciated, as s.up- | plied by Williams’ orchestra. During the evening Mr Alf. Alley announced- the results of the drawing for the lady’s gold chain and pendant, Mr Redpath (Thames) holding the winning numbej ; the second was a very nice cake, Mr A, Duncan (Hikutaia) being successful. A very nice supper was provided by the ladies, and before commencing the second part of the programme Mr Mark Ellis, father of the Hikutaia Queen, said he was more than pleased- with the result, and would like to thank the Hikutaia people and other friends for their generous'' support, and also the local branch of the Farmers’ Union for meeting them in reference to the date. The euchre tournament, supervised by Messrs W. J. Norton and I. M. Robinson, was well patronised. First prize (lady’s), Mrs J. Martin, second, Miss Frost; first, (gent’s.), Mr Den. Thomas, second. Mr F. Turner. STOCK SALE. 1 There was a good yarding of stoc« at the Hikutaia saleyards on Tuesday. Cattle in good condition were in good demand, and some very fair prices were realised. Good heifers, especially those of the Jersey type, sold well. Fat cattle and stores did not sell too well. There were only five pens of sheep, wethers realising £1 per head. The following prices were realised : Pigs: Stores £1 13s to £2 Bs, slip £1 2s 6d to £1 18s, weaners 17s to £1 4. Cattle : Good dairy cows £l4 to £l9 10s, others £8 t.o £l2 ; good heif» ers £lO to £l3„ others £6 10s to £8 10s; empty heifers up to £7 2s 6d; yearlings £2. 10s to £4’ 5s ; steers up to £8 7s.

NGATEA.

WORK AT THE FACTORY. \ —— RECORD BUTTER SHIPMENT. 'The Ngatea dairy factory is reported to be continuing to do particularly well, and it is being found that the milk supply to the. factory is always gradually increasing. Several improvements at the factory are -greatly facilitating the work and enabling the staff to cope with a far - greater quantity of! milk than hitherto. One labour-saving device has increased the value of the cooling system 100 per cent. The river water is being utilised for cooling purposes, and is proving very successful. The whole of the northern district of Ngatea is now supplying 1 cream to the factory per waggon. This is being found to be a decided improvement over the launch system. Work at the factory is steadily increasing. and each week sees a larger shipment of butter taken away. On Tuesday 677 Lexes of butter were sent away by the Piakd Shipping Co’s, steamer '“Oneroa,” This •is a record for any one shipment sent from Ngatea factory, the previous record being established on October 4, when’ 509 boxes of butter were sent away. Last week’s butter output was 1160 boxes. k._ THE BORE WATER. It had previously been questionable whether the bore water at Ngatea was suitable for factory purposes, but it has been tried and found to be satisfactory as far as butter is concerned.. Tt does not appear to have a detrimental effect on the steam boiler. , .A BUSY RIVER. The wharves ait Ngatea presented a very busy appearance on Tuesday. No , less than two steamers, six 'launches, and four punts were sfen in that vicinity. - TOO MUCH RAIN. The settlers in and around Ngatea, complain that they have had too much rain, and, strange to relate, they complain that food is too plentiful. For the large amount of rain that has fallen it has been astonishing how quickly the surface water had got away, and it speaks well of the drains. On some of the very IbW-ly-ing lands, however/ the water has been, unable to get awav In one instance the whole >f c r.e paddock was inundated. The river is reported to he a little higher than usual, hut there is no danger of flood. The roads have been affected, by rain, and on one bad portion a motor car was seen to be stuck axle deep. THE POST OFFICE. The Ngatea people appear to be dissatisfied with .'the Government’s -proposal to make a small addition to the present “6 x 8 dog box” —their post office. It is their contention that the business warrants a more up-to-date structure, PERSONAL. "Messrs Dr Vincent and V. Rowntree have been absent from Ngatea during the last couple of days, which they spent in Paeroa.

KEREPEEHI.

THE ’BUS SERVICE. A short time ago there was some talk in Paeroa about a motor service . commencing between Paeroa and Ngatea, via, Kerepeehi, but nothing definite has yet been heard on the Plains regarding this project. That the Kerepeehi people are intensely interested in the venture is evident by questions which are continually being put to Paeroa folk regarding it. It is the opinion in Kerepeehi that the service would more tttari pay for itself, and would.be a grant ass.et to the Paeroa business

people. The sutlers are wondering wha< is delaying the commencement qf the proposed service. GENERAL. The pastures around Kerepeehi are looking extremely green, and food is abundant. The Kerepeehi settlers appear to be more prosperous and are extremely optimistic regarding the prospects of the district... The township continues to grow, and three more dwellings are soon to be erected near the wharf. Rapid progress is being made in the construction of t.he new Bucyrus dredge, and the w.ork is being materially aided by the already constructed walking dipper dredge. THE DRAINS. The Lands Department reports that the drains are. in good condition, and have been able to cope with all the drains waters during the recent heavy rains. There has been a considerable quantity of water coming down, the rivers. There is such a quantity of water in the Puhanga canal that the water only rises a foot with the incoming tide and only falls a similar distance wifh the ebb.

TURUA.

THE TENNIS CLUB. At the annual meeting of the Turua Tennis Club ’he following officers were elected: President,, Mr R. W. Bagnall ; secretary and treasurer, M" J. L. Brownlee r~committ:ee, Messrs G, Courtney, J. Mules, G. McMillan, P Henry. J. Green, S; Bagnall;, G. Gray, •J, L. Brownlee; G. Spencer, C. Scott, and F. Bell. The formation of a ladies’ committee has been left to the lady members. Mr J, Mules has been elected chairman of the committee. It has been decided to improve the grounds. More wire netting is to he erected and one of the courts is to be tarred. The opening day has been left to the committee to arrange. Though practice has had a severe set-back by the many weeks of unsettled weather, the club has every reason to expect a very successful season. PERSONAL. Mr S. Honis returned on Monday after a prolonged stay at Hamilton, where he had been confined to his bed for some considerable time.

KOPUARAHI.

THE ROADS. ■ The Kopuarahi end of the Kere-peehi-Kopuar.ahi road is at present being remetalled and the northern half'has been completed. The t.ram . liri,es have been taken up at that end. and the work is at present being concentrated on the southern end' of the piece under repair. Work has now reached as far as the Orchard Road.

WAITAKARURU.

THE NEW WHARF. The new wharf at Waitakaruru which is being built at the junction of the Waitakaruru Stream and the Maukoro Canal is nearing completion. I*t is a sheet pile structure, and the earth filling has yet to be done before the wharf is ready for use.

PIPIROA.

TENNIS CLUB’S DANCE. The Hopai Tennis Club held its annual dance at Pipiroa last Thursday, and it proved a most outstanding success, The visitors included spme from practically all the neighbouring districts, including Ngatea. About 40 or 50 couples took charge of a good floor and danced to the excellent music rendered by Mr D. Fisher. One of the best of suppers was’ provided. Messrs D. Waite, R. Andrews, and V. J. Banks officiated in the capacity of M’s.C. ( It may be mentioned in! passing that the launch did not arrive back at Ngatea after the dance till 5 a.m.— one of the "pleasures” of dancing.