DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4456, 21 August 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

NGATEA. TENNIS CLUB. A meeting of local tenhis enthusiasts was held on Thursday evening to form a tennis club. There was a fair attendance, and Mr W. G. Hay? ward was voted to the chair- Mr R. E. Jamieson was elected secretary pro tem.

It. was decided that a club be formed, and the following officers were elected: Patron, Mr T. W. Rhodes, M P.; president, Mr W. G. Hayward ; vice-presidents, Messrs S. Coppins, E. Walton, W. McDuff, C. W. -Shultz, Ha!lyburtoji Johnstone, T. McClean, and H. E. H. Harvey ; general committee, Mesdames Mellor, Harvey, Cpppir.s, Vincent, Walton, Hendren, Misses RHilfoid, E. Hilford, V. McDuff, M. P. Smith, M. Norris, E .Lux, Rev. R. G. Hemmings, Messrs E. Buckley, E. Coppins, R. E. Jamieson: executive committee, Misses E. Hilford, R. Hilford ,V. McDuff, Rev. R. G. Hemmnigs, Messrs E. Coppins, R. E. Jamieson ; hon. secretary and treasurer, Rev. Hemmings; grounds steward, Mr Jamieson. The annual subscripted was fixed at 5s for ladies and 10s foi men.

STOCK SALE. There was a good yarding mostly dairy stock, at a stock sale held at Ngatea by the N-Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd. The following prices were realised : Dairy cows £5 to £ll, 3-year dairy £7 to £lO, 2-year dairy heifers £4 to £B, empty heifers £2 5s to £3 10s, bulls 5s to £4 4s. A number of sheep were also yarded. Ewes sold at 14s, and hoggets brought from 9s to 14s 9d. CLEARANCE SALE. A large number pf buyers from all parts of the surrounding district attended a clearance sale at Mr W. Dunwoodie’s farm at Hopai. The sale was conducted by the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency, and was a successful one, bidding being spirited. The cows were showing a lack of feed, and considering their condition good prices were realised. Dairy cows brought from £5 to £l4 ss. A number of farm horses realised from £22 to £3O, and a hack was disposed of at £7 10s. Sows in young were knocked down at 2% guineas to 5 guineas, while yearling heifers brought £3 Is. CHIEF POSTMASTER. Mr R. H. Boyd, chief postmaster of Thames district, visited Ngatea at the end of last week to inspect the new post office. During his short stay he was the butt of a little raillery regarding the small size pf| the new building. While talking of the little new building it might be mentioned that the new furniture was recently moved from the wharf into the new office, and it was found that the space was barely large enough even to pack the fittings and furniture in it, VALEDICTORY. At a dance held in the Ngatea Public Hall on Saturday evening a presentation of a travelling trunk was made to Miss D. Faulkner, who is leaving the district for Auckland tomorrow. Th® spokesman, on. behalf of Miss Faulkner’s many friends, expressed regret at her departure and referred tp her popularity among those with whom she was acquainted. The presentation was being made as ,a token of the high regard with which she was held. Mr A, McConnell, replying for Miss Faulkner, briefly expressed thanks for the mark of esteem and for the kind remarks. The dance was a successful one. The music was provided by Mrs Potter, who was assisted with extras played by Mrs Hendren. Mi - S- Phillips v.'as M.C.

TURUA. DAIRYING PROSPECTS. After the recent warm rains the grass in the Turua district is coming away well and there is every indication of a good season. There have been remarkable increases in supplies to the local factories and it will not be very long before the season is in full swing. If the carting of cream over the Turua roads is as heavy as last season, it will be imperative that there should be better surfaces. The improvements to the Piako road will greatly facilitate the delivery of cream in that area. Slight improvements have also been made to the Hauraki road. While speaking at a recent public function, Mr J. Bennett (chairman of the Town Board) predicted. that if the roads were not improved the farmers would have to cart their cream through the paddocks to get it to the factories; but the recent improvements to Turua roads shoqld not necessitate the settlers adopting these measures.

Arrangement's are being made by the Hauraki Plains Dairy Company to hold its annual meeting at the end of the inonth. The meeting will be held during flic day, and it is in-t tended to hold a social gathering in th? Victoria Hall in the evening. COST OF ELECTRICITY. A Turua farmer recently drew a “Gazette” reporter’s attention to the fact that with the charges the Thames Valley Power Board proposes to make foi' the sue <f the power, milking wi'l be cheaper by the present benzin” driven engines. Besides the cost of the necessary benzine being less than the cost of the elect, ic current required, there is in addit.on the expense of installing an electrically driven plant and other essentials. The Turue settler who voiced these remarks says he has written to the Power Board on the subject.

WAITAKARURU. FOOTBALL DANCE. The Waitakaruru Football Club held a successful dance on Wednes 1 - day evening. There were a fair number present, and dancing was epjoyable to the music of Mr R. Hunter. Mi W. Mclnnes was MC. The proceeds are to be devoted to the club’s travelling fund, calls on wnich have been rather heavy this season; 'A further effort for the fund is being made in the shape ofi a ball, which is to be held on September 8.