DISTRICT NEWS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4811, 16 February 1925, Page 1

DISTRICT NEWS

PATETONGA. CREAM SUPPLIES. The present season to date has been an exceptionally good one for the dairy farmers of the Patetcnga- district. Although the quantity of cream received daily at the receiving depot is about 20001 b less than at the top of the flush, it still exceedis the maximum for the previous season, and, in common with the rest of the Plains, the quality is very good. To cope with the increase the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co. is increasing the size of its depot. in all probability herd-testing will bo commenced next season, sufficient cows having already been guaranteed. NOXIOUS WEEDS. The frequent representations of the Ratepayers’ Association concerning the spread of blackberries have at last apparently had effect. As a result of a visit by the noxious weeds inspector many settlers are now clearing their land. Nothing, however, has yet been done on the Government laud TENNIS CLUB. Tennis lias become very popular i;i Patetonga, but though the club did not enter for the Tennis Association's inter-club competitions several matches have been played during the •season, and the club will be well represented in coming competitions. On Thursday last a match was played with tiie Mamgawhero team, resulting in a win for Patetonga by 32 games to 71. Details of the scores arc as follows :—

Men’s-. Singles—M. O’Connor beat A. Paton, 9—3 ; D. Pike beat G. Paton, 9 —7 ;A. Buchanan lojst to A. McDonald, 7 —9 ;v. O’Connor beat J. Duffy, 9—5. Men Doubles : M. O’Connor and D. Pike beat A. and G. Paten, 9—3 ; A. Buchanan and V. O'Connor lost to A. McDonald and J. Duffy, 6—9 ; F. Plummer and G. Tapper beat B, Lyon and R. Wallace, 9—2. Ladies’ Singles: Mi<s O'Connor lost to Miss Duffy,' o—70 —7 ; Mrs Hunter lost to Miss Wallace, I—7. Ladies’ Doubles: Miss O’Conner and Mr,s Hunter.lost to Miss M. Wallace and Miss Duffy, 2 —7 ; Mrs Young and Miss Holden beat Miss J. Wallace and Miss Cumberland, 7—4. Combined Doubles : Mrs Young and F. Plummer beat. Miss J. Wallace and B. Lyon, 7 —g ; Miss Holden and G. Tapper beat Miss Cumberland and R Wallace, 7—2. During the early part of the present season the club borrowed money and had a second concrete court laid down. Various social functions were held to raise funds, and on Saturday last a fete was held at which over £3O was raised. This, together with the proceeds of a dance arranged for the evening, was expected to clear the club of debt. There are over fifty members, and a big proportion are active players. KAIHEBE. ROADING. The metalling pf the Ngarua-Kai-here road is proceeding steadily, the work now being completed almost to the Pouarua Road corner. The Lands Department is using locomotives to haul the metal from the wharf. SOCIAL CLUB FORMED. During the eleven or so years that the Kalhere school has been in existence some hundreds of pupils have passed through the institution, and a big proportion of these are still in the district, A few weeks ago a social club of ex-pupils was formed with the idea of holding an annual reunion and promoting dances, picnics, etc. However, the restrictions on public gatherings imposed by the Health Department have prevented anything being done. FLAXGROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. A suggestion that a flaxgrowers’ association be formed was made at a meeting of Ngarua Road settlers at the residence of Mr W. E. Suckling on Saturday evening. Mr T. McLoughlin presided over a fair attendance. Mr G. Tizard, the convener, explained that at the present time those settlers who had areas of flax were at the .mercy of millers, who purchased the leaf when they liked and paid what they liked for it. The millers could not be blamed, as there was & great deal of flax offering, but no guarantee pf a continuity of supply. JThus the millers were loath to increase the size of the mill. Growers were acting independently, and accepting kw' prices to get their flax cut. With a, growers’ association it could be ascertained what flax was available, and perhaps a guarantee given, so that the present mills; could be increased in size or other millers induced to set up in the district. The question of a co-operative mill could receive consideration. There was, or shortly would be, sufficient flax within a small radius to keep several mills going. Other matters which the proposed association could take up included the education of growers in the best methods of treatment and cutting, the blackberry menace, and the protection of growers generally. The terms under which flax leases were granted by the Government could be watched.

The matter was discussed at length, and finally it was decided that the meeting island adjourned while further information was obtained.