DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 599, 14 January 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

BOMBAY. (A Correspondent). The annual picnic in connection with the Presbyterian Sunday School took place at Mr Geo. Ingram’s bush, adjoining his icsidcnce, on Now Year’s Day. Owing to the protracted harvest season, a number of families were unable to be present, but notwithstanding this fact, there was a large gathering of church people and their friends. Children’s races and games occupied the major portion of the day, interspersed with refreshments, and a couple of events for the older young folk. At an interval, the Rev. R. Nixon presented the prizes won by the Sunday School children for merjt during the past year. Cheers were cordially given for Mr and Mrs George Ingram (the latter being Sunday School superintendent), and for the Rev. S. Nixon. Everyone, especially the children, spent a most delightful and enjoyable day.

RAMARAMA. (Own Correspondent). A very enjoyable social, held under the auspices of the Ramarama Hunt Club, to farewell Mr and Mrs West and Mr W. Hughes, took place on Monday night, December 27th. Vocal items and dancing was the order of the evening, and the large number present spent a very pleasant rime. Songs were given by Mrs George, Miss Barker and Miss Ballard, and Mr F. Barker, who also gave a. very interesting monologue. After a sumptuous supper had been handed around, Mr D. Lynch, in an appropriate speech, eulogised the work that Mr West had done for the Hunt Club as secretary, and that of Mrs West as bqing most willing to assist at anything that had been hold in the district, and asked them to accept, as a small souveneir, a silver cigarette case, suitably inscribed, for Mr West, and some beautiful Doulton ware for Mrs West. Mr Lynch then asked Mr W. Hughes to accept a leather wallet, inscribed, as a token of frinedship and regret at his leaving the district. He spoke of the friends that “Billy,” as he termed Han, had made during his stay in Ramarama, and hoped that wherever he went his wallet would be well filled. Mr West replied on behalf of himself, Mrs West and nephew, and said that whatever they had done in the district had been done with a free heart, and" they were very sorry to be leaving after seven years residence. “For they are jolly good fellows” and “Old Lang Sync” were then heartily sang, and dancing was resumed to the early hours of the morning. Messrs 11. Dale and G. Garbolina acted as effluent M.C.’s, while Messrs Barker and Brown (piano and violin) supplied good music. Mr Barker played the accompaniments. Messrs A, Sncdden and Armiger have taken over the business from Mr J. M. West, and arc in full swing of the business and post office. The services of the capable assistant, Miss Barker, has been retained by the new firm.

WAIAU PA, GENERAL NEWS. (Own Correspondent). The season has been particularly good for crops. The oat crop in some instances have gone up to four tons per aare. The hay crops have also been, very heavy in__this district. ~.Milking" retuTiTS, Tn vnt. dry weather, have also been un,usually high. There has been a seq-ious shortage of labour in the district, and farmers had to overcome the difficulty by turning to and helping each other in getting in their crops. Tl>,s was rendered more difficult on account of the extra heavy yield this season. Public Hall. Arrangements are in hand to arrange a bazaar shortly, in which the object is to liquidate the debt on the Pu'bKc Hall. The work is being enthusiastically taken up, especially by the ladies. Clearing Sale. A clearing sale, held at Mr Hattaway’s property, proved very successful', cattle reaching a good figure.

Roadiny, The settlers are anxiously looking forward to having the road as far as tiic post office put down in metal before winter. It is expected that the balance wfU. also be completed as soon as possible. A Holiday Reseat.

.Waiau I Pa is assuming growing poularity as a holiday resort, quite a number of people being camped on ,the beach. The high bides lately have; brought in abundance oC lish. The curlew, a migratory hir'd, has appeared ,ijn swarms again. It is claimed Limit at a certain period every year those birds congregate at the North Cape, and, when all are ready, fly seaward to other lands. It is stated that from New Zealand they ■journey to Siberia, returning the following season. Another attractive feature at Waiau Pa this season is tiiat the beaches arc literally covered with thousands of black swans.