DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 200, 28 September 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

(From Uur Own OAKURA. The weather is still proving a little bit troublesome. One or two days iine, and then more rain, and still mo/0 storms prophesied. T wish those weather prophets would just keep quiet for a tew week- or el*e (urn it on fine. The laM iew days nave been very warm, and .iltlunigh this last week we have had a fair amount of rain, on the whole it has been good growing weather, and should he!p the youiig gra?s on considerably and help to till the milk-can up a bit. Socials and rillc-shooting have been the order of the day. Two socials have

been hold at Kctru'lately. and tln> last one. held a week ago, was a success. Tf was given liy the owners ami employees of tlie Korn sawmill as a farewell social to three of tlie employees wlio were going away. Tile hall "was decorated most artistically, and reflected great credit 071 the decorators. Mr. Wilfred Mace acted as M.C., and M'\ (iood supplied the music, which was a'l that could be desired. The hall was simply packed, and dancing was kept up until a very early hour.

. Tlio Kuitake Killes have held several practices Jatolv, and last Saturday week fired a match against Oka to, and were beaten by nine points. There is some talk of a combined Okato and Kaitake team going to Waitara to fire against a Waitara team, lmt T do not know \yhotlier or not it will ever eventuate. The Ouards are also expected to visit lis. and it Is to be hoped our rilleni«n will fret in a bit of solid practise anl not get 100 bad a drubbing. On Thursday night a general meeting of the club was held in the hall, wni'ii alxnit ten members were present, Mr. Wilfred liaru was appointed president I m plae<. of Mr. Carpenter, who has loft the district. The secretary also intimated that as he had no time to attend meetings aml practices he would tender his resignation. This was held over for the present. A few new members are to he sworn in, and it is to be hoped [ that, with new blood, new energy wiM be infused into the club, and that oil hands will liven up and attend more strictly to practices and meetings. Knnds an* rather low, and there is soma talk of holding a social the night t,h> Guards come out, to rai.se money for ammunition, etc.

Mr. Hotliory, from Opunake. has taken, over the local hotel, and seems to luvo 'stirred a little life up, and as both he and Mrs. Kothery arc gonial. goodhoarted people, they should be fairly well patronised. A man ImS to have a big heart to take on hotels now. hi Uiesu times of prohibition and reduction he does not know from one election to another quite what is going to happen.

WAREA. Iho sulwcrl tion list that has been in circulation in this? district for some time for the purpose of securing an artificial li><r a lad is being supported by most in iihe district. The list now has clof;c\ on 25 names on it. Mr. Charles Corl>ett left liere on Monday morning for Auckland, where lie ig to be Quarried, \

Messrs. J. and A. Ducker, our local aawmillers, left here on Monday, en route for Auckland, where they will fapend a short holiday. The ladies of this district are making great preparations' for their hall, which i3to be held on Thursday night. The music will be of the best, being supplied by Mrs. A. George's orchestra. Servant;-Major Dodd paid a visit here on Thursday last to put our local riflemen through their parade, so as to give tkem a chance of securing cheap ammunition, hut none except the secretary turned out, the reason being that there are too many cows to milk at this time of the year, if he were to pay his visit during the winter lie could depend upon getting a good muster. The sergeant-major inspected the proposed site -of the new rang# on Mr. W. llevi'U's projierty, opposite the store and only a few minutes' walk from the main road. The old range H too far out of the way, is in between .two rows of hills/, and otherwise unsuitable owing to the wind that is always blowing up and across the gullies. The sergeant-major passed the new range, and the club will shift quarter* as soon as ever they can.

A meeting of the school committee wa*' held on Saturday night to open tenders for the fence on Burgess road. There were three in for the work, and Mr. R. J. War-burton's tender of ,C 7 His was accepted.

The directors of the local dairy company met on Saturday night to consider lb,, bolter ofVers up to ih<> end of October. Throe firms put in for the output, and Mr. Newton King's price, ll'/jd per lb, was accepted. Mr. 1\ A. Putt is making progress with his shed, which he iy erecting for the installation of Ridd milking machinery, and lie will soon have everything ready for putting in the plant. Mr. McDonald is getting 011 slowly with bis work. He has nearly completed the water-race, and is now waiting for the carpenter to come along to make the water-wheel. He is installing an L.K.O. plant. The past week wis fine and sunny up to Saturday afternoon, when rain set in about three o'clock. The rivers were flooded to a considerable height, being higher than for a good many years'. All the low flats along the rivers were under water 'on Sunday morning, and , large logs are stranded all along the banks.

OKATO. The Okftto Defence Rifle Club hold tlioir ball on Thursday evening. Although the night was the finest we have had for months, very few turned out to the function, owing to the number of cows that there nve now to milk. Also, a number must have been hanging back for the event of the season, the ladies' ball, on October 7th. Nevertheless, a most enjoyable time was spent. The music was supplied by Mr. D. Patterson, and Mr. Owen Penwarden made a capable M.C. About midnight a most enjoyable supper was handed round and much appreciated.