DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 242, 18 February 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents). • BAHOTU. Rain is urgently need. All the feed on the open lands about here is rapidly drying up under the spell of dry weather we have experienced, whilst most of the bush land has been subjected to a very fiery ordeal, and very little feed is to be seen there. Rain, and plenty of it, would soon put a different complexion on matters, as with the remarkable recuperative powers our land possesses the feed would soon spring up, where the roots have not been burnt, and where that has happened the quenching of the fires would enable fresh seed to be sown, irrespective of the feed question, the water-courses are drying up, and cattle, have to be driven some distance in many instances for water to drink. Some of those who are using water for driving milking machines find that that usually reliable power is failing them, and they have had to revert to hand-milking. The burning question at present is, When will it rain?

The milk supply has been greatly affected at the local factory, which* last week reverted to the manufacture of cheese. When cheese-making was started the output was 35, but it fell to 30 \vithin a week. The tests are low compared with other parts of Taranaki, ranging for the 38 suppliers from 3.5 to 4.3. The majority are below 4.0. The contractors for the post office building were making good progress, but they were delayed by want of timber. With three more "shoots" to go, the competition for the Rifle Club's aggregate shoot is in a very interesting state, and there are not many points between the leaders, so it behoves all interested to turn up for the next three shoots.

The Rifle Club will be well represented at tbe Tarnnnki meeting, and it is expected that the following will make the trip:—Messrs J. Colmcr, A. Baker, H. Baker, J. Shepherd, J. Guy, J. Christian, and Harrison. From these a team will be selected for the teams' match. Mr. A. Baker, who won the last competition, has had a long record as a rifle shot. He has been shooting for the past 30 years and has now in his possession a medal that he won in 1882 when a member of the Aloa Volunteers. The Pungarehu Dairy Co. is now manufacturing 36 841b eh'ocses daily. This is about the same as last year. The tests range from 3.7 to 4.4, the average being 4.05. The roads are in very bad condition at present, the dry weather causing the stones to kick up. The crusher is now working in the localit)', and a considerable length of the main road is being remetalled.

RATAPIKO. The Ratapiko school picnic and sports were held on the oth inst. in Mr. A. Fraser's paddock, and the weather being perfect, the attendance was a record one. The committee, Messrs I. Stackurski (chairman), F. Anderson (lion, sec), I. Johnson, G. Tipler, F. BrnkHt and J. Bieseik, are to be congratulated on the excellent sports programme, which was carried through without a hitch, all the events bringing large entries, and close finishes were the order of the day. Messrs I. Stackurski (as starter) and Messrs T. Gardener and H. Korr deserve every praise for the way they carried out their respective duties. The most interesting item was the mile steeplechase, the course laid oft' being a very severe one. Besides including one or two Swire fences there was a very formidable creek, the negotiation of which occasioned one or two "refusals," though eventually all contestants got safely over, but not without causing much amusement to the spectators, who all the world over keenly enjoy the water jump. The results of the events were as follows: 120 yds kindle race, T. Schrider 1. W. Rawlinson 2, T. Cross 3. F.gg-and-spoon race. .7. F laser 1, J. Bieseik 2 (eight entries). Ladies' nail-driving, Mrs Tipler 1, Miss Kuklinski 2. Married ladies' race, Mrs. Bint 1. Mrs. Meiers 2. Hop-step-and-junip. T. Bracegirdle (30ft ■3y 2 in) I, L. Walker 2, W, Rawlinson 3. Single ladies' race, Miss Kuklinski 1, Miss Lucy Bracegirdle 2. Mile steeplechase, W. Rawlinson 1, T. Schrider 2. In the tug-of-war, married v. single, the former were the better team, but the latter, owing, no doubt, to the presence of so many fair ones amongst the onlookers, by a superhuman effort succeeded in pulling their more powerful opponents over the line, thus scoring a if not well-deserved victory.

Tn the evening a. concert was helil in the schoolroom, which was also most successful, the items rendered by the schoolchildren bein<j particularly pood, reflectin" much credit on the headmistress I Mrs. Wilson) and her assistant (Miss Wells.), who had evidently spared no pains in gettms; up ithe , entertainment. and the way the youngsters responded was very gratifying both to parents and

teachers alike. The following was tho programme: Overture; song, "I have two little hands," school children; song, Miss I. Johnston; handkerchief song, school children; song, Mr. James (encored); spelling class, school children; song, Mrs. Carr ; song, Miss James; song, "Miss McLord (encored); maypole dance, children (encored); iong, "Ten little nigger boys," school children (encored); song, Miss McLord; dialogue, girls; song, Mr James; song, M. Stieller and M. Symona; song, "Good-night," school children. After the concert the floor was cleared and a most enjoyable dance ended the day and ran well into the next, Mr. J. Bieseik officiating as M.C., in his usual inimitable style.

URUTf. the Methodist Bush Bazaar wag held here last Wednesday and Thursday, Bth and 9th The weather was all that could be desired, The Rev. Cannell journeyed from ..New Plymouth to perform the opening ceremony, and in a few chosen remarks put himself on. good terms with the people that had'" cube together. A splendid lunch was-after-wards provided by Mr*. J. Smith, and attended to by her daughters, to which all the friends sat down and did ample justice. The drapery «tall was tastefully arranged with a large assortment of useful articles, and was in charge of Mrs. B. Mackenzie, Miss May Mackenzie, Mis* Irene Mackenzie and Miss Taylor Good business was done in this department, thrqugh the'untiring energy displayed by these enterprising ladies The toy stall was soon engaged in doiue cood Mary Smith, Miss Dolly Smith and Mis, Alice. The competitions, including-hat-rimming for the men and nail-drivinc for the gentler sex, wrc a 80uree o fe f great attraction and merriment. The shooting gallery was in the' capable hands of Mr. W. Hawke, and waXry successful. There was afco a shee? guessing competition, under the care of SVS <! i OP ,' Wh . ie . h C, '"' Ued mueh miniated and feverish excitement. The TvC a n * indl >; don , au ' a b * Mr ' Su "°". r*V W* ft . nd a fat lanib V Mr. H Lett, of Burnside. '

The hall was crowded to the doors each u.ght, and a most enjoyable musical programme was furnished by cabbie "lists of the district. On Thursdafthe bazaar was again opened, when friend* Wed rom Tongaporutu, Okau, Ta ngitu and I renui. A cricket match wa.s arranged in the f ernoon between frnti and rntu. when the visiting team werfThe

The programme provided on the la«t V evening extended far into the night and the enjoyment of the people waf »n »h -rhing and alluring that Ky?o~ej hack to their homes with a diepSS »«* ,„g of reluctance and that the had passed all too quickly. We alf?o£ v, m saying 'kapai" to the people of UruH and d.strict/as the Bush Mi Jon 3 Profl to the extent of flver fiTo n ftcr ■t'l the expenses have been met Thta "lacks" can kick goals " Ml ""-"■'-'greed to with acclamation.