DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

•SOUTII TARANAKI.

(By a Correspondent.)

Winter is with us, and feed is none ino plentiful, hut it in some satisfaction that the shortest day lias arrived. i-abor lwtks as if it will be scarce for (lie coming dairy season, and ladies are offering their services for factory work. I In Mid ihat two young ladies are goiiifJT to enter the Kaponga dairy factory mv:t season.

It pies without saying that the casual employed for cheese making is paid on too low a scale, and an advance of 10s per week would he a step in the right direction.

Hotels are changing hands constantly, or. rather, the purchase of the licenses. When wiil both parties, liquor and antilii|Uor, meet around the table and look at tilings sensibly? Three years conies too often to educate the public mind, and enough money has been spent by the parties at any election this last nine years to build an hospital and staff and maintain it for the use of Taranaki's wounded soldiers. It is ridiculous to hear such and such a country hotel has been sold at hundreds of an advance since the license vote was taken in December last.

Buyers 'of young stock are starting to operate from the back country, and a large purchaser from Whangamomona has just finished buying several hundreds.

Fat sheep are being keenly hunted after by buyers, but there are several lines of fat bullocks waiting for buyers, which are slow in coming along because of the muddle that has been made by the scarcity of insulated ships. That very staple factory, called Riverdale, has paid, so far this season, the nice price of Is 4d per lb for butterfat, and will pay a bonus In September next on the top of this.

AUROA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Undoubtedly the most successful fixture ever held in this district for a one day's muster took place on Wednesday, June 16th, when a novelty sports gift auction and a basket social eventuated. The weather, although very squally for several days previously, broke very fair on Wednesday morning, and the public in general rolled up in very fair numbers, and arose most, gallantly to the occasion, for which they had assembled. The novelty sjiorta comprised some very interesting events, such as a menagerie race, wheelbarrow race, ladies' driving competition (which was a lady driving a gentleman blindfolded amongst bottles; needless to say, the bottles were empty), a ladies' threelegged race, and a ladies' potato race. The horse events carded included: Best school pony, novice jumping, and a pace race (walk, trot, and gallop). There was also a class for best milk-cart horse (for which Mr. F. W. Dill, of Otakeho, had kindly donated £3 3s), but owing to not enough inducement being offered the committee approached Mr. Dill, and !ie consented to deleting the event from the programme, giving the prize money to the fund.

There was considerable amusement mingled with a sprinkling- of anger, caused through the mock court, which was also in pidcnce on the grounds, and again in the evening at the social. Mr. J. Russell, of Manaia, was on the bench, and lie so ably filled the position that some folks thought their last hour had come. Mr. R. W. J. McNeil, for the first part of the afternoon, donned the helmet, after which it was transferred to Mr. Hyndman, of Manaia. Both gentlemen assisted by Gate, a 15-stone Maori, filled, the bill to perfection, some very interesting and appropriate arrests being made. The committee, evidently, were far-seeing in connection with the gift auction, for they had a yard erected in which to put the stock when it arrived, and it was packed to its utmost with calves, heifers, sheep, pigs, and a goat, which was christened "Bill the Kaiser." There were also fowls, ducks, hams, jam, potatoes, fancywork, pictures, Maori curios, and, last but not least, a beautifully worked silk Italian flag presented by Mrs. Bawcliffe and Miss Mowbray which realised the handsome sum of £32 10s on the grounds and £l9 5s in the evening, and was tinally purchased by Mr. R, Morrissey (of the Loan and Mercantile Company of Hawera) for £l, who, amidst applause, presented it back to the donors. Mr. Morrissey wielded the hammer during the auction, and in his opening remarks appealed most feelingly to his audience, which led up to him saying as the saleproceeded, "I'm proud to be amongst you," The ladies' committee worked exceedingly hard and harmoniously, both in canvassing on the grounds anil in the large marquee which they had provided for the afternoon tea, which was most generously patronised and enjoyed by all who wended their way amongst the good and dainty things placed on the tables. Mr. Bascand had charge of the pot boiling, and was kept very busy, but proved equal to the occasion. Mr. \V. Eves, as gatekeeper, is in a class of his own, and stuck to his post like a hero. The basket social in the evening was also an event that will never be forgotten in Auroa, more especially by some of the young men who so gallantly held their faith with the young ladies when the auction of the baskets took place. Prices ranged from 2s (id to 325, the latter price being paid by a canny Aberdonian for a lady's basket of the Taffy nationality. The next highest price realised was 30s, which goes to prove that we also have some gallant Welshmen in Auroa.

Following are some of the details of the afternoon's sport:— Menagerie race—E. Snelling (driving a rooster) 1, McCall and Co. (driving three roosters in harness) 2. Three-legged race (ladies')— Mesdames Parkes and Penny 1. Wheelbarrow race—Messrs Bugle's and Evans 1.

Potato race (ladies')— Miss Hughes 1. Driving competition (ladies') —Airs. Rawdifl'e and R. W. .T. McNeil 1.

Best school pony—J. Patterson's entry 1.

Jfoviee jump—.T. Joyce's entry 1. Pace race—J. King's entry 1. Tug-of-war (Auroa v. Tho World)—Auroa (2 wins) 1. The gift auction during the afternoon realised over £IOO, the flag over £SO, the baskets £2O, gate takings £ls, door £lO, subscription lists and various other receipts about £9O, mock court £25; making a total of approximately C.'flil, with still a purebred Ayrshire cow (presented by Mr. W. Tait) to sell at Mr. A. G. Johnston's sale on July 2 in Hawera. The committee have got good reasons to be highly flattered with their efforts in organising such a profitable scheme for money raising.

The l thanks of the committee are due ' to Mr. T. Pickering and Mr. fi. Smith for supplying the music gratis for the social, also to those who rendered extras and vocal items to make the evening such a success. The auction of the baskets, etc., being over, threo hearty cheers were called for Mr. E. Morrissey, for the very efficient manner in which he had conducted the sale, which were responded to most heartily. Mr. Morrissey then thanked the public for tho cheers afforded him and for the way they had responded during the whole piece. The thanks of aM concerned are due to Mr. Morrissey, Mr. J. Russell, and Mr. J. Hyndman for the manner in tfesir dating.