DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1917, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS

IXAMGA—BUKEXGAHU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The weather in our locality has been fairly warm for the last wed; or so 'but owing to the continual liea\;y showers all farming operations have been nearly at a standstill. By the end of this mouth there will be a good many cows in profit as the plaintive bleat of the new born calf is beginning to be heard on some farms already.

After many meetings and a considerable amount of discussion, as Stratford Dairy Company vetoed the manufacture of cheese the suppliers to the Ttobson Road creamer} 7 have practically agreed with the Kltham Cheese Factory Company to erect an up-to-date cheese factory on the Wailmpu ft cad ahonf a mile from the present Kob c on Road ereamcrv. The settlers are proposing to form a special rating area to finish metalling the Wailmpu .Road. If the Kltham Company build the cheese factory and the Wailiapu Road is opened up it will mean a loss to Stratford and a good win for Kltham. Stratford Dairy Company is taking rather a narrow-minded view in regard to some of its branches wishing to manufacture cheese, which, as is'the case of the Rofbson creamery, they will break away and either form a new company or join Midhirst or Eltham which in either case will be a direet loss to Stratford. Two of our oldest settlers, Mr. H. Bowling and Mrs. Breen, are leaving the district, Mr. Bowling to a fresh farm at Oban and Mrs. Breen to a new home on the Beaconsfield road. Mr. and Mrs. Bowling were farewelled at a social gathering at Mr. Blaekstoek's on Thursday night and were both recipients ol" useful and costly presents as a mark of the esteem fn which they were held by tin"- many friends and neighbors. Though sorry to lose both the families og Mr. Bowling and Mrs. Breen from our midst we all wiSh them peace and prosperity in their new liomc3. DURHAM ROAD.

Mr. 11. G. Sergei agricultural lecturer, will be present at 'Durham school on Wednesday nig'ht next to give an address on ''Top Dressing for 1!H7." On the afternoon following, a demonstration in orchard work will be made in Mr. D. Brown's orchard. As there are several orclmrdists on the road, there is no doubt some payable "wrinkles" can be obtained, and those closely interested in fruit trees should not overlook the opportunity given. Privates P. G. MeEwon and M. Crean. who arrived from camp on final leave on I'ridav last, arc to be tendered a farewell social in tilie school on Friday evening next A splendid programme of vocal and other item's is being arranged, which, with the usual dance, sliould prove enjoyable to those who attend. It i<r hoped a good attendance will be present to bid au revoir to the soldiers.

One would fancy that that 'branch of our postal department which deals with returned ietters {the so-called "dead letter office") would be well acquainted with (lie geography of the district, yet a resident of this road can show the address of a letter received through that ofiice which reads: "Mr. , Piakau T'.R. hig'.ewood, Napier." Since the title "Mnkelawa" was declared to be of Scotch origin, and therefore not ae--oKi.itii.blc as a name for a Tnranaki post ofiice. as only 'Maori names could be ii'.fd, I suppose one need not be too particular as to the 'vagaries of the department mentioned. Tis funny all the same.

Mumps, whooping cough, measles, and otT.er tribulations affecting the young, have been prevalent in ,the district for some considerable time now, and the school attendance in consequence has been of a variable character. At the school committee on Monday evening last the report of the inspector's interim inspection was considered. Exception was taken to a clause in the report which reads: 'The majority of the children attending this school are oF foreign extraction, in whose liomcs the EnjlUh language is -eldom heiml. This renders the work of the teacher more arduous as far as language i- concerned." Now, the children referred to are grandchildren of Polish settlers, who have been pioneers of tiie Moa district, and a wrong impression to have been made by the inspector. . There is no doubt that the parents of the children vore put to the disadvantage mentioned, yet the children themselves do not hear at their homes anything but the English language.

PUKEARUHE. A VALEDICTORY SOCIAL. (From Our Correspondent.) A very pleasant gathering, in the form of a social, took place in the Pukearuhe school last Saturday evening, tlie occasion being to farewell and make a present.ition to Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Bowman and family, who are shortly leaving the district. The social was comprised of musical items, songs and games; notable among the latter were ''Winking" and "Simon Says," under the leadership of Mr. A. R. 'Davis. Of tlx; musical portion of the programme were songs tastefully rendered by Miss \ i<lii Chouif, of i\ew Plymouth, whose singing added much to the enjoyment of-the evening's entertainment! 'Following are items: Overture, Miss Chong: song, "When the autumn turns tlie forest leaves to ' Miss Hassle Davis; waltz, Miss Chong; song, ''He wipes a tear from eye, Mr.°ll. Wells; song. ''■ lust her wa.v" (encored) and responded witli "Whittle it. v Miss Chong; lancers, Mrs. (Vtwriglit; song, "Asleep in the deep," Mr. -1. W. 11. Martin; song, "The trail that lead,; to home," school children; recitation. Mr. tlrave; song, ''Roses in the bud (encored) and responded to villi "High .Jinks" Miss Chong - duet, "Money Matters," Mr. and Mrs. .T. W r . 11. Martin; pianoforte duet, Miss Hazel \A ells and Mr. H. Wells; d'Alberls, Mrs. Davis; sons, Mr. Cecil ißowe; song, "A perfec. dav," Mrs. Davis. Mr. J. Williamsons "gramophone" selections were enjoyed immensely. , After refreshments had been handed round (which were supplied by the ladies) Mr. Davis called upon Mr Martin to make the presentation. Mr. Martin feelinglv referred to the departure of the recipients, who were nmvor=,illy liked and esteemed for their kindly dispositions, and were always ready and wi'line to hel'p with any movement appertaining to the welfare of the district. Mr. Martin then, on behalf of the donors, presented to Mrs. IJow'maif a silver-plated meat and fish entree dish and gravy tureen; to Mr. Bowman, an aneroid 'barometer; to Miss Kathleen Bowman an Indian filigree silver bangle, and Master Francis Bowman a silvermounted Pencil case. Mr. Bowman briefly responded, tliank--1 incr the donors for their handsome ,pres-

cuts, and also for 'the many kind and complimentary remarks made in referonce to themselves. The entertainment concluded witli "l"'or they are jolly good .people." The musical accompaniments were ably played by Miss Chong and Mesdames Cartwright and Davis Mr. H. «reig sent an apology expressing regret at his absence, which was unavoidable. Mr. A. R. Davis acted as master of ceremonies.