DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1918, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

TARIKI. (From Our Own Correspondent,

The picnic and banquet held in connection with the official opening of the Rugby Road branch of the Tariki Co-op. Dairy Company, an account of which appeared in our issue of the 18th inst., were both a great success. Mr. A. Morton, in the course of an interesting speech after the banquet, remarked that lie did not consider the present method of dealing with dairy produce altogether sa'isfactory, and would prefer to see representatives of dairy companies negotiate directly with the Imperial authorities. He wished it to be clearly understood lie did not east any blame on our National Government, and that we had a great deal to thank the Prime Ministor for the part he had taken in past negotiations.

The Rugby Road settlers received many congratulations on the substantial un-to-date factory they had erected and on the step they had taken in joining forces with the Tariki Compar.y. which is undoubtedly in the best interests of all concerned.

Thp special effort day for the Y.j.i'.C.A. lield in the Tariki School grounds on the Ifitli organised by the Patriotic Committee, was also a great success, and the ie.iults to date most satisfactory. The committee had announced I hat they were out to score three figures, and the spontaneous response of the local public made this an easy task. Exact figures are not yet available, but I, understand- thai £l4O is somewhere, about the amount, which, excepting the help if a car load c f good friends from fnglewood, was raised within a three-mile radius of the township. Apart from cash donated, at an early hour contributions of produce, tittle, sheep and other live stock began to flow towards the Red Triangle centre. Py permission of our relieving station master, the station yards were r,isd,-> use of for penning the. cattle, which consisted principally of weaner cillves of excellent quality. Two of Mr. Newton King's auctioneers from Tnglewood, Messrs f. Outfield and Trevor Hawke, gave their services, and started BnoTt after luncheon on the produce stall, which was laden with a fine assortment of vegetables, fruit, jam, etc.: the poultry followed, and Mr. Trevor -Hawke. who was wielding the hammer 'with '■••<"'' cflV',( realised excellent prices, the biJding being very keen throughout, iiimiv articles being knocked down and Pt.t up again several times before being finally disposed of. An adjournment was then made to the live stock where tho bidding was equally brisk. A fine busk calf, contributed by Mr. W. Summer--, hung fire a little' at first, but finally scored top value in the weaner class, lining sold and resold many times, realising altogether £3 15s Gd. Tn the afternoon the school grounds r-n sented a most animated appearance, tVre being n very largo and representative gathering of settlers present. Tin-di-r the management of Mr. T. Therklesnii, tennis was kept, going all the time. Sports were arranged, the handieapper* hc''!ig Messrs J. TTucker and W. Kend-rir-k, with Messrs Jury and J. Tlicrkloson, sen., as judge, afforded the children even- opportunity of displaying their activity, whieli tliev availed themselves of to'Gio full. I;n-~ .<;,>|,|s heihg the order of the day. The most interesting event, an oven handicap, was won by Ma3ter Roddy Taylor, who showed that ho inherited the well-known staying powers of his father's family. Tn the evening a dance was held in I 111" ■•"honl, and a good crowd, consisting principally of the younger members of the community, spent a most onjovable [.'veiling. The floor was good, and et. eel lent music was given by Miss T.angnum and Mr. S. Reed. The Misses Laurence contributed extras. Mr. Jim Hunwick, a returned soldier, acted as M.C.. and, needless to say, "carried on" to I>\~ satisfaction of everyone. On the whole (he effort can he recorded as being eminently satisfactory. The. cause was a most worthy one and it was noticeable that those with sons at. the front, and fi'ore are many of them here, wenmest conspicuous both in working and "•■ntrihutins. The chairman (Mr. A. E. Laurence), the acting lion. sec. (Mr. lOiison), and the members of the eomniHtee, all workorKhard, and were well backed by outride helpers amongst | wlom were Mr. W. Summers (musterins: stock) ami Messrs TT. Kerr and C. Thompson.

Aroonpst tlif v-yp Sergeant Aliek Pee-' "din was 1001-inT well after his visU to Rotorua, and Private Frank