DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1919, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MIDHIRST (Prom Our Own Correspondent). Two events of local Interest took place on the 10th uißt. In a.contest between Prohibitionists and Contlnuancers the former victorious, scoring 166 to their opponents' 10: i. In the afternoon the return malch between Midhirat and Toko was played on the factory ground, and after an enjoyable game resulted In a decisive win for the local team. Midhirst bated first and compiled 99—Messrs J. Snookes 36, A. McMeekan 22 and A. Richmond 21 being the principal scorers. On going to the wicket the visitors made a bad start, Cole being dismissed with a fine ball from L. Powler and Coletnan run out without scoring. Sullivan (7), Gibbons (5) and Griffiths (1) were the only scorers, the inning closing with a total of 14. It is only fair to state that the Toko batsmen were handicapped by the slowness of the wicket, being accustomed to a concrete pitch and In their second innings made a better stand, scoring 69—Cole (23), Sullivan (14) and Coleman (12) reaching double figures. The bowlers for Midhirst were L. Powler (7), Snookes (4), Davy (2), Nelson, Carter, and Sherlock (1), and for Toko, Cole (7), Sullivan (3) wickets. There was a large number of spectators present and afternoon tea was pro* vided by Midhirst ladles.

There are quite a number of cricket enthusiasts in this locality, and there Is every reason to hope that a good club will be formed by next season. A revival of this fine old national game deserves every encouragement. A meeting convened by Messrs D. Tickers and P. Harkness for those interested la forming a football club was held on the night of the 10th Inst, when there was a large muster, Mr. Harkness was voted to the chair, and II was unanimously decided to form a Midhirst Football Club, all present being enrolled as members. Committees were elected to interview the Stratford Club, and to look for a suitable ground. A future general meeting was fixed for the 19th Inst., when the committees will report. A number of honorary and playing members have Joined, and the prospect of being able to put good teams In the field Is very bright, as there Is a good supply of promising "material In t' e locality.

MAKETAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent). The recent factory picnic, notwithstanding the adverse weather conditions, has prdved financially the success of past functions. Mr. Wilfred Marshall, secretary, informs me that £2C represents the crodlt balance. Given more time for preliminary arrangements than waß available for the last affair, I venture to predict that the Maketawa picnic and sports will proTide a pleasant day's outing for a larger area than Is at present considered, aad it 13 the hope of a goodly number of the present enthusiasts will not relax their efforts. Apparently old Benedict has lieen on the rampage/ and during this month will swear in several recruits, as I understand no less than four marriages are to eventuate almost Immediately, with three In prospective. Good luck to the lot of them I

The number of electors who voted at the Durham booth was considerably less than on previous occasions when the school was used as polling place, and no doubt nuny residents found it more convenient to take Norfolk tills time instead. Continuance received 33 and Prohibition 22. One elector drew attention to the fact that the marking pencil bore the stamp of "Johann Faber, Germany." How? The advance in price of firewood for cream* ery purpose* has resulted in a fair amount of wood going to stack at the place and a prospect of a large supply for next season. It is to be hoped so, for it is not good business to have unseasoned wood during the fall of the season. When one considers the price that requisites, such as wedges, flies, saws, etc., have risen to, and the added cost of labor through cost of living, the sudden Increase In the price of wood is nothing out of the way, but at the same time the quicker normal conditions return the better.

Per report of Education Board, It Is seen that that body contemplates a new residence for Norfolk road, and there's no doubt but that such Is urgently required; In fact, a more up-to-date school building should also have serious consideration.

I have It on first hand authority that the price paid for Mehrlen's farm, Durham road west. Is In the region of £32 per acre, which is a very considerable Increase In land pr'ces for this part. But, as 1 have previously mentioned, the special advantages of thi» district for dairy purposes should have some effect on land prices, and it Is evident such are at last being considered. Many attempts hare been made to induce other settlers to part with their holdings, and rumor hath it that one of the many has succumbed to the persuader 1 Weather conditions for a considerable time must be termed exceptionally favorable, but notwithstanding the same the milk supply Is rapidly dwindling. The epidemic and very rough spring are responsible for the lack of such "holding crops" as maize, etc., while the soft turnips so often used for the purpose did not turn out any too well. Oh, yes I Oh, yea I Just listen, friends. After a considerable amount of haggling, after the submitting of sheaves of departmental papers (blue and otherwise), after a considerable expenditure of "wind camouflage," at last the vi? fan,lßrs *™ 'o receive thßlr share of butter profits"—equlllsatlon fund or some such fund. Truly the dairy fanner la a long-suf-fering chap. Is It because he Is so occupied with his farm work, and the uncongenial task of abasing blackberry, etc., that he is so easily humbugged by the "mouthers" In the "talking ahop'f However, Mr. Maketaws Becretary informs me that 1.7 d (one penny and a seventh) Is our share, and will be available at the payout on the 20th Inst.

No one can deny the ta.il that the public has been kept well supplied with reading matter for and against Prohibition, for, not accounting the advertisements, etc., in the Press, therg hasn't been a miss among residents regarding packages of pamphlets regarding the matter. It's a good job the thing Is over, as receiving bundle after bundle of all colors and In all sorts of type, caused soma olectors to bo so disgusted that they would not. sacrifice the necessary time to visit a b"oth. There's a nice bill, no doubt, for some one to foot In connection with those pamphlets, but, like, the cost of the whole concern, the people will pay.

URENUI. (From a Correspondent). Mrs. Sowry's residence was the scene of a very enjoyable evening party last Tuesday, the Bth. Mrs. Sowry received her guests in black silk. Misses Sowry (2) wore white" silk embroidered voile; Miss Cair, royal blue silk; Miss E. Waite, grey coatee frock; Miss Zelma Sowry, white embroidered muslin frock; Miss Pigott, whito embroidered voile tunic frock; Miss Ervino, silver grey silk blouse and skirt; Mrs. Barnitt, black voile; Miss H. McCracken, pale blue voile; Miss Amy Rurabal, pale pink check; Miss Hellen Carr, pretty pale pink crepe juniper frock; Miss Elsie Gaustad, dainty pale pink linen relieved with black velvet; Miss O. i ? ' S" 0 hMd-worked blouse and dark serge skirt. There were also present: Messrs Gerald and William Pigott, G. Carr, G Newton, A. Barnett, Julian, Raven and S. Wilson. Pianoforte solos, violin solos, vocal solos, chorus songs, games and dancing were Indulged in until after midnight, when supper was provided. Then all were sorry to depart, and acknowledged that they had had a very delightful time.