DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

EURFORD ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.! On the evening of March .8 a welcome home was tendered to Private J. Walsh and Driver G. Lepper. The schoolroom was packed to its utmost, a number coming from Omata, among whom was a war bride—the first one to make an appearance among us. The early part of the evening was spent in euchre, the winners being Mrs. Seamark (prize donated by Mr. A. Smith), and the gents' prize (donated by Mr. A. Wood) went to Private J. Walsh, who scored a popular win. A cushion given by Mrs. McCormick realised £2 13s. After supper dancing was indulged in until the early hours of the morning. During an interval Mr. E. Williams extended a hearty welcome home to the guests, the soldiers briefly returning thanks, after which "For They are Jolly Good Fellows" was sung right heartily. On Friday night last another such evening took place, the soldier guests being Sergeant J. Lepper, M.M., and Private R. Leighton. Again a large gathering assembled, and the usual routine was gone through.

The following local soldiers are expected home this week: Pvtes. R. Spence, C. Kendall, and L. Loveridge. Properties on the Hurford Road are changing hands, in common with most other districts. Mr. H. Taylor has sold his farm, while Mr. .1. Wa'lsh has pur. chased 200 acres of the late Mr. Okey's estate and Mr W, Adlam has purchased Mrs. Bylard's property at Ifuiworth and will be moving there shortly.

DURHAM ROAD. ' (From Our Own Correspondent.) The residents in the Durham district are making arrangements to welcome home Messrs F. Hodges. M. Crean, P. G and A. McEwea, and F. Mischefiski We are having an exceptional spell of fine weather, though frosts have made their appearance a little bit earlier than in previous years. On Tuesday evening last a coldish south-easter, with a drizzle, sprang up and further assisted dairy cows towards the close season. Unlike south-casters in the past, our visitor thought, better of his threat, as the following day turned out beautifully fine. Several of our soldier boys from this and the adjacent district will arrive in the Dominion in double harness, having ntered for the matrimonial stakes with ■onng ladies of the British Isles. One yell known laddie, who lias been in the hick of the struggle and has been wounded three times, is now a "proud diiddv," and his relatives.are in a state of suppressed excitement, awaiting the arrival of the "family."

Parents should bear in mind that the apathy shown in regard to matters pertaining to their district school is not conducive to getting redress of any grievances that may exist at present or may crop up in the future from the controlling authorities, whether board or department. This same apathy in the past has resulted in committee powers being filched one by one, and a read live interest shown in the management of school affairs would be bound to'mnke the big chap careful. It is no use howling against injustice, etc., from a fireside chair.

It is very often mentioned in the press that pinus insignus is of quick growf'i etc. People who have bought case fn«' this season will have noticed that n e boxes were made from pinus inslgnv.t.mber. and it i, said that in the Soi.fi. Island cheese crates are also made fron it Quite recently Mr. Joe. Corney, ser,, of Durham Road, had a tree along hi 3 frontage felled for firewood purpose which showed a clean barrel of over 30 feet and 2 feet 0 inches in diameter, The row of trees from which tdie one mentioned was taken includes some monsters still standing which must be over 65 feet high and represent the growth of 34 years. If farmers would only plant their creek and river banks with this tree they would be providing shelter Irom the cutting winds, besides matin" provision for the future box timber and irewood. Another thing which should have an important bearing in this matter is that blackberry will claim the creeks if they are not planted, and from such places the level land will be continually supplied with seed. Pinus insignus has proved a real strangler of blackberry, hence my appeal to settlers to plant, and plant heavily! MOKATT

(From Our Own Correspondent) On the nights of the oth, 10th,' and Hth of the present month Mokau was visited by the "Great Henri French Vaudeville Couip.iny," and a grand performance was given. It is not. very often that we see these companies up this way, but when they do happen to come the public make the best of it, and a large crowd always puts in an appearance. It is the wish of every one in this district that we may again see Mr. French up this way sometime in the near future.

The work at. the Molcau Ferrv landing is now nearing completion. This job took a great amount of forcing to have a start made at all, and it is taking a »ig lot of. forcing to finish it, hut it will be a good job well done when it is finished.

Ihe new secretary and harbormaster of the Mokau Harbor Board is expected to take up his duties very soon, cither this month or next.

TUTTJTAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very successful school picnic and sports was held in Mr. W. E. Smith's paddock last Friday week, when nearly all the local people were present, as well as visitors from Douglas, Puniwhakau, and Strathmore. The day was fine, and ft most enjoyable time "was spent by young and old. The trophies presented were won by the following:— Married ladies' race: Rawles & Rawles* first prize, Mrs. Thurston (Strathmore); Mr. T. Grulb's pair of vases, Mis. H. Simpson. Married men's race: Mr. J. Jacobsen (Master & Son, Ltd., box of tea) 1. Single, ladies' race: Miss Eileen Jacobsen (Mr. (Jrubb's toilet tidy) 1. Miss Myers, Stratmore, (Mrs. Burton, picture)

Nail driving, married ladies: Mrs. Jacobsen (Bellringer Bros., aluminium kettle) 1, Mrs. E. Hodder (Mrs. Savage, box of toilet soap) 2. Nail driving, single ladies: Miss Myers 1, Miss Annie Myers 2. Cash pmes. Cham stepping, ladies: Mrs. F. Simpson 1, Miss Inez Jacobsen 2. Chain stepping, gents: Mr. M T Phillips 1, Master Alf. Phillips 2, Mr E W Walters 3.

Several events took place during the day-running, hop. step, and jump, high jump, three-legged race, etc. A most enjoyable day terminated with » Üby

i— rs—L_L_^= I show, which caused intense excitement. Dr. Smith proved himself to be the right man in the right, place as judge. The following are the results:—Baby under six months: Mrs. E. Hodder 1, Mrs. K. James 2. Baby under twelve months: Mrs. E. W. Walter 1, Mrs. ,T. Jacobsen I. Luncheon and afternoon tea were provided bv the ladies. Mrs. Holly presented a tin of lollies for scrambling A dance was held in the hall in the evenmg, when the school prizes and good attendance certificates were presented. Special prizes were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Hodder, sen., and Mr. and Mrs. Hodder, jun., and were won by Florrie Brickell and Bennett Brickell for the best' essays and Roy Smith and Edna Siuftli for most progress during the year. The meeting of householders took place on Monday evening, when the following were elected: Julius Jaeobsen James Savage, William Edward Smith! Albert J. Holly, and William John Simp, son (chairman and secretary). Within the next few weeks several of our settlers will be leaving the district, Mr. W. E. Smith having sold out to Mr. J. Savage, Mr. R. A. Brickell to Mr. Outfield, Mr. R. James to Mi. Moore, of Bunnythorpe, while Mr. M. T Phillips, having bought out Mr. H. Watson of the "Dew Drop," Douglas, is going there to reside.