DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI. (From Our Own Correspondent). The Easter holidays passed off very quietly in this district. A few of the residents held' a most enjoyahle little picnic on the beach, and though the weather was dull and threatening during the afternoon they managed to escape a wetting Several sports from Uruti and other parts journeyed to Hawera to assist at the Trotting Club's meeting, and some of them had the pleasure of collecting. Our locdl representative (Maggie Girl) could get no nearer than fourth, but, as she is new at the game, wili no doubt do better later on.

On Tuesday eyening a number of ladies and gentlemen from Urenui and Wai-toi-toi went up to Uruti to the basket social held in aid of the local tennis club. There was a good attendance, and a most enjoyable dance was held. During the evening Mr. Chas. Barnitt, who made a most efficient knight of the hammer, disposed of the various baskets at prices which were satisfactory to the vendors, and the club will benefit most substantially. Mr. Reg. Spnrr presided at the piano, and acquitted himself most creditably, while the duties of M.C. were ably carried out by Mr. M. Orbell.

Mr. A. Carr, who last sea?,- purchased the farm occupied by Tu: Sid Sutton, is making some very suitable additions to his residence, and' last week gave a very successful house-warming to a few friends.

Mr. Alf. Smith, of Thorndale, has also recently built a very convenient' cottage for his sharemilkers, and, having disposed of his New Plymouth property is now residing amongst us again, and is personally attending to the wellknown Tupara estate, which he acquired from Mr. E. Butler some little while ago.

Mrs. Sanson has secured the lease of some 100 acres of native land situate between Wai-toi-tdi and Urenui and intends building thereon, and will supply the loeal factory next season. One of the sections is at present partially covered with furze, and quite adjacent to the main road, so that when it is grubbed and cleaned up an eyesore to the noxious w>eds inspector will be removed.

As showing the peculiar growth this season, it may be mentioned that late in January the manager of the factory secured close to £5 worth of cocksfoot seed off less than one third of an acre on a portion of the land adjoining the premises, while some two months later one of the residents gathered off exactly the same piece of land over £2 worth of the much-coveted paspalum seed. As an autumn food the latter grass is rapidly coming into favor, its abnormal growth after Christmas making it a most welcome change when the other pastures are going off. One farmer in this locality took a heavy crop of hay off a paspalum paddock in December, and early in April harvested another stack of ensilage off the same piece of ground, and has now a nice green paddock for his cows. It is claimed for it that once thoroughly established on a rough holding very little trouble need be fea'.cA from fern or blackberry as it forms such a dense mat that there is very little room for anything else to survive.