DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1919, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAKEHU." (From Oar Own Correspondent.) A most successful socal and dance was held in the Pungarehu Hall on Tuesday evening last, in aid of the local school fund. The school committee, who were responsible for the holding of the dance, have every reason to feel satisfied with the patronage accorded their efforts, the hall being, crowded with delighted dancers, who footed it men% till two in the morning to the fine music supplied by Mrs. Pope. Extras were contributed by Miss W. Sefton and Miss Ivy Goodwin, the duties of M.C. being in the capable hands of Mr. S. Goodwin. Thanks are due to the ladies, Mesdames Layman, Grenfell, Cameron, and Miss Mackay, who worked very hard in preparing the dainty supper. We must not forget to thank all who so generously gave the home-baked cakes and subscribed in cash towards the expenses of providing the supper. The committee, particularly the energetic chairman (Mr. F. J. Campbell) lire to be congratulated on the successful results obtained, the school fund benefiting to the extent of a few pounds, and it is quite safe to add that any future dances controlled by the same committee will meet with a generous response from the residents.

Inquiries made recently as to the conI dition of Mr. T. Barrett, the young man who was injured in a collision with straying cattle while on his way to town per motor cycle, and was removed to the hospital, show that he is making good progress. Mr. Barrett was admitted to the institution suffering from a broken rib and collarbone. He has since been discharged from the hospital, although still under the doctor's care. General regret was felt throughout the district when it became known that Mr. Barrett had met, with an accident, and all hope j that he will make a complete and quick recovery. A rather amusing incident occurred on Saturday last at the junction of the Cape and South Roads. . A horse and trap containing two male occupants, on coming from the direction of Cape Boad, and when about to drive through the cutting. appeared to get into difficulties. The incident, as described by an onlooker, appeared like a tug-bf-war contest between horse and driver, the driver wanting to take the cutting, while the horse, which showed by itg actions that it had not been used to taking that route, finally took the graßsy slope between the roads, which placed the trap and its occupants in a very awkward position. One of the occupants at this stage, on standing up, overbalanced and fell headlong to the ground. Luckily the incident was attended with no injury to either party, although it was reported that the trap overturned, which is incorrect. The long spell of dry weather that ha," been experienced here lately is causing the farming community grave concern. Although the dry spell was broken at the beginning of the week by a steady fall of Tain,, the need for economy in the use of water still exists. Feed, by all accounts, seems to be pretty bad all round, and forced sales of stock.have been made.

A mean and desp'caMe act- was- perforrged In I the earl? hours of Wednesday morning last, the !Pungarehu Hall being forcibly filtered' and thoroughly ransacked. Entrance was gained by forcing the door of the ladles' dressing room, and, judging by the appearance the gentlemen'* room presented and the odour of booze which permeated the whole hall, It looked as though an orgy had been In full awing. The previous evening a social r.nd dance had been held In aid of the local school fund, and most of the eatables and tea and sugar, etc, which were unused, seemed to attract trie attention of the hungry pillagers, goods amounting to something like 12s being taken, actually robbing the school children of their little funds. For the I benefit of the hoodlums, who can only be classified as such, I would like to add that they are all well known, and If a similar occurrence is repeated the matter will be put in the hands of th 6 police It Is considered Very strange that anyone should go to the trouble of burgling n public hall, because a hall is about the last place where thieves could expect to And booty of any value. The children's funds will be the principal sufferers, and such conduct Is considered most reprehensible for a thriving district like Pungarehu. The resignation of Mr W. H. Keasberry, from the management of the Cape Egmont Dairy Factory's store department, was received at the last meeting of the company's directors. It is twenty-three years since he had the honor of being first connected with the company, and during that period has done much to popularise the factory and Its store, and to bring to the realisation of tho 'community the paramount Importance of hj," ;i cheese factory in their midst. Mr Keasuerry, who is still quite active, although well over 70 years of age. Is about to start a business out Warea way on his own account, and although the settlers generally will very much regret the loss of Mr Keasberry as manager, he will carry with him the warmest wishes of all for his success in his new home, and hope that he will have many years before him in which to build up his future business to the same standard as ho Intends leaving his present one. What w'U be Pungarehu's loss is Waren's gain In many ways.

Properties at Pungarehu are changing hands to common with most other districts, Mr Keasberry having sold out to Mr W. James and Mr Syd. Armstrong at very good figures, lioth buyers being returned soldiers. Mr Sefton. who has been employed by T. P. Hushson and Sons at Oaonul for the last ten or twelve years, and lately been In charge for a few months of their store department at Pungarehu here, has been Informed that his services are no longer required Mr Sefton and his daughler (Miss Winnie) have In their short stay amongst us made many friends, and general regret will b? felt at their departure, which will be In-a few weeks' time. It Is' Mr. Sefton's Intention on leaving here to spend a month's holklav in the wlnterless north before seeking further employment; and it goes without saying that they also will carry with them the warmest wishes of the residents for their happiness and success In their new home. A meeting of the Pungarehu Social Committee Is to be held on the evening of the 27th Inst, to make further arrangements to officially welcome home a few more of the Punsarehu I boys.

ITOK¥OHD ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent) The last few days of fine weather with the rain have made a marked appearance in the grass, giving the fields' a spring-like appearance. We shall require, spring weather all the year round if land still continues to advance in price. There Is one farm in particular on this road that was acquired some four mouths hack at £l7 per acre, and since then has been sold at £24, and now, I understand, it has been resold at £27. The farmers are proving these last few years that they can double the production of their holdings by smaller paddocks, with the aid of fertilisers, and by discarding the robber cow. Within the last twelve months there have oeen fully forty land sales along the coast between Stoney River and Omata. Surely it is good for the revenue of the country, as well at a harvest for the land agents and solicitors! Once more there was a good assembly of the public at the local schoolroom last Friday evening, the occasion being the welcon'.'i •?, lmioi" of Privates C. Kendall, K. Jury, L. Loverldge and J. White, the usual performance ue,ii,T iidhiTed to, Mr Williams making an efTectl"c M C During the evening songs were given by Messrs K. Williams and H. Smith.

On Wednesday fortnight previous a euchre ! party and dance was held, being attended with the usual success, Mrs Loveridgo providing the lady' 3 prize, which was won by Miss Spence, whilst Mr Seamark scored the gent's prize, donated by Mr Cowling. While playing at school during the week, Mr P. Woods' little boy had the misfortune to fall and break his leg, and Is now an Inmate of the hospital. We all wish the little sufferer a speedy recovery. The Omata Dairy Company is losing the. services of their manager, Mr E. McCormlck. During his managership, extending over four years, Mr McCormlck has proved himself careful and attentive, and also a good buttermaker; only turning out one small lot of se l :- ond grade butter, that being on account of feed flavor. Tojether with other prizes he was a close seeeud, being beaten only by half a point (or the Taranakl championship at the New Plymouth Show last year. Previous to coming to Omata he won the Weddell Challenge Cup, 1910, and a gold medal at the Panama Exhibition, IW4. Alttuugb sorry to lom Mr McConalcK

we Trish him every success In his now sphere. Private H. Ward, another of our soldiers, has returned. Privates B. Taylor find A. Lovertfge are expected back at the end of this month. YORK KOAD. (From Out Own Correspondent) The social held on the 16th proved a great success, the school being packed. During tbe evening Mrs Balsom was presented with a handsome set of carvers and a DouKon ware [salad bowl from those people she did so much for during the inUucuza epidemic. Mr Kiug acted as spokesman, aud Mr Doni'ncoskl made the presentation. Mis Balsoni suitably thanked the donors for their kindness. Mrs Walsh supplied the muSic In her usual first-class ,style, the dancing beiug kept going uutil the early hours. On the 23rd a social was lieW to welcome homo three returned soldiers, A. Volzke, M. Potroz and H. Eiehstaedt, and proved a great success. This was a free night, the music being free and supplied by Mrs Walsh, Mr DraI vitsski and Mr Doinbroski, and was eterytuing that could be desired. Daring the evening -Mr Dombroskl presented each soldiei with a set of brushes and a tobacco pouch. Mr A. Volzke suitably acknowledged. Miss Draritaskt and Mrs Balsom'B singing was greatly appreciated and added to the enjoyment of the evening. tntOTI. (From A Correspondent) A jolly little "r...,al took place In the Uruli Hall on Friday.evtiung, when the settlors of the district gathered together to say good-bye to Mr and Mrs W. Old and family, who are leaving very shortly foe their new home In the Waikato. Dancing was the order of the evening Ah excellent supper, supervised by Mesdatnes S. Campbell, .1. Murray, C. Musker and B. .1. Nlcholls, Misses McAllum, P. and A. Murray, was handed round, and after full justice had been done to the good things, Mr B. S. Wells eulogised the good work done by Mr and Mrs Old during their eighteeu years' residence in Druti, and voiced the feelings of all present In saying the settlers were sorry to lose them. He then asked Mr and Mrs Old to accept a small token of goodwill from their numerous Mentis. This took the form of a sterling silver teapot and a vase, suitably inscribed. Amid applause. Mr Old suitably responded on behalf of Mrs Old and himself. All then joined in singing "For They are Jolly Good Fellows" and "Aula* Laug Syne." Misses K. and N. Murray, M. Fraser and J. Ilea, and Mr Davis supplied the music, while Mr C. H. Barnltt carried out the duties of M.C. in his usual satisfactory style. The proceeds ware handed to the secretary of the Patriotic Committee for the presentation fund.