DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

V PUNGAREHU. .1 (From a Correspondent! T The- King's Birthday holiday pasßed off very, /, quietly here, although the afternoon witnessed! the usual Influx of visitors from the surround- ! lug districts, which helped to make things more la keeping with the xcasion. tho principal attraction to this district being the lighthome. The local school has, through r-eraosais, gonedown in numbers, but we an hoping wlih the fresh arrivals in the district to bring the attendance to even more than '.ho usual average. The weather for the past week has been showery, and for the most part moderately eld. Thore have been several saks of farms lately, and in every case the prices, indicate that land values are on the Increase. Though no definite new 3 Is available, it Is reported that Mr. Hlncb, Warea lioad, has sold his farm to two returned aolc'iers, who Intend working it on share 9. When on the school subject, X forgot to mention that the last inspector's report Is now in the hands of the 'ocal school committee, the report giving great credit to both teachers and scholars. The following Is an extract from the report: Discretion has been shown is the organisation of the schooi and the classification of the pupils. The registers and otherrecords are neatly kept, and up to date. Tha regularity of attendance has been dlsappolntrtng, the upper division gaining only 88 per cent, of the roll, and the lower division 71 per cent, for last quarter. However, thi3 has been remedied, as the attendance on examination day was 93 per cent. In the upper division the slate work was set out with great care and intelligent explanation. The pupils were particularly receptive as to new Ideas suggested, and showed a satisfactory acquaintance with the work In hand. In the lower division draw- . big is a stroDg subject, the color work being tastefully carried out. In reading, the lessons | are evidently wen prepared before an attempt Is made to read.

The report, taken ait round, is very satisfactory, and the new arrivals In the district, or In the vicinity, atwuld have no hesitation In sending their children to the Pungarehu school. The tuition received under Miss Mackay (head), teacher) and Miss Miles (assistant) should fit them out well prepared to take part In the race for the highest positions In the country. Pungarehu presented a very busy appearance one day lost week, the attraction being the clearing sale of Mrs. Goodln's equipment la connection with her late son's (Mr. H. Goodln) blacksmith business; also the furniture and personal effects belonging to Mr. S. Sefton, whoIs shortly leaving the district.

I On Tuesday, 17th lust., as advertised, the I attraction here will be tbo social and dance in the hall to welcome home Trooper S. H. Taylor, Privates A. Klrkpatrlck and M. Kelly, who have lately returned after doing their bit at. .the front. As thoy are all well known, there la every reason to anticipate extensive patronage from dancers in the near-by districts. The 'dance music, supper arrangements anil floor will be all that is necessary to ensure an enjoyablo evening. Pungatehu boys are slowly trekking homeward now, and 1 hear that another oI our 'local boys—Private 15. J. Barrett—ls arriving ;in New Zealand by the troopship Waimana, due at Auckland on June 20. The many friends of Trooper S. H. Taylor, who has been in the New Plymouth Hospital lately undergoing an operation, will be pleased to hoar that he has come through his operation successfully, and Is now well enough to leavj that Institution, although, still under the doctor's attention.