DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The wea,ther during the past week or two has been squally and somewhat boisterous, heavy rain falling at intervals day and night, accompanied by a very disagreeable wind. Although delaying outside labor to a certain extent, the rain should prove a golden rain to many farmers whose pastures were in need of a freshening up. Gorse grubbing is very active in the district and vicinity, and quite a number of paddocks are being cleared. Ploughing is being actively carried on again, and many paddociis which were neglected during war time are either being newly fenced, old fences repaired or else clewing and cultivation operations are being conducted. It is quite clear that farm operations are going to be very active again.

This district has, like all other parts of Taranaki, felt the effects of the farm selling epidemic' lately so noticeable everywhere. During the past few months transactions in land and properties have almost reached double figures, and one hears of further farms likely to change hands. While there are many who believe land to be extremely high in price, there are others who believe that with more cultivation and attention to the, herds, the lands round here can reach higher figures and still be profitable ,to the purchaser.

As in other places, the straying stock nuisance is again getting very noticeable here. Cattle are to be found grazing in almost every road, and in some instances the stock have been able to get into private property to the annoyance of the owners. My attention has also been drawn to the condition of the Cape Road bridge. A party from one of the nearby districts who had occasion to pass over it recently found the protecting rail on one side missing. As Tic remarked, another party may come along driving with a horse which is in the habit of shying, and if so the chances are .that horse and trap will ?o over the side. This wonld certainly mean someone getting seriously injured, and perhaps lead to a possible claim for damages against the responsible authorities. Wi Kupi, one of the upper class Maoris of Pungarehu, is helping along the advancement of this prosperous little coastal district of ours. Part of his efforts to assist will take the form of house building, one being already in course of erection. It is to be hoped this will be the commencement of a revival in house Construction at Pungarehu. A long-felt want and what is a real necessity! in Pungarehu, tlfit is the forming of a settlers' association, with a few active and progressive men at the head of affairs in order to further the i:.terests of the district, which are decidedly backward.

On Thursday, the 19th, the roads and by-ways leading to Tepoka Road presented rather an animated spectacle, the attraction being the clearing out sale of Mr] C Hands. Owing to'the inclemency of the weather (which was unfortunate for Mr. Hands) fewer people attended the sale than would have been the ease if the weather had been fine, although buyers were present from all the surrounding districts. Mr. and Mrs. Obeli and family, of \vaitara, who have made arrangements to take over the position of pharemilkers for Mr. J. Fleming, are not now expected to arrive in the district before the middle of July.

Religious services were held on Sunday last in all the churches at i'ur.garelm, each service being fairly welf at. tended.

A wedding of considerable local interest was celebrated on June 4 last at New Plymouth, when Mr. Harold Svmonds, of Pungarehu, son of Mrs. W. Symords, of' Fitzroy, New was married to Isabella, daughter of Mr. Moflitt, of the district of Hawcra. Another wedding of much local interest took place at the Catholic Church, Opunake, on June the 11th last, when Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fennell, of Opunake, was united in matrimony to Mr. W. Kirkwood, of Pungarehu. The presents were numerous and costly on both occasions, and it is needless to add that both parties have the best wishes of the Pungarehu residents and of their many friends for their future welfare and happiness. Thirty applications for the position of manager of the Cape Egmonfc Dairv Factory's general store department, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. W. H. Keasbevry, were considered by the directors of the company on Monday last. Applications I believe were received from persons in the South Island and in that ease the directors should find a large enough scope to work upon. I understand the applicants have 'been reduced to four from which the final selection will be made nfter the usual interviews have been gone .through with the remaining applicants. Inquiries made recently as to the condition of H. Cawsey, the young man who was injured in a collision with a four-wheeled buggy while riding through Pungarehu on horseback and was removed to the hospital, show that he is making splendid progress. H. Cawsey was admitted to the institution HUtfcring from a broken arm, the horse in its struggles |to regain its feet hjaving rolled over him. The many friends of Mr. Hinch will be; sorry to hear that he was taken sud- | denly ill last week-end. It appears he. had occasion to. .pay a visit to.fttiwwJ*

at New Plymouth and Hawera recently, and on his return home remarked abou,t not feeling well. Mrs. Hindi immediately sent for the medical attendant of this district. Mr. W- T. Guild and Miss Campbell, who both considered it necessary to call in the aid of the doctor, Dr. Blacklc.y, who, on examination found Mr; Hindi to be suffering from a very bad attack of gastritus. Wo all hope he will make a complete and quick recovery, although it means being confined to his home for some time to come.

We are also sorry to hear that Mr. S. Sefton, who recently left this district, while engaged at some particular work for a friend, at whose house he was living at the time, has had the misfortune to fall, resulting in Mb thigh being fractured. He has, I understand, been taken to the hospital. We all hope he will soon recover and return again in rrood health.

Mrs. E. Pope, postmistress at the local post office, who has been spending a short holiday in Wellington, has returned home and taken over her duties. Miss H. Wright, who was relieving here, will, I understand, return to New Plymouth and take over her former position. The old time custom of tincanning the newly married was again revived here on Saturday evening last, when Mr. and Mrs. A. Raynor, the new arrivals to the district, were given a rally by some of the local boys- I am pleased to state that the whole performance was looked upon as a huge joke on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Raynor, who handsomely treated those who participated and they in return wished the young couple all the good things possible. Two or three other parties I believe will be having a similar visit at some future date.

Peace day is drawing near. In connection with the Kahotu district's peace celebrations, I understand that arrangements are well'forward and air that now remains to be decided is the special day and date. The committee naturally are looking forward to being favored with idea! weather to make their efforts a success. Opiuiake, Oaonui, Pihama and Te Kiri have joined forces to «elebra,te peace. What* aihout Pungarehu and, Warea districts! Where do they stand? Why not Rahotu, Pungarehu, and Warea join up forces, which would help to make things more sociable and also deepen the interest in the forming of arrangements for that great day of days. The more the merrier.

The track work at Cape Boad, Pungarehu, is gradually becoming of more interest again. The Fleming brothers, William and Eichard, have again got their trotting course in good running order. I believe Mr. C. L. Kasper, from Eahotu, gave two of his horses a .trial spin round the track the other week, and expressed himself as being highly pleased with the track and arrangements. Pungarehu for sports every/ time. Feed is now getting short, and a run is: now being made on the hay stacks and swede paddocks. The local cheese factory is still running, receiving supplies every third day. Private E. J. Barrett, of Pungarehu, arrived in New Plymouth by the mail train on Tuesday evening last, reaching home the same night per motor «ar. He was given a great reception by his delighted friends and relatives and we all congratulate him on his safe return.

A few more of the district boys are expected to return from active service by the troopship Tahiti's draft, the vessel being due at Auckland on jiiiy z. The many young friends of Miss Thelmji Grenfell will be pleused to hear that she is getting along well in her now home at New Plymouth. Miss Grenfell has taken to nursing as her profession, being at present employed at Nurse Baker's private hospital, New Plymouth. We all wish her every success in her new sphere. ' Mr. and Mrs. H- Campbell have finally decided to take up house in this district and will shortly take over the house at present occupied by Mr. Jenkins, the local butter maker.

Mr. Jenkins with wife and family, will mako the house on the hill their future home.