DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOf. >; (From Our Own Correspondent) last week we had a visit from an old friend in the person of Mr SJid. Sutton, who ia now residing at Omnia, and is chalrmati of the dairy company in that district. Mr Sutton was accompanied by the directors of tho company, and I understand a new factory on the most up-to-date lines, is being erected at Omata. Tho object of the visit was to inspect the local factory, and the 1 visitors were courteously received by Mr Taylor (the manager), and pressed themselves as highly pleased with the manner in which the premises were laid out, and also the excellent manner in which the plant is kept. The now freezing chamber which la In course of construction, and wlfich when completed will bo a valuable adjunct to the working of the factory, was also inspected and favorably commented on. Mr Sutton is an acquisition to the Oroata Company, as he has .a most intimate knowledge of matters connected with factory detail, and rendered valuable assistance to, the WaMoi-tol factory when In its infancy, sparing neither time nor trouble In helping matters along when they were most needed. The celebration of peace in IJrenui, though not on such an extensive (probably not as expensive) scale as In the larger centres, was yet fflost enjoyable in spite of the inclement weather. The gathering took the form of an Afternooij tea aud social evening in the trenul Hall for the children in the district, who had a royal time. During the evening, several songs were contributed and thp manner in which the children sang the "Hymn of Peace," under the conductorshlp of Mr G. H. Pope, head teacher of the Urenul School, was a feature of the evening. - After ten o'clock the adults present had a few hours' dancing and had a moat enjoyable time,' and the ladies and gentlemen Who conducted the function are to bo complimented upon its success. On Thursday last the local school grounds presented quite a busy appearance, when tree and shrub planting, under the direction of Miss Nolan, the teacher, was carried out in a most effective manner. During the afternoon seevral ladles in the district prepared a most enjoyable afternoon tea, which, it is needless to say, was done full justice to and appreciated by the young workers. On Friday evening last tho final of a sories of euchie parties was brought off in the Okoke schoolroom. Miss Gladys Lee won the first prize for the evening as well as the points' ladles, and for the' gentlemen Mr T. Lee the prize for the evening, and Mr Roy Ekdahl the points' prize. Mr D. Hamraon gave the points' prize for the ladies, and Mr T. Lee the points' prize for the gentlemen Dancing and singing were indulged in during the evening, and- all present enjoyed themselves most thoroughly.

MAKETAWA.

As a rule the Maketawa people ate certainly [lot or a changeable kind, but changes seem to have become quite tho fashion of late, and amongst the most notable of these, and probably the one most directly affecting the dairying community of the neighborhood, Is that caused by Mr. 'A. Johnstone's resignation of the. position of manager at the Maketawa Dairy Factory, which lie has Ailed for the past eleven years to the satisfaction and advantage of the shareholders of the company. Since first coming amonest us Mr. Johnstone, who succeeded his brother (air. George Johnstone) at tho factory, has been a general favorite,- and has always willingly shouldered his share of any burden to be borne when the interests of the district were concerned, so it is satisfactory to know that though ho will no longer have charge of makins the butter at the factory, etc., he is "?i ! e , ar !" 8 , lho neighborhood entirely, but, with his brother-(Mr. J. Johnstone, formerly of Moturoa) has taken over Mr, G. Hobbs' farm on Durham Road, whither he Is about to romove with his family. It is said that he purposes supplying tho factory with that product of her Majesty the Cow which he has tor so long been accustomed to transforming Into wealth for the settlers. This migration, though only a short one indistance, will have another result, In that Miss Johnstone, who has had charge of the Te Tawa post office, will give up that position. If is not Improbable t'mt that convenience to the public will cease to exist. If that is so, the settlers will need to bestir themselves and try to arrange for the establishment of a rural delivery, as has been done in other parts of Inglewood s environs. It is very muclv to be h'iped that the change or occupation will not occupy so much of their time Wat Miss Johnstone or her brother will have to lessen their active participation In the affairs of the locality in which they have both made their presence very distinctly felt, even where they have not actually taken a leading pnrt- In any case. It Is safe to say that all those who have got to know them since thev first enme hero will wish them every kind of good luclt in their new home. Mr. Robinson, who comes from Ranglwahia to take over the management of the faclorv Is exptcted very shortly, and unless the good people of Maketawa have mightily changed for the worse, he and his will soon And that thev have come amongst a friendly, neighborly, help, one-another kind of folk, and can hnrdly fall to bo thoroughly at homo In quite a little while. Though such a fundamental change In the managership of the factory is taking place we all nope that the prosperity of the company will continue for the coming season, as it has for so many bygone years, and see no reason for doubt thereon.