DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 August 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent) Between SO and 40 applications havo been received by the manager of tho Cape Egmont Co-op. Dairy Company for the position of first assistant for the cheese factory, rendered vacaut 1)3" the resicnatlon of Mr. It. Murray. Applications are still coming in from remote purls, causing a certain amount of delay ill making the final appointment. Mr. Murray, I am very .pleased to state, lias been appointed manager of the Huiroa Co-op. Cheeso Factory, and will bo leaving the district this week to take over his new duties. A pleasant little episode took place oil Monday evening last, when Mr. Murray was entertained at a valedictory gathering by some of his most intimate friends prior to Ills departure for Huiroa. Mr. Murray was presented with a lllver match box and a silver cigarette holder In remembrance of his short s'ny in Pungarehti The recipient suitably responded, after which "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow" was sung tvith Croat gusto. A dainty little supper was handed round by the liulir.i/nnd the erening's entertainment appeared to bo thoroughly enjoyed by all present, phonograph solectlons filing in part of the evening. Many changes have lately taken place amongst the residents of the Pungarehu district,, due mostly to the change of ownership of property, did settlers selling out and new ones taking tbelr placos, but probably none of these has affected so many persons and families, nor made so much difference to tho district generally as tho departure of Mr. W. H. Keasbury. The settlers generally will very much regret the loss of Air. Keasbury, as ho has endeared himself to the people and Ills splendid work will never be forgotten. He has now commenced' operations from Ist. Inst, on his own account, having bought over the Waren, Store, and ho will receive tho best wishes of a host of people lu bis new venture. Those who attended tho farewell social and dance tendered to Mr. Kcarslmry cannot but say that they were well rewarded. There was never a dull momont. This very enthusiastic gathering at the hall on July 30, on the eve of his departure, proved how well he was appreciated by his follow settlers, many of whom came from n distance to do him honor.

I understand that' Mr. Keasbury has disposed of, his property and land conneeted therewith to Mr. W. James, a returned Boldler, who Intends to go In for milking. This should be good news to suppliers, as every farm lying Idle ns regards milk productions i's a direct handicap to tlio community. Mr. W. Hughson, Kahotu, conducted the service at the Methodist Church here on Sunday evening last. Despite the Inclement weather there was, for Pungarehu, a fair attendance, and the preacher was listened to with Interest by-those present. Since the departure of Mr. and Mrs. J. Hughson to Opunake some months ago, tho Sunflay School In connection with tho local Methodist Church had fallen into abeyance. The school, which proved of great assistance to the young to mind their footsteps, lias been again successfully revived by two ladles of the district, Mesdames fiaynor and layman. The Sunday School is being conductod by Airs. A. Raynor, and the children meet every Sunday morning at 11 o'clock in the Methodist Church. The parents by sending along their children every Sunday morning will be greatly assisting Mrs. Raynor In her etTorts to keep the school going for the children's benefit. Miss Hervon, who was tho guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. Eaynor for a few weeks lately, has Itone to stay at Opunake for a time, but fa expected to return bore for a short holiday later.

The latest reports regarding the local cases «t present in Hie hospital at New Plvmouth aro most favorable, all being well on" the road towards recovery.

Tho weather for some timo hack has been very cold and wet, and no growth of any kind Is observed The ground Is soaked with water, find farmers are having a. disagreeable timo Stock in this district generally Is In good condition, and breeding ewes are reported to be doing well. A good lambing season is looked for. Eti'?llent progress has been mndn and tho finishing touches are now being applied to tho loslde work" of the house to lie occupied later by the new manager, Mr. W. McKenna, recently appointed to the Cape Egmont Store Department. Tho alterations, etc., made, are a credit to the factory manager and his staff, who performed them. Tho body of a young man was found on MOll- ■ day last In one of tho rivers, which runs across the Main South Road at Pungarehu, and has Ijeen identified as that of a voung Maori, named Tarn la Hnrwood, of the district. Constable O'Neill, of Rahotu, being notified, lie recovered the body, and had It convoyed to Parihaka. On the bank were his coat and hat and a small empty bottle. It appears Harwood when last seen was very much depressed over a went liners. A tangl will in all likelihood he held at Parihaka, DURHAM ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent) For the past few weeks we have been experiencing what may be called intermittent weather, sufficiently cold and wet to almost preclude outside work to be done. Nevertheless, It. has been a great Improvement on what .Be experienced this time -Inst year There is every sign of an early Spring, and given a fair "go" during the equinox, one ran safely predict, tho 1919-192(1 season will bo a record. The welcome social held In the school on Friday last to Messrs P. T. Hodges, M. Crcan, A MeEwen and W. Salisbury was very largelv attended, visitors from all round tho district putting in an appearance. A very enjoyable evening concluded about 2.30 a.m It is the intention of the Durham residents to present each of the soldiers who received 0 ssnd-otr at various times during the war with an illuminated address, which at present Is in the hands of the printers. The dato of the function necessarily cannot be at present fixed and In some quarters . It has been suggested that the Inglowood Town Hall be engaged for the occasion. There Is no doubt the school will not be abie to cope with the attendance to do honor to the returned soldiers, and no doubt more will be heard regarding the matter as time goes 011. Twelve men left tills district and eloven returned. Mr Arthur Brldgeman, son of Mr J. H. Brldgeman, now of Westown, New Plymouth. having made the supreme sacrifice. A memorial containing an enlarged photograph of the deceased soldier combined with a honor board Is to be installed in the school at a later date. Tho annual meeting of tho Maketawa factory, to which Durham creamcrv is connected is, I understand, to be held at the factorv on the 14th inst The largo amount of wood wanted from tills district for both the factory and creamery, and factory, and also a fair amount to other parts severely taxed tho mod surface tills year and necessitated a deal of patching which lias been duly attended to by tho Road Board's staff Mr. J Dean, who, recently purchased Sir. M Dodunski's farm, has taken up his residence thereon. A party of returned soldiers have for some time now been encaged at wood-splitting on Mr. J. Shield's farm, and judging by the many stacks of wood received from the road lure been playing Old Harry with the stud suitable for firewood. Tills portion of the district was known 111 olden time as the "Ironsnnd Rlock" (why, I dunno), and contains an Immense quantity of timber suitable for firewood, posts, etc., and at the present time should prove remunerative to men wanting work. The humbug anent the rallwav service Is causing much discomfort, and aiso dissatisfaction. and judging by remarks one hears from friends 111 many parts of tho district Is adding more nails into llio so-called "National Government.." Supporters of this kind of "National Government" or the methods bv which such was elected will have a difficult job to explain to the electors In the near future. Muddle from start to finish. By tho way, where Is all tho patriotism one was fed with per rhetoric, etc, a few months ago? A par In your paper of Tuesday in the report of the coal conference needs the dose attention of all readers. Please allow me to repent itMr Alison (for tho Compnnles), referring to tho remark by Mr. Arbuckle (for the miners), that the Slate mine was printable. said It was bccnusc the conditions under which It worked were so different. It paid no taxes, no royalty, and no dividends to shareholders." Does this not affect the price of coil to dairy companies? It ought to satisfy Ihc most sceptical that tho sooner tho whole of the mines were controlled liy the people themselves (i.e. the State), the better for all True co-operation would mean that, and the miner would get bettor conditions for work living, and old age, and tho rest of the community a cheaper fuel. Truly we are a selfish, blinded lot. WAI-TOI-TOI. (Prom Our Own Correspondent) Taking advantage of the slack season, the Wal-toi-tol Dairy Company have just installed a most up-to-date freezing chamber, the old one being totally inadequate and causing intirh inconvenience to tile staff. The chamber, which Is 12ft. by Bft by 9Et high, outside measurement, Is comprised of a doublo wall of concrete with a core of pumleo sln In thickness, carefully reinforced throughout. On the top is a chilled water tank surrounded with a fourInch concrete wall, with pumice in between. The chamber Is capable of holding 100 boxes of butter, besides a considerable quantity of cream, and In hot weather will prove very convenient to suppliers who are permitted to freeze their Christmas lamb or beef Mr Berrv, of Pulmcrston North, Is the patentee of the «v! tha work «u ™rrl«rf eat b« u*

P. Spurr, uniler the supervision of the manager, Mr W. Taylor, who are to be complimented on the creditable manner In which they have carried out the work.

The local factory presented quite a scene of activity for a couple of dayi last week, when a working bee was formed for the purpose of removing the whey tank from Its present rather stiff up-hill pull after the suppliers him received their whey, to a more suitable site on level ground and closer to the main building. Tlio operation was carried out successfully, and together with the hot water service, which will be so arranged that both the whey and hot water can be taken at the same time, will prove a boon to the suppliers during the coming season.

I understand that a syndicate Is being formed, composed of returned men, the object being to enter into negotiations with the Government for the purpose of purchasing a portion of Mr l'\ Bundell's properly, which has been under offer for some time, for small dairy farms. The land referred to Is eininently suitable, being situated within a couple of miles of tho factory, and adjacent to the road leading to I'ukearuhe, which is metalled right past the property. This Is another step in the right direction, and developments will be awaited with interest.

When the Wal-tol-tol dairy factory was built some four years ago, a large number of people! considered that St would be somewhat of u "white elephant" and altogether too large for the requirements of tho district. Ab events are turning out, those who had faith in the future of the district as a dairying proposition are having their confidence justified, as indications of a largely Increased milk supply are becoming more apparent every season. The recent spell of fine weather has been most welcome, and top-dressing has been going on actively in various parts of the district. Fertilising in these days of high prices Is a most expensive operation, but If we are to have the Increased production which is being called for over the whole Empire, It cannot very well be done without, as many pastures are feeling the want of assistance which was unavoidably denied during the war. A most pleasant afternoon tea, followed by a dance In the evening, was held In the Okoke schoolroom on Friday last, advantage being taken of tho occasion to bid farewell to. Miss Foster, who has held the position of teacher for the past two years. Mr P. Darke, In a few suitable remarks, presented Miss Foster with a handsome handbag on behalf of the residents of tho district, and expressed their regret at her departure. Miss K. Taylor, late of the Piko School .succeeds Miss Foster. I hear that Mr E. B. Sutton, who recently disposed of his farm In this district to Messrs Johnston Bros, has purchased a farm In Inglewood, and Intends to continue dairying. Mr Sutton's many friends in Wai-tol-toi and elsewhere will wish him every success in his new venture. Tho married ladies' plain and fancy dress ball, which takes place in the Urennl Hall on Thursday next, promises to be most successful, as extensive preparations are being made to ensure an enjoyable evening. As the ball Is in aid of the district memorial fund, no doubt a pneked hall will reward the committee for their efforts. The annual meeting of the Wal-tol-tol Dairy Company will be held at tho factory on the 13th Inst., when the annual report and balanco sheet will be received and other matters connected with tho year's working discussed.