DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent) All anxiety regarding tho Influenza epidemic has not yet entirely disappeared as far as Pungarehu residents are concerned. Advice lias been received to the effect that the deaths which have occurred recently at Parihaka, although all are not directly traced to Influenza, some have most assuredly been influenza cases. These came as a most unpleasant surprise to the folks of this little coastal settlement, who were confident that the epidemic has been practically wiped out. The cause of this fresh outbreak nt rarlhaka is undoubtedly due to the great number of tangis which have been held lately, and which ore at present being performed. It was the general opinion at the time of the lnuflenza epidemic of last, year that all gatherings such as tnngls should be barred until the Government gave permission for Ihcir renewal, but apparently this order has been treated as a mere scrap of paper, for In the last eight months tangis have been of a monthly occurrence, Maoris coming from all parts to participate In tho functions. The school committee have now taken the matter In hand, with the result that on Thursday last the Health Inspector from New Plymouth paid a visit to Parihaka with a fair amount of material for disinfecting purpose?.. On the Inspector's report being received of tho conditions prevailing at Parihaka-, the committee decided, as the attendance is made up of from 1G to 20 Maori children, to close tho school this week Instead of next week, when the spring holidays commence. Let It be understood that tho school premises will be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected before the school re-opens on the Ist September. The committee will then decide on the Health Inspector's report whether It is advisable or otherwise to reopen or further extend tho dosing period. Since tho days of economy have come upon Us through a cruel war, and kindling wood from the wood vendors has advauced in price, gorse has been found to bo more valuable than the prico placed upon it by the people in genoral. Some good husbands living In the vicinity of the mountain, who have a plentiful supply of this noxious weed to draw upon, have been seen recently, some Willi gloves on audi others braving the prickly spikes that abound] on tho weed, gathering It In, more especially on Sunday morning, In preparation for tho Are to boil the clothes on the morrow. When broken up it Is found to be a ready burner, and to give a good heat. The local school commlttoe wish it to tie made known that there are something like twenty pine trees in the school grounds which can bo had 'for the taking down. A meeting of the general committee of the Pungarehu Hall and all those Interested will be held on Saturday evening next. New members will be elected, and tho question of finance, etc, will be discussed. The now wellrecognised fact that tho Pungarehu Hall badly needs enlargement has beoti particularly noticeable on some of the functions held lately, and It Is to be hoped step 3 will be taken to remedy this serious drawback. Those who attended the welcome homo- social and dance at Rahotu Hall on Tuesday .evening, the 19th , had a very pleasant tune. A feature of the dance was tho number of returned soldiers present. A number of pleasing vocal items, etc., were contributed by settlers. The floor Is a very good one for dancing, and delightful music was supplied. Those in charge of the arrangements aro to be congratulated on the manner In which they were carried out. Stock prices are apparently on the increase. As an instance of tho Inconvenience to which some people are put as a result of the shortage of housing accommodation, the survey party, who are at present subdividing tho 3130 acres of the Parihaka block, are living In the Pungarehu. billiard room. Building around this locality Is practically at a standstill, and there is little prospect of an Improvement for some timo to come. A pleasant little gathering was held in Pungarehu on the 22nd Inst, when a few friends met together to while away a few hours of the night. The evening was spent in playing cards, etc., a dainty little supper being provided by the ladies. A wedding at Opttnake on the 20th Inst, had local interest in that the bridegroom was a Pungarehu resident, Mr Jack Barrett, and tne bride was Miss M. Cross, daughter of a well known Opunake resident. The ceremony was conducted by father Doolaghty. Another wedding of much local Interest was celebrated on August 21st, when Miss M. Taylor was united In matrimony to Mr 11. repperlll, the Rev. Strand officiating. The presents were numerous and costly on each occasion, and the best, of wishes are extended them from the Pungarehu residents, and of their many friends for their futuro welfare and happiness. On Thursday evening there was a very Jolly party arranged at. very short, notice bv Messrs I. and S. Taylor for Mr and Mrs Pepperill, who were given a very hearty reception. During the evening dancing was Indulged in, and all present, to the number of about 40, spent a iiapy time. The horse-cover which mysteriously disappeared last week has been recovered.

WAI-TOI-TOI. A most enjoyable afternon tea was given to the children on Saturday afternoon last by' Mrs Wm. Taylor for the purpose of enabling the young ones to bid farewell to Masters T and M. Sutton and Misses Edith and Mavis Sutton, who, with their parents, have left this district to reside in luglewood There were also present Mesdnmes Sly, Spurr, and Wllllson, and Misses Nolan (teacher of Mimi school) and Dempster, of the Uronui school, all of whom rendered valunblo asistanco in entertaining the juvenile guests Games and music were endulged In during the afternoon, and at 3 30 alt sat down to a most dainty repast, the tables being tastefully decorated, and it is needless to say ample justice was accorded to tho good tilings provided. After tea, Mrs Taylor, in apologising for the unavoidable absence of Mr Taylor, on behalf of the children expressed the regret they all felt at the departure of their young playmates, who had made many friends during their sojourn In Wai-toi-to!. Should they at any tlmo come back all would bo pleased to welcome tliein, and trusted they would make many friends and enjoy happiness and prosperity In their now home. The singing of "for they aro jolly good fellows" brought a very successful gathering to an end, and the thanks of the young ones are most certainly due to the hostess for her thoughtfulneas in providing them with an opportunity of aaylng good-bye to their school fellows. A very successful dance was held in tho Urenul Hall on Thursday evening last, the proeeds of which are holng devoted to the enlargement of the supper room. Miss A. Terrlll presided at the piano most satisfactorily, and Mr D. George officiated as M.C., In his usual satisfactory manner. During tho evening light refreshments were banded round, and all present enjoyed themselves quite thoroughly. At his usual fortnightly lecture In the schoolroom on Friday, evening last, Mr. Perkins chose as his subjects "Love of Nature," and the reading of good books, and explained to bis young audlenco the benefit and advantages to-be gained thereby in a simple and telling manner that was thoroughly appreciated by the children, of whom there were quite a fair number present Mr. Perkins Is to ho commended for the Interest he Is evincing in tho welfare of the little ones in (he district, and it is inj to know that his efforts are recognised by both, old and young. On his return to Waltara last week, Mr. Per-' kins met with what might have been a very serious accident. It appears that the whipplotroo of the gig In which lie was driving, accompanied by Mr Graham, broke, and the HOrSe got out of control. Luckily Mr Graham managed to get to the animal's head, and Mr, Perkins escaped with a severe shaking. Owing to tlie almost, prohibitive prices of fencing material, hedge planting has become quite prevalent amongst tho farms in .this, district, and every season sees a few more' old wire fences, that have more than served their time, done away with. lioxthom is sniplant chiefly favored, owing to its rapid.growth and the shelter afforded when matured',' as well as being almost impenetrable by stock. Tree planting Is a matter which might with profit bo . carried-on extensively, as.4t la, only .a question of time when firewood will bo as hard-to-praeure as .aanLisjit- ptesent — There 'lsflt' Teal gdotl - ortentng -for an enterprising nig breeder in .fcbls part of the-province, Wetng paid for brecdnifr'sovVs or'strives,' otfl nhtl'ymifigi'ln fart, ILgis ttiajd tfl,,nrocju'e. any kind of a "KlntUihw-uiiw pay? tlfc i'tii't? at. 1 :* figure that will leave a fair margin of profit, even at tlie high prices that are being paid by the ha eon factories Matters political a're nriw- being discussed freely, and'speculation Is rife as. to what particular kujd of brnnd of Government wo are to be trcnisd to for the next three years. One idea, seems,.. /airly prevalent, and that is what ever pai'Uv.. handles the ribbons, it will bo up to them to have a clearing sale'of all "red tape'' in stock, and address themselves in an ordinary business manner to, slich small matters as the speedy and close settlement of the higher class lands, hydro-elcctrlcal schemes, shipping facilities, and backblock roadin'g. etc.. that is if we arc to have the increased production which are being continually told is tho only thing to save us from national bankruptcy.

WAIKATO NOTEa. (By a Tariinaki-lte) Teoplo hero nro prclictlnc an onrlj spring, ami along tl«s JlJie- fruit trees are In full bloom (grins also la showing up very green.) It seems that king pig Is going to deposo queen cow ns n money-maker. An auctioneer, reporting last week, said: "Owing to. excited bidding weaner pigs fetched the exlrebie figure of £:! Is," but on Thursday when the excited conditions were absent the weaner pigs sold for more money—£H S» Od. For months, if not years, beds were unprocurable at Hamilton, but now, thanks to rail"cut" the hotel 9 '*"-•-■" the bora}', are run*

nine °n low Gear. This Is also responsible for the absence of Taranakl. men. There has only been two here this weokl Previously one would meet mure Taranakl men bete thin they would at home. Elsewhere reference Is made to the Monaval Holstcins, which have put tip the record for the hemisphere. This reminds me how well Taranakl Holsteins do here. On one of Mr W. B. Wright's places, where he has ]SO black and whites supplying Mntangl glaxo factory, the test Is amongst tho highest. Any Taranakl man coming here to dairy and leaving his cows behind, should adopt Shakespear's remarks as his motto: "Write mo down an ass!" for, owing to the Infatuation of the old settlers for • purebred Shorthurns (let It be clearly understood not milking Shorthorns), a beefy breed has sprung up which is driving so many to Taranakl for real dairy sorts.

Changes and rising prices are the order of the day, and the man who has not sold out or bought in Is a rarity or an oddity. Recently eight men sat at the smoke room fire. I'iio had just bought In, two had sold and not yet .re-purchased, and one was an agent.

Two shillings and fourpence lias bean paid out for milk for glaxo at Matangl last season. Peoplo should not confound glaxo with dried milk. Tho market has been made for the former, but tho latter has to find a market. As 2.8 butterfat is only required for glaxo, and as all fat above that is only worth Is lid per lb but is being paid for at the rate of 2s 4d per lb, tho question of standardised milk Is coming to tho front, and when tho three breed associations take up the matter, as they Intend to, milk will be paid for on a sane and economically sound basis. Mrs A. Smith, who has been some months at New Plymouth, has returned to her home In Pungarehu. Mr P. W. Grenfell has resumed his duties at the Cape Eginont lighthouse, releasing Mr W. Quickenden, who has been acting temporary keeper during tho illness of Mr Grenfell.

Miss Nellie Fleming Is home again after spending n most enjoyable holiday in Hawera. The dairying season, which is now opening, promises well. Already factories, Including the local, are receiving satisfactory supplies, and the outlook, generally speaking, is good. The weather lately has been very mild, with tho result that tho grass, etc., Is beginning to come away nicely, and unless there Is a setback indications point to a good spring. Sheep, too, are now doing well, and some lambs which lftve made their appearance appear to be perfectly healthy.