DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI. (Prom Our Own Correspondent). The welcome showers which fell during the past week have been most beneficial to the pastures, as well as the turnips, rape, mangolds etc., as the drying winds which have prevailed for some time paßt retarded growth. Visitors from Hawke's Bay and down the line have all remarked how well things are looking In this district as compared with other parts. Stock owners In Hawke's Bay are experiencing a most anxious thne, and, if no rain comes shortly, cattle and sheep will suffer most severely. Even round Kltham and Hawera fanmers are being obliged to turn the cowb Into the hay paddocks, whilst the heavy frost of a week or so ago completely ruined some crops of soft turnips and potatoes. We, in this vicinity, seem to escape most of these extremes .of dryness and cold, and have a lot to be thankful for. At a meeting of the Wal-tol-to! Dairy Company, hold last week, Mr. C. McKlnley Wllllson was appointed a director to nil the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. J R sly who has recently left the district. On Thursday evening last a meeting of the School Committee was held, Mr W Taylor (chairman) presiding. There were also present Messrs. I. F. Phillips, p. Spurr, and Geo. Baker. • The Inspector's report on the oast years working of the school was read, and was most satisfactory, reflecting great credit on the manner in which the teacher (Miss Nolan) had carried out her duties. It was resolTea tUftt the school should break up on the 16th Inst for the summer vacation, and that the disrlbulon of prizes take place or the afternoon of Jhat date, also that the children should invite their paronts and friends to he present. Special prizes were offered by Messrs. Phillips and Spurr and Mrs. W Taylor. The secretary reported that he had written several letters to the Educa'lon Board on matters connected with the school, and had received no acknowledgment. After discussion, it was agreed that the Board be notified that If they could not see their way to answer communications rolating to the welfare of the school, the Committee would decline to continue In office and resign In a body, the feeling being that it was useless for them to try and conduct the businsss of the school If they received no assistance from the Board.

Mr. Perkins paid a Tlslt to Walt-tol-tol on Friday evening last and gave an address In the schoolroom and considering the busy season, taero was a fair attendance. The gentleman's remarks were listened to with interest by all present, and- during the evening several hymns wera sung.

Mr. and Mrs. Sid. Sutton are now residing once more amongst us, and are living on the property recently acquired from Mr. F. Blundell. With the aid of his Fordson tractor Mr - Sutton has a large area under cultivation, and Is also making extensive improvements, to his residence, which, whon completed, will make it most convenient and attractive. PUNGAREHU. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) The Christmas and New Tear holidays are close at hand, and some of thoso who have the time but not the means to travel far are reminded that the Opunake Seaside Improvement Society are making the beach specially Xftte 2SSSSS nnUclpato a busy tlme The Brooklyn Comedy Company had a full house on Friday night last. Tho dance that followod was very »orly patronised A large number of persons went from Pungarehu to the social and dance at Oaonui last Fr day evening in support of the Oaonui candidate at the Opunake Queen Carnival. There was a record attendance. The floor was well prepared, the usual goad music was supplied and an excellent supper was provided It is rumored that tho ladies of the district ! are going to get up entertainments to raise funds for hall Improvements. If this is done, the alterations should soon be an accomplished

Quite a number of local residents went to on Tuesday evening to hear the Diggers, and some of them considered the performance one of the best they had ever attended. There are Tumors that the directors of'the local cheese factory contemplate eniargine the premises. Tho Parlhaka Block, when opened up for settlement, will doubtless Increase the number of suppliers. In connection with the blackberry on the Parlhaka Block, it Is pleasing to report (for the information of returned soldiers) that the head surveyor considers tho weed growth not nearly so bad as stated. Speaking generally, he says the majority of tho sections aro made I'JL r„ f 3t , D c l a3B lnnd - The sections range from 50 to 180 ncrcs, and with a little close attention at flrst Bhould secure good returns for the settlers in the future. This part of the district does not seem to be etTected by such drought conditions as arc evident elsewhere. In South Taranakl I understand much anxiety Is felt with regard to shortage of feed, which will mean a serious blow to production In every way. Cultivation is going on steadily in this locality and more lahd than usual is being put down for autumn and winter feed. Mr. C. Armstrong, who purchased Mr. Kcasberrys property, is busily engaged at proseut in improving tho appearance of the residence. Per report of the Education Board, it is soen tint plans have been prepared for a teacher's residence, and application has been made to the Education Department at Wellington for same. After an -exceedingly good run of flno weather rain set In on Saturday morning and being of the' warm variety it should do a lot of good. It will require a couple of days' good downpour to make any market difference in the appearance of the grass. According to recent Teports, the pig Wkot Is much easier, but the Christmas hami still remain scarce.