DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (Fran Our Own Correspondent.) It is estimated that, to meet the tremendous demand for houses, thousands more residences are needed in New Zealand. The present position Is causing consternation to a largo proportion of the populace. It is being accentuated by peop.e, dazzled by the high prices offered for houses, selling their homes and then finding themselves unable .to get others. Side by side with the clamant need lor the erection of dwellings is the scarcity and doarness of ''building timbers. In these circumstances It has become necessary to look elsewhere for building material. I'ortunately there is an ample supply throughout tho Dominion of the Ingredients of concrete, and houses constructed of this substance may soon become as popular as timber has been hitherto. It appears there are two methods to follow in building with concrete. In connection with the Government contract with a Wellington builder to erect slity-slx concrete dwellings, it Is proposed that the concrete walls of these State erections shall be solid. Some people, however, prefer the use of hollow walls, for they assert that there is great risk of dampness with solid walls. These ore only regarded again as suitable for tropical countries. It is also urged, with great show of reason, that cavity .walls give better results. But the question, I think, is really one that may well be left for experts to decide. In regard to the fruit yield In this and surrounding districts, the prospects are fairly good In a number of orchards, but the Indications' are for higher yields In this, especially. In regard to stone fruit. Both orchards and gardens are suffering from the continued dry weather. Housewives are > forced to be very careful In the use of water these times. There was a good yarding of stock at the Bahotu sale on Friday, the 19th. The Pungarehu Athletic Ciub is expected to be re-formed shortly, and a football club Is one of the probabilities of the near future. The adjustments at the Pungarehu billiard room aro almost complete and the room is flow In use. On Sunday, the 21st Inst., a Methodist service was conducted In the local church by Mr. Parker, of Warea. Mass was also celebrated at the local Catholic church. The visit to Pungarehu of the New Plymouth Citizens' Band has now been postponed till some time in February or March. The general health of the Pungarehu district Is very satisfactory at present. The local school broke up on the evening of the 15th for the usual summer vacation. As usual In Pungarehu, the recording of votes was carried out on Wednesday, the 17th, In a quiet and orderly manner. In tho evening a good crowd collected round the post offlco window to hoar the results as they came to hand, and considerable interest was evinced. There were several surprises to moßt people, the defeat of Sir Joseph Ward being one of the greatest. Mr. S. G. Smith's win was even greater than the majority of the people thought It would be.

I hear that there is another piece of land in this district to be shortly offered to the Government for settlement for returned soldiers Though not being at liberty to Btate the figure to be asked. It may be mentioned that if land Is really wanted the price should not stand In the way, as the property is situated near Ihe main south road, within a reasonable distance of the factory.

It Is when money is plentiful that a progressive policy should be adopted. For instance, it is quite Obvlou3 that much of the land, particularly Maori land, Is being badly neglected. Noxious weeds are increasing with alarming rapidity while in some parts the land is being allowed to deteriorate. This cannot go on for ever. The limit must be reached sooner or later. It would be better to face the position at once by taking united action for tho extermination of noxious weeds, as well as keeping up the quality of the soil It is reported that eight cows in the Waluku district gave 410 lbs of butter-fat during the month of October.

PUKEARUHE. (From a Correspondent.) The school concert was hold on Friday zoning, there being 63 present, some coming from as far as Urenui. The prizes for the year were presented by Mr. p. Wells (chairman) , most of the children gaining them. The cohcert was a credit to the school-mistress (Mrs. Cartwrlght), the children being well trained. . Several old pupils of the school gava pianoforte solos and duets: Mr. Lambert pleased tho audience very much with his I comic songs, the best being, "Climb up Children, Climb." Miss C. Weils sang very charmingly. Mrs Cleaver also sang two very good songs which were well applauded Messrs. Francis and Merryman contributed pleasing recitations. At the conclusion of the concert supper was handed round and enjoyed by t'l. Dancing was afterwards indulged In tii) the early ' hours of the morning. Mr. J, Lambert proved himself a very capable M.C and kept things moving. At the close of the dancing three hearty cheers were given for Mrs. Cartwrlght, tile proceedings closing with the singing of the National Anthem. The tests at the factory are fairly high, the highest being 4.5. There is to be a picnic at ihe beach on Boxing Day. Mr. Gregg is doing good work with his Fordson tractor, it being far ahead of horses. WAITOITOI. (Pram Our Own Correspondent.) The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the local school took place on Thursday afternoon. There was a good attendance of parents, and during ihe afternoon the ladles dispensed tea, etc., which was great,y appreciated. Games and impromptu sports were indulged in and tho youngsters enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Mr. Wm Taylor (chairman of the ihe School Commltee) read the Inspector's annual reprt, and, in doing so, congratulated the teacher (Miss Nolan), and tho children ou the excellent progress made during tho year. He then presented the prizes, addressing a few remarks to each recipient. Pollowing the usual custom, each child received a book, and special prizes were awarded as under: (Mr. .1, F, Phillips' for highest points gained in inspector's examination), boys, S. Phillips and R. Taylor, equal; girls, Hazel Phillips. M.r. P. Spur's prize for general proficiency), Roy Taylor. Committee's prize lor most popular boy and girl, to be decided by the children, Roy Taylor (13 votes), Hazel Phillips (5 rotes). .Mis. w. Taylor's first prize for sewing was won by Lily Phi.lips, and Mrs Phillips' second prize was awarded to Rene Taylor. Airs. Musker, who Judged the various exhibits, also gave a specia. prize of lis, which was won by Hazel Phillips, The teacher's prizes for spelling wore won by Hazel Phillips and Charlotte Sanson. Mrs. Taylor's prizes for neatest books, Grace Glassford 1, Marjorie Taylor 2, Hazel Phillips, and Rene U'ayior receiving special mention. The chairman then' presented, on behalf of Mr, P. R. Spurr, Amy* Phillips and Olive Spurr (aged ll and 10 respectively), with a doll each, as a reward for the manner in which they had assisted during the hay-making, both of these little girls having driven tue horse which worked the stacker, and saved the labor of a boy or man. This conc.uded the proceedings, and the schooi for the summer vacation. The excitement of the election having now subsided, people are looking forward to the holiday season, and tho Taranakl Jockey Club's Christmas meeting is sure to attract a large number of visitors from this end. We have a couple of representatives running at the meeting, and no doubt their performances will bo watched with interest, and should either of them get home a goofl dividend will place local punters on good terms with themselves. On Tuesday evening last a most successful concert was held in the Urenui Hall, when Mr. Frank Amoore, the popular tenor, assisted by Mr. R Farmer, and Alias Kerr-Duncan performed to a good house. Mr. Armuure, io reititcd to Mr. E. Amoore, who for some timo carried on business as a blacksmith and wheelwright In Urenui, and was well received, while Mr. Farmer is always sure of a hearty welcomo In Urenui. Miss Kerr-Duncan's artistic performance on the piano was also much appreciated At the conclusion of the concert a nice little dance was held.