DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WANTOI-TOI. (From Our' Own Correspondent). Last week, Hiss Beryl Sowry gave a most successful concert in the Urenul Hall, the Items of which were chiefly contributed by that lady's pianoforte pupils. The hall was well filled, and the performers acquitted themselves very creditably, the action songs and the recitations by Master E. Aroa, of Uruti, being especially well received. Mr. Newton, of Kalpiltari also assisted with the voilin. At the conclusion of the concert a most enjoyable dance was held. The proceeds, which amounted, to about £9, are, I understand, to be devoted to the hall supper room fund, and Miss Sowry is to be complimented on the success which attended her efforts to make the evening pass off so enjoynbly. If other centres patronised New Plymouth on tho same scale as this end, there must have been a large crowd in town on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, as there was a record number of motor buses and. cars travailing through on both days. Despite tho damp conditions on the first day of the races visitors speak well of the manner In which tho arrangements were carried out, and though our local horses did not manage to secure a race, they may be heard of to better advaijtase later on. Mr. C- A. Wilkinson, of Eltham, who usually spends a few weelts by the seaside in this district during the summer months, has lately acquired a piece of property adjoining the beach at Wal-iti, and has erected a most comfortab'e bungalow cottage close to the sea thereon, together with ft commodious motor ear garage. Mr. Wilkinson and faunlly are at present in occupation of their new residence. It is reported that Mr. A. H. Halcombe, who has for so many years been farming on his property close to Urenul, has recently disposed of the same to a Hawke's Bay buyer at a satisfactory figure. I am also informed that Mr. Roger Greenwood, another very old resident, whose farm adjoins that of Mr. Balcombe, has also Sold out. Hay-inaking. operations are now commencing 111 this district, and although tho earlier crops are not so heavy as last year, the Tecent rains and warmer weather will have the effect of improving the later ones, and the rapid growth of clovers, etc , is now. becoming daily more apparent. There are some excellent "takes" of swede turnips, the germination being greatly assisted by the welcome showers of the past woeb or two, whilst those who have gone in for soft turnips for autumn feed have a fair prospect of good results. Some of tho mangold crops have suffered rather severely from a species of grub, or caterpillar, which seems, to attack the roots and totally destroy the! plant, but there should be a. fair suopiy of this most useful accessory to winter fodder.