DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent). A Pungarehu residence was the scene of a. very enjoyable evening party last week Pianoforte solos and cards were 'lndulged In until near midnight, when a dainty supper was provided. Then all were sorry to depart, but they acknowledged they had had a very delightful tune.

If rumor tells true. It la quite on the cards that New Zealand may witness an attempt by the i>( i>le to check profiteering, particularly in the sale of local produce. It appears that a number of persons, who identities are not yet disclosed, were working towards the establishment of a consumers' league on American lines The aim of the league would be to fix a reasonable price for commodities, enforcing its views by judicious application of Its combined strength to the more flagrant offenders. In the Initial stages the league would deal chiefly with the price of commodities produced iu New Zealand, as to judge what was a fair profit on local lines would generally be easier than to judge what was a fair profit on Imported lines. , The first of a series of social dances, the proceeds to augment the funds of the Wares Hall Committee, was held in the Warea Hall ou the e eiiinjj of tho 31st December, 1919. Owing to the strong attractions at New Plymouth and elsewhere on New Year's Eve, there was a very sparse attendance. Miss Pearson provided the music and Mr. P. Glbbins acted as M.C. An oxcellent supper was provided. The question of hydro-electric power for dairying factories is not receiving the attention It deserves, and It Is hard to understand tho apathy shown in regard to works for our own district. I am given to understand that the rivers would provide sufficient power for a suitable area, to enable it to be produced cheaply, and If the matter Is closely examined, it will be made palpable that it is time to get to work. New Year's Day, 1920, came in overcast and showery, but in spite of this many journeyed forth on pleasure bent, some to Opunake and New Plymouth, and Borne to friends' hospitable home 3. Election talk still fills the air, but the sooner It Is dropped the better. The vote has been recorded, and, as Mr. Buckerldge states, they must all abide by the result. He has taken his dafeat like a man.

A Methodist service was conducted in the local Methodist Church on Sunday last by the Rev. C. Strand. Services were also held hi the Anglican and Catholic Churches on the same day. Mr. P. Norrls, of the local factory, has relinquished his position there, having joined the Kahul Dairy Factory staff as first assistant under Mr. C. J. Shrimpton. Local residents were well represented at New Plymouth amongst the huge crowds on New Year's Eve.

The billiard room recently established In Pungarehu, as the result of the efforts of Mr. H. Tynan, Is being well patronised.

Most unseasonable weather has prevailed during the past few weeks, and light rain has fallen on several days since the middle of December. The conditions generally have varied from wintry to summer weather, and th) frequent changes havo been rapid and unexpected. It Is stated that what little rain has fallen during the past few weeks has been quite insufficient to do any practical good, and that in many districts it barely penetrated below the surface of the ground. A large number of visitors to Pungarehu for the holiday season are in evidence these times

From a business point of view the Christmas and New Yoar time was better than any similar period for several years past, although business was affected to a certain extent on account of the general shortage of certain goods.

One of the features of the holiday shopping horo and clsewhero has been the fact that notwithstanding high prices people appear to have been able to purchase on a far more generous scale than usual l-i ninny Instances prices appeared to be nt ■■■\- consideration as long as the cuslm - . able to got the goods they wanted d they confine themselves to what ra ;..:; !e called the cheaper class of goods. In many cases they Insisted on the best, undaunted by the mere question of pounds, shillings and pence. It cannot bo said that tho weather did not make a brave attempt to resnond to the call upon it for nn old-fashioned festive season. A feature of the holidays this time was the fact that the business people made a week end of It both at Christmas and New Year This meant a welcome break for many workers, of which many took full advantage'.