DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The directors of tho local dairy factory held their monthly meeting on Saturday last. The company's new generai store Is approaching completion, and it is expected that the official opening will take place in the course of a few weeks. A Pungarehu residence was tho scene or a very enjoyable evening party on Tuesday of last we ait. Pianoforte soios, vocal solos, and cards were indulged in until near midnight, when a dainty sapper was provided. Methodist, Albican and Catholic services were held in ilio *ocal churches on Sunday last, Mr. E Taylor, Rev. C. Addenbrooke and the Jiev. Fatuer Doolaghty conducting same respectively. Miss S. M. Goodfellow and Miss M. A. Turner, of Wellington, are among the visitors to Pungurehu, and are the guests of Miss Alyward. Mrs. M. Walker, of Wangtuiui, and family, who have been visitiug. Pungarehu, being the guests of Mr. and Mrs. S. Armstrong for the past two weeks, return home early this week. Mr. S. D. Pope, who spent' the holiday season in Pungarehu, has also returned to Wellington and resumed his previous duties. yuite a large number of local residents travelled to New Plymouth on Thursday evening of last week to hear the performance or the N.S.W. Orchestra. They were well rewarded.

The local factory staff has again neen reduced, Mr. W. Beuls having resigned to seek pastures new. There are no infectious diseases reportable in the Pungarehu district at present, and It is hoped 1«20 will continue with a clean sheet in so far as contagious epidemics are concerned. The district was never healthier.

A movement is oil foot to have a sports gathering in Pungarehu at Easter. The noxious weeds inspector has been very busy this while back issuing notices to clear gorse, and it will be seen by the Egmont Council's report that the matter has been submitted to the Council's solicitor for the enforcement of the penalty upon all occupiers of land who have not complied with this notice. There is no doubt that drastic action Is necessary re the gorse nuisance, which is becoming worse every year, and unless some jteps are taken to compel owners and occupiers to clear gorse, some of the land will be overrun by it. x . There was a good yarding of stock at the ftahotu sale on Friday. The hay crops in all districts this year are afiuch lighter than was the case last year, the season having been a very dry one, whilst in addition the cold winds which ha.ve premailed have not been inducive to heavy crops. Indeed, in some cases it has not been found worth while cutting some of the paddocks that have been shut up for hay, and they ate now being gTazed. White turnips appear to be doing well, so that there should be feed available for the autumn. The potato crop In this district seems to be free from the Wight this season, and .although the potatoes now being dug are somewhat small, the crops generally promise to be good ones. , , The heavy rain which fell recently has caused farmers the greatest satisfaction, and little anxiety is now felt about winter feed ror Stock. The ground was well saturated and all growths benefited. Tho weather lately has been much cooler.