DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI. (From Our Own Correspondent). At a meeting of tho District Committee of the Taranakl Jockey Club, held last week, the programme of the Brutl Beach Races was approved. Tho secretary, Mr. C. Barnltt, has received the necessary permit from the authorities, and the meeting has been arranged to take place on April 1. Training operations are being curried on briskly on the beach, and of the local horses doing good work may be mentioned Doughboy, Ked Klbbon, Takanagnui, Little Mary, Little Hector, and a likely looking gelding by Husbandman—Sliver Beet (although a, hit on the fine .side) is doing strong work, wilh a welter weight up, una is expected tc give a good acount of himself. Though Inaugurated more to form a day's outing than from any Intention of actual racing, the class of horses competing. at the meeting is gutting better every year, and It Is being looked upon by owners as a good opportunity of proving whether their horses are good enough to put ■in training for more important fixtures. White Blaze, Tarero, and other good class performers have made their initial efforts on the Wal-toi-tol beach, and future meetings will no doubt bring others to light, .as' there Ire quite a number of d»-cantly-bred horses in' the district. Since the hurt races, a large sand bank has accumulated just adjacent- the course and forms quite a natural grandstand, which will be greatly appreciated by those wishing to witness the racing. Owing to the Inclement weather the TJrenulAlblort cricket match did not take place on Thursday last as; arranged. . On Thursday evening last a dance was held in the Urenui Hall, the proceeds being devote* to the .Sports Club. There were a fair number of dancers present, and all enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The music supplied by Miss A. TerrUl gave every satisfaction, and Mr. D. George aa MC. carried out his duties most efficiently. During the evening a* nice little supper was handed round, and a brisk trade was carried on In tho soft drinks department. Flounders have been very plentiful In the Mlmi river lately, and on one or two evenings last week the mouth of the river was quite brilliant with tlio lights of the different spearing parties. Needless to say the fish made a most .welcome addition to the breakfast tables of those fortunate enough to secure them. Shark are also In great abundance, and the Natives aro taking full advantage of the occasion to lay In a good stock of this delicacy for the winter. "Dried shark" has a flavor peculiarly its own, and though not much in favor amongst Europeans, is greatly appreciated by the Maoris. Though, pot. advertise* as It might be as a seaside resor.t, it is surprising the number, of people who visit Urenui during tho summer months to spend a short holiday, and there are ample means for those who come to onjoy themselves, as besides good opportunities for fishing and sea bathing, those fond of scenery have only to ride or drive up. the Okoke or Urutl valleys, or historic Pukearuhe, to have their wishes gratified. Amongst tlie soldiers to arrive by the lAtfienic, due in Wellington on March 3, is Corporal P. P. Bleakley, son of ii.: Geo. Bleakley, of Urenui, who will doubtless receive a most hearty welcome homo, such as has been accorded to the other lads who have returned from the late scene of war. Though Wai-ti<i-tol is (not mentioned in !ho itinerary of the Prince of Wales' visit to Taranakl (probably through an oversight) residents, no doubt, will most loyally assist in whatever form of. welcome may be chosen to do honor to our future sovereign in New Plymouth on April 23. There have been some remarkably fine crops of oats harvested In tho district this season, and in view of the prices likely to be obtained for oats and chaff, it is a pity larger areas were not sown. High prices for dairy cows arc still being maintained, owing, no doubt, in a measure to tho prospective high prices for dairy produce dining tho coming season. Sales of good herds have been reported at up to £3O per head, dellvory to be taken In the spring, rigs arc also worth, a lot of money, and a line taken into Urenui last week realised £C 13s 4d each, without bothering to put them on tho scales. Mr. J. H. Wilson, of Urenui, is offering his farm comijrlsinx some 538 acres, by public auclon at Mr. Newton King's Urenui saleyards on March 1. There should be spirited bidding, as the farm Is a good grazing proposition. A largo number of residents visited New Plymouth on Saturday evening last, the attraction being Wlrth'a Circus, which always draws a large number of country visitors. Mr Smith's 'bus was well patronised, and a num. ber of private ears also made the trip. The night being fine, a most enjoyable outing resulted, and all speak In high praise of tho performance. PUNGAREHU. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) Next Sunday a real treat will be provided for local niuslc lovers, when the New Plymouth Citizens' Band will give n band recital at the Recreation Grounds (weather permitting), commencing at 1.30 p.m. The programme being prepared is an attractive ono and should be greeted by a large crowd. A meeting, of the Pungarehu residents was held on Saturday laat, when a few preliminary arrangements were mode lu connection with the band's visit. Gift,!} of cakes and sconea would be most acceptable for the afternoon tea for the band, and these can be . left at the local post office on the day previous to the recital. The Queen Carnival, 6i connection with the coming Opunako Catholic Bazaar, is being forwarded by the supporters of the various candidates. To further support the candidature of tho Pungarehu candidate a successful social and dance was held in the Warea Hall on Thursday last, the whole affair being pronounced as one of the best. The activity of the committee in connection with the Oaonui-Kahotu candidate resulted in another social and dance in her favor in the Qaonui Hall last Friday evening. Owing to various reasons the attendance was very dissappointlng, but those present had tlio time of their lives. Mr. p. Parker supplied tho music, Miss Marshall and Mr. J. Orbell contributing extras. Mr. R. Fleming acted M.C. Considerable indignation has been expressed by the local Maoris at a suggestion that Influenza is prevalent in Parihalta. ■ I understand there are a few cases, but these are considered mild. ones. The health authorities state that there Is no Indication of a recurrence of the epidemic thore, so far; and that there Is nothing, to indicate the presence of an epidemic lu any other place. Mr. D. O'.Drlscoll, of Cape Road, met with a very painful accident one morning lust week. A young horse which he had yoked up along with another to the unllk brake, suddenly bounded forward just as O'Driscoll wa3 in tho act of alighting, with the result that he fell, the wheels passing over both legs and one arm. The sufferer was removed W the New Plymouth Hospital. A meeting of the directors of the Cape Egmont Dairy Co. was held on Thursday afternoon last. It Is expected that the work of t'ormtng tho new road for the convenience of suppliers will be commenced shortly. Miss Manning, of New Plymouth, Is amongst the latest visitors to Pungarehu, and is the guest of Mr. and Mrs., VY. McKenna. Miss Mackay and Miss Miles, who have returned to Pungarehu after their long and pleasant holiday, have again taken over their duties at the looal sohool. " Miss Alrene Pope, having spent a most enjoyable holiday at rungaaehu, left for Wellington on Saturday ovening. IS is to be hoped that residents will subscribe liberally a.nd assist generally towards the erection of the Egmont County memorial to our fallen soldiers. Time is passing and the world soon forgets, and lest we too should forget, the work should be undertaken as soon as possMo. This Is tho last we can do now for those who. fought and died for our preservation—erect a grand people's memorial as a reminder to future generations of ttie heroic deeds of our uuen in the great war of 1914-18. A marked improvement Is shown In the pastures in this and surrounding districts, as the result ,af the recent rains, .though in some CMes the rain possibly came a little late, but it has done a great deal of good. The Ptm£urthu district has been admire*! by visitors for lis greenness compared with other parts. The bushlands in particular are looking well, and stock are In splendid condition. Owing to tho Incessant rain during the past weak, the rivers were in hlt'h hood. The firewood gaithejers had another busy tlime of it. One of the largest dairymen of the Matamata district, predicts that next season the prices for real good dairy cows will be lu the vicinity of EGO. He apparently bases his figure on tue Increased delmand owing to closer settlement, and the Increase in the payments for butter-fat due to the dried milk industry.