DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

RATAPIKO. (From Our Own Correspondent). It seems a long time since we read anything In your columns concerning Rataplko. Still we seem to be very much alive out liere in the ■"vvaybai'ks." The agents are having a very busy time in the district, ami nuite :i number of the farms are changing hands. Mr. A. Frasor, whoso farm has been purchased for the soldiers, is leaving us shortly. We wish him the best of luck in his new abode. The earning election is being discussed very freely. Both candidates seem tc have strong supporters in our midst. The Sports club will hold their sports meeting in Mr. Maratti's paddock oil Easter Monday. The pony Jump Is causing considerable excitement amongst the boys, and they all .seem confident of Hiring a good exhibition when the sth comes round. The committee have been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Cawley, of Tarlkl, to act as judge for the horse' events. A fine day Is now all that is required to make the initial meeting a success. There are quite a lot of cars In the district | now, and they mmke the little "clly" look very busy and prosperous. There must be something In "cow spanking" after ail I • ! PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The best combination of artists to appear In Piitigurehu for many a day was La Frances' entertainers, which played in the local hull on Saturday, tiie 25th March. The attendance was scarcely up to expectations, prouubly owing to lack of publicity. The social and dance held In the Itahotu hall on Friday evening Inst in support of the candidature of Miss Molly Fleming af the Catholic Queen Carnival was a social and financial success. Visitors were present from Ononul and Puugarehu. Excellent dance music was supplied by Mr. P. Parker, extras being contributed by Miss M. Burns and Mr. J. Orbell. Mr. It. Fleming carried out the duties of M'C. in a capable manner. A dainty supper was provided and added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening. The lack of telephone connections is Sndly felt by residents of the coastal districts, especially by the different dairy companies. The people of Pungarohu and Rahotu, in particular, are long and patient sufferers in this connection. The writer has ascertained that quite a number of residents are willing and anxlI ous to become subscribers. This Is surely a matter calling for urgent consideration by the., telegraph department. An Interesting Maori wedding took' placo at Parihaka a few days ago, accompanied by the usual Maori festivities. On Sunday last services were conducted in the local Methodist and Anglican Churches, Rev. C. Strand and Rev. C. Addenbrooke officiating respectively. The new road to the local dairy factoryhas been formed, but the laying of the foundation cannot bo commenced until the County Council's cruser arrives. It will start operations upon the by-roads.

A conwnitteo has been formed locally for the purpose of arranging a farewell social and dance to be given Mrs. IS, Pope, who leaves for Wellington next week. The function Is expected to take place on the sth or 6th of tills month. Mr. S. Dimbridge. who has left the local' dairy company, left for New Plymouth on Saturday morning. The sale of second-hand timber and old Iron conducted by Newton King on Friday rooming last, drew a fair crowd. A satisfactory sale resulted. Orchards in any way exposed suffered severely from the high wind which prevailed over the week-end. The owner of a local orchard ho been kept busy picking up fruit, the majority of which has been affected by the storm. Land speculation is the most profitable business In this country, and the Walkato Is the district for the speculator. Dried milk hns been responsible for some of the phenomenal increases in Walkato dairying land, and the fortunes which have come to thp lucky farmer speculators. Years ago It was said, unjustly of coursa, that any fool can bo a farener, and in these hard times any fool can still ho a. farmer, but noit for long. To be a successful farmer one must ho a shrewd, level-headed business man,-with n full realisation of his importance as a producer for the common weal.'* The lilgh prices of land makes it incumbent that every acre is farmed, and farmed properlv, and there is no room on the farm for the "muddier." Mr. Newton King's weaner fnk and cattle sale at Rahotu last Friday, attrMted a large entry. Buyers had a good assortment to choosft from, high prices being realised. At Rahotu hall on Friday night last, the gas" suddenly wont out while the lancers were In full swing, comlnß to ltfo again about ten minutes afterwards. From the standpoint of the Taranaki man on the land, affairs agriculturally and pastorally are all that can bo desired. The butter-fat returns on the const will probably be a record for February and March over a similar period of any previous season.