DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-701-TOU (From Our Own Correspondent). In spite of tile iraost inclement weather the Urutl Beach Races annual ball, held in the Urenut Hall on Wednesday evening last, was largely attended. The music was provided bv the Waitara orchestra, which contributed to the success ot the ball, whilst the M.'sC. (Messrs. C. Rumball and G. N. Skelton) were most attentive to the visitors. During the evening a very enjoyable supper was handed rcjitnd. and reflected every credit on the caterers, Messrs. Dunbar. Mr. Newton King held a very successful dairy heifer sale at his Uremil yards on Thursday last. The demand is still keeping up anil high prices being maintained, Jersey weaner calves fetching up to £l2 to £l3, buyers evidently having every faith in the high prices expected to be realised for produce for some time to come. Repeated enquiries are being made In the district for dairy herds and during the week a line of between twenty and thirty cows is reported to have been quitted at £2B per head. Those farmers who have stuck to the Jersey strain and introduced well-bred bulls Into their herds arc reaping the benefit of theli enterprise, as buyers are tumbling over one another to secure this class of cattle. Mr. W. Freeth recently sold his trotting mare Hula Girl for £IOO, and has another by Hula, from his brood mare Ruby, In training He is also hacking another likely looking mare out of the same dam, and has been repeatedly asked to put a price on her. Tie Bticcess which attended the Taranakl Trotting Club's recant meeting will do a lot to encourago the breeding of this useful clas3 of horse In North Taranakl, and future fixtures will no doubt receive every support from owners and the public. It 13 reported that Mr. Walker has disposed of his farm hear Uremil at a satlsfac- ■ tory figure. and Mr. J. Wallace, late of Inglewood, has also completed the purchase of the adjoining property from Mr. Creene. The Wal-toi-toi estate has also changed hands at a figure considerably In advance of that at , which It was offered to the Government some twelve months ago. I understand the new owners aro intending to milk some 150 cows during the ensuing season, which will he ot great assistance to the local dairy factory, us in the" past they have been placed somewhat at a'disadvantage through a limited supply, though having a building and plant cap* able'of dealing with.a much larger quantity of milk. I understand that negotiations are being entered Into for the sale of a couple more local properties, and tho amount of land that has changed hands In tlus locality during the past twelve months must easily constitute a record, while a cheque for the commission would enable the holder to hnve a fairly decent holiday, in spite of the high cost of travelling. Klko Kiko, who has been in traiUng up till recently, Is now being spelled at his owner's (Mr. W. Qordon-Glassford) faiwi, whilst Mr. Geo. Baker has turned Takanganul nut. Old Speedwell Mac, who was a competitor at the recent beach races. Is now being hacked about by his owner, Mr. Lennard, of Mangamahoe, and will no doubt be seen sporting silk again In a few months. There have been some exceptionally fine lines of fat sheep and bullocks passing through on their way to the works recently, and their condition speaks well for tiie grazing quality of the back country. Though the weather for the Easter nolidays was all that could be desired, it is doubtful

if there was the same amount" of tourist traffic as In previous years. Shortage of benzine would no doubt account for this, and I have noticed one or two ' owners of private cars who havo resorted to the old liorso and gig as a means of locomotion. Hand-mllklng la also being taken on amongst tho dairy herds for the same reason, and it Is reported that two or three farmers are seriously contemplating substituting horse power for their oil engines to enable them to keep tholr milk-ing-machines going. It will be a red letter day for the district wlten the hydro-electricity scheme eventuates, and tho sooner it nrrlvcs the better I hear that the Okoke School Committee intend giving the children attending the schools In that district a day in New Plymouth on tho occasion of the Prince of Wales' visit to tho capital city of Taranakl. It Is probable that other schools will also take advantage of the opportunity to see His Royal Highness and spend the remainder of the day In enjoying the attractions of the town. The idea is an excellent one, and will give the youngsters something to talk about in years to come. Should the weather prove propitious there is little dount New I"yinuutl' -.vil i- 'tiled to overflowing on this memorable occasion.