DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

OKATO. (From Our Own Correspondent). A welcome social was tendered recently In the local Methodist church to Eev. and Mrs. Alter. There was a representative gathering, Rev. C. Strand, minister of Opunake, presiding a vocal and instrumental programme was tendered by local talent, and by visitors from Opunake and Bahotu. Mr. Hughson, circuit steward, on behalf of the circuit, and Kir. Roebuck for the local church, tendered a. warm welcome, Mr. Aker suitably replied. A presentation was made to Mr. and Mrs. King, who were In charge of the work of the church during the past three years. Mr. Roebuck presented Mrs. King with a handsome silver teapot. Ho referred in appreciative terms to her good work in the church and Sunday school, also during the epidemic. In presenting Ift. King with a fine Petone rug he spoko of his good work and wished them good success. The recipient thanked their kind friends for their gifts, also for the help and encouragement given during their work. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the harvest festival. services in the local Anglican- church had to be postponed for a week. The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion with fruit and flowers. An impressive service was conducted by the vicar (Eev. Addenbrooke). PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The social and dance held in the Warea hall, on Wednesday, the 21st. Inst., in aid of Pun- , garehu candidate for the forthcoming queen carnival at Opunake, was pronouueed one of the most enjoyable which has taken place. In a4ditlon to a, big muster of local residents there was a' large contingent of visitors from surrounding districts. Mr. P. Parker (piano) and Mr. P. Norrls (violin) sunplled delightful music. Mr. J. Orbell contributed an extra. Mr. T. Barrett acted as M.C. In his usual efficient manner. Supper was handed round during an interval. Another social and dance on behalf of the above candidate will be held at Pungarchu early in May. Great inconvenience is felt in some particular cases by dairy farmers, owing to the difficulty of getting enough benzine. For example, one man hud to milk 25 to 30 cows by hand without assistance, as he had no benzine, for his engine. Many others have to do their milking by hand, which is the next thing to slavery, seeing that herds have been largely incrensed owing to the tremendously liicreased working capacity obtained by machine milking. The social and dance under the Auspices of the Rahotu-Oaonul Candida to committee eventuated ou Friday night last at the hall, Oaonul. The function proved most successful, and all who patronised it spent a good time.. The duties of M.C. were carried out by, Messrs E. Fleming and J. Klrkwood. Mr. P. Parker played'for'the dances, a sufficient guarantee of the quality of tho music, and he was ably assisted, with extras by Mr. J. Orbell. An excellent supper was provided, sucli as Oaonul Is justly noted for. The new road recently formed, leading to the local factory. Is now receiving the attention of the crusher and road roller. The road will be in readiness within a few days' time and will be found very convenient for those suppliers to the south of the factory. The shooting season In tho Tnranaki districts opens next Saturday. Several localises report a fair number of pheasants, wnlle quail are also fairly numerous. The milk supply to the factory Is now showing a decided decrease, so much so that supplies will only be received every second (lay, Friday, 30th Inst., being the first off (lay. The staff will be further depleted, as two more hands are to be paid off this woelt. Tho practice game of football at Kahotu on Saturday. last between an A and B team resulted In a substantial win for the A team ■by 28 points'to. 8. , The football season opens on Saturday next ut the Domain, Rnhotu, when the Rahotu juniors play a'' match with the Star juniors The senior team travel to Okato to try. conclusions with the Okato fifteen. From what one can gather the Rahotu Club possess good average teams'this winter. The Committee who are working on behalf of the Pungarehu Candidate Intend holding; another social and dance in her favor shortly. Particulars will bo advertised. Anzae Day was commemorated by a short memorial • service in tho Rahotu Public. Hall, the Rev, C. Addenbrooke officiating. . Efforts are being made to form a strong comnilttee to imake arrangements for the forthcoming fancy dress ball, to bo held In the local hall, and a meeting of (hose interested will be held shortly for this purpose.' The by-roads, which have been getting very bad. arc now. receiving tho attention of the crusher, so that we hope to have decent roads for the coming winter. Mr. J. Rutherford has decided to cut up his property on the Lower Parlhaka road. Surveyors have also been engaged subdividing land on Pungarehu road. Mr. W. Ross, of the factory staff, is at present an inmate of (he New Plymouth Hospital, being down with influenza. We all sincerely trust that his stay in the Institution will not be a lengthy one. and that he will soon be well and strong again. Mrs. Fox, along with Mrs Mason, both of New Plymouth, are at present spending a short holiday In Pungarehu. Miss .T. Clark, of Wellington, is also spending a few weeks' holiday here. On Wodnesday morning last a coldish sow'easter with a drizzle sprang up and further assisted dairy cows towards the close of the season. The demand for land In this locality is as keen as ever, and it almost seems doubtful if the hunger will ever he satisfied. Prices are still on , the upward tendency. Stock generally arc also looking well, and no apprehension Is felt, as regards' tho coming winter. Dairymen are steadily improving tholr herds, and several good additions have lately been made. The stock market remains firm, and good prices are being obtained for quality sheep and cattle. There is a very keen demand for lambs just now. An optimistic tone prevails among dairymen in regard to the prospeots for next season. It is anticipated that butter-fat will realise about 3s per lb. flood dairy cows are expected to touch £3O per head by the time the new season opens. ' . Influenza has mode its roappnrance at Warea, and several cases have been reported. The Warea school has been closed as a precautionary measure. Messrs. S Taylor and F. Smith have left for a. tour in the Waikato, where advantage will be taken of the shooting season. There are quite a number of Industrious young farmers In this locality anxiously waiting for the opening up of the Parlhaka Block.

DOUGLAS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) In common with other parts of Taranakl, Dobglas has experienced ('wring the paat week or so a very wet, cold spell that will retard the autumn growth of feed which up to the present has been very satisfactory. Last.Wednesday erailng, April 21st., a welcome social was tendered to the Itev. and Mrs. A. L. Wltheford and family, who have just arrived, from Cromwell, Central Otago, to take charge or the Methodist Church here. Mr. A. N'ecdham, who piloted the proceedings, also Mr. Walters, spoke a few words of welcome, to which Mr, Wltheford suitably replied. A very nice musical programme was got up for the occasion, after the rendering of which, supper was handed .rcund, followed hy games for the young folks. Considering the inclament weather, a very fair number of householders met at tho school to elect a committee for tho ensuing year. Mr. H. B. Wilmshurst was voted to tlie chair. The outgoing committee's report and balance-sheet was very satisfactory, th** balanco in hand being £2l 2s. Eight nominations were received for the five seats on the new committee. As a result of the poll which was taken, the chairman declared Messrs. H. E. Wilmshurst, G. F. Chapman, .1. Brown, Alf. Needham, and .T. Itogers duly elected. The new committee elected Mr. Wilmshurst, chairman, and Mr. Chapman, secretary, for the ensuing year.