DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU, {Prom Our Own Correspondent.) The epidemic is somewhat rife all along the coast, ant! several school committees have been considering the advisability of closing tho schools for a time. As a precautionary measure, nil meetings, socially or otherwise, arranged to take place withln> the next week or two have also been put oft Miss I. Miles Is being given charge of the Pungarehu School during the absence of the head tenrher on sick leave. Mrs. K. M. hold the position temporarily. The Rahotu senior team journeyed to Okato on Saturday last and sustained defeat at the hands of the local team by nine points to nil Rome of the Rahotu's advertised team were unable to travel. The Junior team likewise, mef. defeat at Rnhotu by 12 points to 3. tho Star Juniors opposing them. Owing to the unfavorable weather on Monday, the 2fith April, no. imeeting of householders took place here, consequently no new committee has been elected. The fine weather is very favorable to ToadJn? operations. *and great activity is noticeable on all sides.

Several chances in owiiershin ore pending In and arourtd the locality. While there are many who believe land to be extremely high In price there are others who believe that, with more cultivation and attention to culling of herds, the land round here can reach high prices, and still bo profitable to the purchaser.

A ponstnl resident Vho recently visited Pnlmerston, Wnn&nnul. nnd the Hnwke's Bnv towns hns returned with the conviction that they con shop mors economically in almost every lino in New Plymouth, than oisewherfi. The bl(»er the shop In the outside centres mi. (!er " le " r!(1es ' the resident remarked, There was a general exodus from PungnTeliu on Monday morning last en route to New Plymouth .to join in the welcome to the Prince. In spite of the benzine shorta-*, most motor car owners were out with their cars. With tho exception of the factory Oil places were closed for the day. Thd factory started running every other day from the Ist inst. Thore Is a fair ouantity of imilk still being received Unfortunately for the staff Monday fell on a working day, the Prince's Div

Last week the Maoris held a tangl in accordance with custom over the dead body of a native woman. The burial took place oil Sunday at the Parihakit cemetery, The spread of gorse and blackberry around this locality is again attracting attention The matter has also been agitating the minds of the Eginont County Council for some considerable time past. Noxious weeds will never be eradicated or even held in check by Act of Parliament. What Is wanted Is less speculation In farm lands. The bonaflde farmer who Intends to make a farm his homo will tackle the blackherry aind gorsc In the same way as the early settlers tackled the bush lands, and beat It back bit by bit. There is no other way. while the speculator will do otherwise, and the next, victim will pay him for it. So long as land prices are soarinc blackberry will flourish. Let a slump crone and no one can afford to sell they will then make tho best of what they have got. and by improvements try and bring it up to the value they paid for it • '

Dairy farmers In this and surrounding districts hove no reason to complain of the present season, which, on the whole, has been ii very good one. Practically every dairy factory along the coast shows a substantial illcrease jn tho quantity of milk received 'nst season. The tests are high, while bVcr duality milk is being delivered bv suppliers this being duo no doubt to the more modera methods adopted on most dalrv farms This season Is expected to extend to a period not anticipated earlier 1n the year. Next season should prove a record one as far as Pungarehu is concerned, owing to'more land belne put to dairying, thus increasing the sunnlv of milk. , Owing to the increase of Influenza eases at Oaonul. the social and dance In aid of the school funds has been postponed indefinitely.