DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1920, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. At Okato, another surpriso party, numbering about twenty, and arranged by Miss P. Rogers, of Warea, visited the residence of Mr. and Mrs. R." F. Roebuck, on Monday evening, 12lh .Time. Tlik party was a very bright and merry one, all present thoroughly enjoying themselves." The night was chiefly given r.p to game-:, sinking ••'ic, items being contributed by the Misses Harford and Rogers (:>). A dainty supper was handed round.

As predicted, the L*ap Year social and dance held by the young ladies in the Warea Hall "on Friday evening, 'the '.Gth, was moat successfully carried out. Some thirty couples were present. The hall was nicely decorated with jireenery and spring flowers. The music was supplied by Mr. Pearson (piano), and Mr. Xerris (violin), assisted by Mrs. Beck, and Messrs. Parker and Orbell with extras. The duties of M.'sC. were undertaken by several of the ladies, comprising the committee, and they left nothing undone in attending to the comfort of those present. A bountiful supper was provided, and was accorded full justice by dancers and non-dancers alike. Taken altogether, everything passed off really well, and the ladies are to be complimented upon the success of their efforts.

An attempt was made on Monday night, the 12th, to elect a hall committee here, but probably owing to short notice the attendance was itoo small to make a start. However, those present were determined to have another try. , t.i An Anglican service was conducted,;Jn the hall here on Sunday afternoon, in© 18th, Tjy the Rev. C. Ad'denbrook. A working bee was held at the Catholic Church the other week, and much improvement was effected in the surroundings, hedges being Trimmed and a fresh hedge planted of ake-ake aruond both sides and the rear of the church.

The new blacksmith shop has now been opened at Ptmgarehu, after a break of some months.

Mr. P. W. Grenfell, at the Cape Egmont • lighthouse, has received notice of his transfer to Centre Island. His place will be taken by Mr. G. T. Simmonds, who comes from Mokau Hinon lighthouse.

A large number of people from Pungarehu went to the plain arid faneyj dress social and dance under the aus" pices of the 1.0.0.P., held at Rahotu on Wednesday evening, the 14th. There was a record attendance. With Parker's orchestra, and the attentive M.'sC, dancing was thoroughly enjoyed. A horse, the property of Mr. R. Iteming, straying on the Cape Road, was run into by a motor car the other Sunday evening, and was so badly injured that it had to be destroyed. ' Miss M. Barrett returned to Ptmgarehu on Saturday night last, after spending a few months' holiday in different parts of the North Island. The first lambs of the season, so far as Pungarehu is concerned, made their appearance last week on.Mrs. Barrett's farm.

Sickness in varying forms has, been rather prevalent of late in tlie coastal districts. So far there have only been isolated cases of illness, and that these have been fairly numerous is., probably due to the extremely trying weather experienced, which has been so conducive to severe colds.

Miss C. Keasberry, relieving postmistress at Pungarehu post office for the past few months, has returned to Wellington. Miss Keasberry, who has earned the respect of the public during the time she lias been in charge of the post office, will be much missed. Mrs. Martin, who succeeds her, has arrived and taken over her new duties. In all directions and in several countries there exists at the present time a very dangerous tendency to gamble in land. So much has been made of the cry, "back to the land," and to such high prices havagpthe primary products soared, that inflation was bound to be in evidence, especially as thousands of those who have been, engaged in the late war- are turning to an outdoor life, and swelling the rapidly increasing number of applicants for land. The effect is felt mostly in dairying districts, not so much by reason of the lure of profits from butter, cheese and meat, but from the vision of greatly increased returns from by-products such as dried milk, and sugar of milk. So long as the demand for increased production can be met by more intense energy, the application of scientific methods, and tho use of the best labor-saving devices', the country's prosperity will be assured, and the country will progress on sane lines and the value of land will rise accordingly, but so surely as land values are unduly inflated by speculators and those who are gambling on prospective profits from by-products, which may be akin to castles in the air, when a slump comeg there will be a'day of reckoning, which will spell disaster.

TATARAIMAKA. Owing to the inclemency of the weather last Thursday evening, the basket social organised by the residents of Tat&raimaka in aid of the JPukekura Park Fund was not as well attended as it might have been, but all present spent a most enjoyable time. An apology was read from Mrs. Burgess, Mr. Stainton, and party, who were unable to attend owing to the weather. The hall was tastefully decorated, and the floor was in splendid order. Excellent music was Supplied by MessTs. Pearson and Morris. Much praise is due to Mr. Norman Jones, who auctioned the baskets, also to the Oakura Hall Committee for the free use of the hall. The ■ fund should benefit by about £2O.