DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1920, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

KAIMIRO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) One of Kalmiio's oldest identities jiassed away at the New Plymouth Hospital on October 4th, in the person of Mr. Martin Cash. Mr. Cast' had been a settler in this district for a great many years, and was widely known and greatly respected. Deceased had reached tho good old age ot 78 years. He had been ailijig for some time, and his tie; -ii -vas not unexpected. He is survived by and a grown-up family of three soiv. ■'! ihree daughters, besides a number of for whom deep sympathy is felt llmnjhout the district. Sickness of all kinds is appearing in these parts. I am sorry to I'ave to report that Mrs. J. Hintß is very Ml, while we shall all be pleased to hear that Mrs. Geo. Gilbert Is almost recovered from her very severe ill-

On Sunday last Mrs. Walter Peters entertained a number of parents and children to a party In honor of her twins' birthday. The day was beautifully fine, and the little ones enjoyed themselves Immensely, playing garaas and romping about. In the evening a number of grown-ups came along, and a very pleasant musical evening was spent. A committee of young men and ladles are arranging a "hard-up social," to be held in the halt on Thursday, 21st Inst. Prizes arc to be given for tl:e best hard-up costume. At times like these, when everything Is very expensive, a hard-up social Is just the thing, and I should think there would be no difficulty for everyone coming to have a costume. The grand march should present an amusing sight. Given a fine night a record crowd is expected. Once again we have had the overseer to inspect tire Maungaraka bridge, and once again the label has been replaced by a new one, "'Dangerous for traffic." It Is just three years since tt*o old one was stuck up, but so far nothing has been done. It is very disappointing to the ratepayers to think- that year after year their rates are collected but nothing gets done to «i bridge that is labelled dangerous. It is all very well to label it, but I wonder do the authorities stop to tliink that nearly all the milk supply to the local creamery is forced to pass over tfcat bridge, and some of the suppliers carry very heavy loads. The Egmont lioad is In a very bad state of repair, the worst for some years: Talk about tar-sealing the main roads I Let us get decent by-roads and bridges first. The mountain house is open again, and the motor traffic has been very heavy .since re-open-ing.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Wednesday night last a grand ball was given in tho local hall by the bachelors, In return for one given by the ladles some time ago. The weather was most disappointing, and many of those interested were prevented fram attending, although those in attendance included visitors from New Plymouth and near-by districts. A good supper was provided, and the music, winch was suppiled by Mr. Parker, was everything a yood dancer could wish for. The duties of MC. were undertaken by Mr. F. Barrett. Our by-roads are again breaking up badly, and a foreman would be gladly welcomed. Loose stones and ruts are to lie seen emvwhere. Many farmers during the winter have lieen trying to make improvements of a stable character in their cowsheds, etc,, in which cement lias curtailed in many cases those improvements. Cons ! <lerlng the .Importance of cement In tho development of the country, such as bridges, etc., would It not be a good thing lor tiie State to take up the manufacture of cement, and utilise wherever possible the raw materials at hand? One of the eyesores to a visitor to Pungarehu Is the number of sections of land, particularly Maori land, overgrown with gorse etc. They deserve to have unimproved taxation applied to them. Influenza is still causing a good deal of sickness on the coast, several fresh cases having been reported. This trouble has 110 serious consequences provided proper care is exercised, and exposure to the cold and wet avoided. The latest reports are that (he patients are improving. It is considered that those who catch the infection should bo sent to the hospital, where, under the skilled medical treatment and klndiy nursing received. they quickly recover. The Rev. 0. Aker, of Okato, conducted the service on Sunday, 10th, at the local Methodist Church. ,Tho sermon was on, "What shall u profit a man if he gain tho whole world and lose his own soul!" and was listened to with much attention by those piesent.

Reports go - to show that an unusually large number of pheasants are to be seen and heard in tte back country, so that sportsmen should have a really good time when the next shooting season conies round, providing of course the long-tails do not do the emigrating tr.iCk just ap thG season approaches After an exceedingly good ran of line we»ther, rain set in on Wednesday last, and all growth benefited thereby. It .would prove of great benefit to farmers generally, as the pastures in some localities were beginning to suffer for want of moisture, Dairy supplies are now Increasing rapidly at the various factories along tho coastDocking operations have been In active pursuit by local sheep-owners tills past week, and 011 tie whole it Is expected that the per-' centage will exceed that of last year. Mr, S. Armstrong, who secured one of the sections in the Parlhaka Block, is making some very suitable additions to his residence. He is already supplying the local factory. I am sorry to have to report the death of Mr. John Cook, son of Mr. Paul Cook, of "mil, at the age of 2!) years, iu t | 10 Nw I fyniouth Hospital. His death was caused by being thrown out of his gig, the unfortunate joung fellow receiving very serious Injuries. Much sympathy IS felt for the parents. The Misses Katherine and Phyllis Rogers, of Warea, left last Wednesday for New rivmouth, en route to Itotorua The Raliotu Foothali Club'will shortly hold one of the popular socials !,n tho Ilahotu

The examination of the local school will take place on the 26th inst. "f Generally considered that when the milk of the members of the Dominion's Expeditionary Forces had been repatriated, there would automatically bo released a sufficient number of relumed soldiers to fill the i'cpitted ranks of labor. The expected, ever has not happened, and 11 would seem hat tho position with regard to the supply of < or is Kile if better now than it was isr jear Hiere arc, however, grounds for >e ievmg that tie labor shortage is not really ■■<> acute as 13 generally represented, hut thai he (internment and employers generally will not pay the wages demanded. As matters arc at present, men w-lio can do a good .lav's manual work can select that which carries the highest pay, nor should Ida,me attach to then, for studying their own Interests, and tills l oiirse no doubt will continue until il Is adf by the law of supply and demand, both .18 to skilled and unskilled labor. It is ohour tl at the the shortage of labor the more imperative is the need for renewed vigor on the part of the workers, and t o secure that, I hey must be given & higher v.i uo for their labor. So f, lri no nr | n . tollig.nt effort has been made to place labor on a more satisfactory footing, and the sooner tills is done the better It will be for the (ouiury and the people