DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MATAU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The committee of the Matau. Ratepayers' and Settlers' Association instituted a search of the district adjoining the Kiore-Matau for the purpose of locating .metal in workable quantities. The party was accompanied by Mr. Strombon, of Whangamomona, local district engineer of the Public Works Department, and examined deposits on the. properties of Messrs. E. Evans, W. Smellle, ,T. F. Ritchie, H. Hobbs, and A. G. Stewart. Only two of the deposits proved to be of any extent, the shell rock deposit on Mr, Stewart's at Kiore, and blue flint on Mr. Evan's property at Matau. The question of raising a special loan is to be discussed now that it has been ascertained that metal is obtainable.

It is reported that yet another property has been sold under the Returned Soldiers' Settlement Act. This makes the seventh property in our small community that has been purchased under the above Act. and it certainly speaks well for the district that so many properties have passed the Land Department's stringent test. Without doubt the district has a good prospective value, being one of the few corners In the North Island which has not been exploited. The- ddrying season is now In full awing, and the Maoriland Dairy Company's wagon has all it can do to cope with the cream supply.

Docking operations are now completed, and percentages have been phenomenal and losses extremely small.

{Several settlers have commenced shearing operations, and it will not be long before others will follow suit, many being anxious to get their clips to the first sale at Wanganul.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) In common with other parts of the Dominion we have been experiencing some extremely rougl:; weather during the past few weeks and 'fatminj; operations hove) been somewhat curtailed, Tho milk supply also received a slight check, but with better conditions probable In tho near future an improvement may again be looked forward to.

Now that there is every probability that the whole of the dairy produce will shortly be granted a free .market and again come into open consignment with produce from other countries, the necessity for doing every thing possible to maintain and, if possible, improve the high reputation built up after many years of hard work is most imperative. This fact Is being recognised by the majority of dairy farmers and factory direclors.

Mr. Hector Campbell has secured some GO acres on tho Cape Road, and intends building thereon, and will also supply the local factory this season. This should be good for the local factory suppliers, as every farm lying idle as regards milk production is a direct handicap to tho community. While working in the factory the other week, ono of the employees had the misfortune to fall down the stairs leading to the packing room, necessitating his going to Now Plymouth hospital for treatment. He is reported as doing well. Friday, November 5, was the 39th anniversary of tho capture of Parihafca, the famous old Maori settlement, and military post in Taranakl, situated in the vicinity of Pungarehu. It was taken without bloodshed by a force of constabulary and volunteers on November 5, 1881. To Whlti and Tohu were amongst those captured. "Guy Fawke's Day" was commemmorated hero with the usual letting off of fireworks, although there Is now a noticeable absence of the hilarity and skylarking usually connected with this particular day. Influenza and bad throats are causing \ lot of sickness down this way. The school attendance has dropped considerably owing to the malady. The bulk of tho cases are of a mild variety. (

Mr. P. W. Grenfell, who has been transferred to Central Island lighthouse, was farewelled by a gathering of friends at Pungarehu, and presented with a case of pipes. A pleasant evening was spent by all present. Mr. Grenfell while hore gained the goodwill of all who came into contact with, him officially, and his unfailing courtesy has always been greatly appreciated. He will be greatly missed around these parts.

The concert and dance set down for Friday evoning, tho 12th., has been altered for Wednesday evening, the 17th., in order not to clash with other functions in near&y districts.

TI:o service in the local Methodist Church on Sunday last was conducted by Mr. T. P. Hughson, of Rahotu.

Some comment has been made recently regarding the methods adopted by Dr. Gunn In "knocking out" the teeth of children during her'recent inspection. In reference to the "knocking nut of teeth," this expression Is suggestive of a pugilistic exhibition, or of a hammer and chisel display. In justice to Dr. Gunn, an explantion Is necessary. When examining mouths tie doctor found many .loose or decaying' teeth, which she removed by a slight presssurc of .a spatula made of soft wood. In most Instances the operation was so painless that the patient walks away smiling. In fact, any crying is duo more to anticipation of untold torture rather than to realisation. Incidentally, I might mention that she gives valuable instruction on her visits and suggestions respecting hygienic conditions of pupils and schools. Quite a number of motor carp, were on the road to New Plymouth on Saturday, the Cth., the attraction being the sports postponed from Labor Day.