DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

RATAPIKO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Friday, November nth, a social and dance was hold in the RaUpiko school, to extend a welcome to the soldiers who had recently settled In the district. The school was prettily decorated with greenery, and a large "Welcome" hung across the end. Much credit is due to the girls who carried out this work, namely, Misses Alios Heatley, Vera Clougb, anil Myrn Wilson. The dance music was supplied hy Miss Hogan, piano, and Sir. Trigs:, violin, whilst Mr. (Irlgg made an efficient M.C. In spite of the unfavorable weather the dance proved a wonderful success, the floor being In splendid order. After a dainty supper hud been served, Mr. Chas. Therkleson welcomed the soldier., to our district. Mr. James suitably rej.lied, and the soldiers and their wives were then given three real "Itataplko" cheers. Mr. Ray, of Tarikl, Miss Hogan, and. Mr. Jack Howard contributed songs. Amongst tho soldiers present I noticed: Mr. and Mrs. Harwood, Mr. and Mrs. Le Bias, Air. and Mrs. Gr.noway, Mr. and J(rs. Middl&miss, Mr. and Mrs. Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Corbeit, Messrs. Lange, Jswnes (2), Simpson, Downs, and Lepper. the weather out this way has been very boisterous, and the cold winds are not helping the cows to keep up their reputations. Most of the farmers are busy with the plough, and the weather is not lending to make that job any more pleasant. The school children are busy paretislng for their annual concert, which takes place In about a week's time. Miss Alice Heatley has been nominated to represent Ratapiko In the Queen Carnival competition which is being held among the country districts. A social was held last week to raise funds, and a most successful evening took place. On Saturday, December 11th, a Country Fair will bo held In Inglewood. Our committee out here are working very hard, and are confident of placing their candidate at lue head of the poll, PUNGAREHU. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) •Agriculturally matters are good along the coast. Dairying is .making excellent headway, fre suppliers to the several factories being in excess of other years, although the weather at times Is very much Inclined to remind one of mid-winter. Sheep and lambs are reported to be doing well, and shearing is now in progress. ft Is considered th.it iambs will bring big values this year, mostly on account of the prospect of doing good business with America. The erratic weather coming at this particular time Is not Telished by sheepowners. There seems to be a tendency on l+e part of all woolgrowors not to send their clips forward for forthcoming sales, the reason being the unsettled state of the market At the present time there Is no demand for i coarse wool. It is questionable' whether the reserves placed on some of the consignments equal the price realised during the requisition will bo reached. It will not be known definitely until the sales are held. Dairymen generally are now busy getting tho land ready for autumn feed, without which the producers, of butter-fat decline to keep up the supply of milk, wh'ieh makes tho 20th of each month a day to be looked forward to. Various kinds of crops are constantly being tried, and each year one rears of fresh grasses or routs which aro claimed to he the best. There are many who consider that a good paddock of pasture Is the best asset of the lot, as besides producing rich and succulent pasture for tho. rattlo during the dry period, a crop of hay or ensilage- can be taken off it before It is necessary to use it for grazing. This reminds mo of a most interesting article which appeared in an Issue of the Farmer, and which should prove of gr»at vi'.ue to ensilage makers, and if the process given in the paper is followed In this country it w'll revolutionise the curing of this class or winter fodder. It would appear that tv the introduction of the bacilli culture tiio tactic acid is developed and the alcohol contained In the ensilage is destroyed, learin- 'ntact the sugar and starch, and the feeding value Is thus increased by 50 per cent. Anitr»r advantage gained by this process is that oil loss by decay and mould Is eliminated and as a small vial of the culture introduced into three hogsheads of water is sufllcleat to cure 200 tons of ensilage, the cost cannot be great. The horse is being, gradually superseded hy motor power in Tarannki vear after year and in the not very distant future will be rarely met with as regards team and farm Taylor Bros, have sold their fine property at a satisfactory figure. They aro well respected settlers, and if they leave the dlsrlct will be much missed, having always m J a . , the foro ln nss!stin e ia furtrering the district's welfare. Mr. Eli Taylor was a director of the local Dairy Company. It s to be hoped they will re-purchaso again In this locality. There is at present a great shortage of ™,™ »»«'■««■ of employment, and many essential industries are seriously handicapped, and there does not appear to be any silver lining to tho cloud. The following report has been received on the recent examination at the local school: -Reading, very good; recitation, very good; spelling, very good; comprehension, derlva- .!!' ?f'' So ° a *° very 800 d: very fair to good; grammar, good; writing tJTf' em: •"I"'""'"'-. frod: mental arithmetic, good; geography, good; history sood; drawing, very good; singing, good tone; needlework, very good; order discipline, and tono. of the school, very goodfiencral efficiency, very good; buildings and grounds, fair. The work in both departments continues to be carried out on sound lines and. the teachers are to be commended on the results obtained. A pleasing feature was he solid foundation laid in the preparation classes. A highly successful concert was given by the school children of Itahotu on Wednesday evening, ire ISth inst., assisted by a few adults. The financial results of the conZ 7!fV, ery siltlsfM ' OT S'- Subsequent to the part taken by the children a pleasant dance was held for the grown ups. Mamwent from l'ungarenu and, helped with the success of the evening.