DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1920, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The social evening held in Hie Pungarehu Hall on Wednesday night, tile 17th, was fairly well attended. The time, was spent very pleasantly v.-iiii vocal and musical items, wh!cl-, combined with dancing and Ijright pleasantries, imparted zeal to a long night. The concert in Itself, though short, lacked nothing in qii.iliiy. and every item was keenly enjoyed, whilst the supper, supplied by the ladies, fully maintained the district's reputation. There is every Indication that the 1(120 Christmas dinner will cost constal people a great ileal more than that of any of the war years. One of tie most important features of the Christmas dinner is the traditional plum pudding. It appears that all California!! dried and canned fruits are in short supply, owing to prohibitive prices, and likely to roina'n so (or some lime to come. Candied peel is another essential ingredient to every rood Christmas pudding, and here again- supplies are short. The sugar shortage Is directly responsible for this. In addition to difficulties of obtaining supplies, the high rate or exchange las brought about a great Increase In the cost of all American goods. Rents are extremely high, and notwithstanding the fact that the property boom In New Zealand commenced as fur back as 1916 prices appear to be still advancing. Two in-, stances may be cited of sales. In one ofj these cases a property was purchased at £OOO, and as -die owner was transferred to another place he re-sold at £llOO. The Oilier case is Hat of a property soW at £I9OO and re-sold a few weeks loter at £2200, The Tier. C. Aker took the service at the Methodist Church on Sunday, 21st, the Rev. Addenbrooke conducting the Anglican service on (he same day. There has been, and is still, a great amount of sickness among children through out the coastal districts, whooping couch being most prevalent. It is reported that influenza has made Its re-appearance at Parlhnka. The land hunger, -which for some time past has made Itself manifest he£e, shows no signs of abating, and land agents are to be seen with their clients almost every other day. There was a very large yarding of all classes of stock at .Mr. Newton King's Rnliotu >ards on Friday, l!ltl\ Though prices were slightly easier In some lines, there Is still a big demand for ail kinds showing good quality. Jersey heifers fetched big money, and it is ciident that this breed is becoming more popular than ever. The weather lately l-.as at thues been very boisterous, causing considerable damage to fruit trees in local orchards.